Monstera Deliciosa No. 1 Contemporary Painting by Susan Havens

Details

Description

A contemporary botanical still life inspired by the Monstera deliciosa growing in our New Orleans courtyard. Also commonly known as … Read more A contemporary botanical still life inspired by the Monstera deliciosa growing in our New Orleans courtyard. Also commonly known as a split-leaf philodendron, its enormous cut leaves have a naturally graphic, almost sculptural presence that I wanted to exaggerate through scale and color.

"Thriving in our humid subtropical climate here in New Orleans, ours loves to live low in the shade of other plants in the courtyard. We are lucky it has survived the past four years, and I often cut individual leaves for instant centerpieces of tropical foliage. They are particularly sculptural when arranged simply in a glass bowl."

A footed glass leech bowl, whose rounded form and pedestal base provide an unexpected contrast to the oversized tropical foliage. Painted in saturated turquoise, the bowl becomes almost as much a part of the composition as the plant itself.

"The texture created by the spray paint is especially interesting to me in this painting. I begin with an intention, but the material has a way of producing something unexpected—and often better. Areas of overspray, pooling, speckling, and irregular surface texture give the glass bowl and foliage a depth that I would not get by trying to completely control the paint."

Deep botanical greens and turquoise are set against a saturated citron-yellow ground. The limited palette emphasizes the leaves' shapes and gives the traditional botanical still life a bold, contemporary presence.

This painting is as much about the paint's physical character as it is about the Monstera itself—combining a familiar plant from my New Orleans courtyard, an antique glass vessel, and the unexpected effects that happen when spray paint is allowed some freedom.

Specifications
• Type: Original painting, one of one
• Medium: Spray paint and white ink on Birsol paper, unframed
• Year: 2026
• Artist: Susan Havens
• Size: 18" x 24"
• Color Palette: Citron Yellow, Deep Green, Emerald Green, Turquoise, and Teal

––– Artist Bio ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Susan Havens is a New Orleans–based artist who holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. With over 27 years of experience as a graphic designer, art director, and creative director, her work reflects a refined understanding of composition, color, and visual storytelling.

Her artwork is held in private collections and has been placed in residences, private clubs, and hospitality environments by interior designers, and has been featured at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art in New Orleans. See less