Hope Springs Eternal, 9 inches by 12 inches, pastel on paper

Alright—picture this: a single dandelion, soft yellow and stubborn, pushing up through a crack in the sidewalk. That’s the heart of this piece. I used a combination of hard and soft pastels to really bring out the contrast—those gritty concrete greys, rough and tired, pan pastels for the pebbles, and then bam, this burst of color, like it just refused to be ignored.

Spring vibes all the way. You can feel the warmth creeping in, the kind that makes you believe things are starting fresh. There’s something hopeful about how nature just doesn’t give up, even in the least welcoming places. Like, this little weed didn’t ask for permission—it just showed up and bloomed anyway.

I didn’t want it to feel too perfect or polished. The sidewalk’s uneven, there’s a little dirt, maybe even some chalk smudges nearby—stuff that says real life. It’s not about being grand or dramatic, it’s more like… quiet strength. That kind of resilience that just is, without needing a big speech about it.

Honestly, it reminds me that growth can happen anywhere. Even when things feel stuck or cracked, there’s still a shot at something bright pushing through.

This painting is available for $520.00 (plus postage) and if you’d like to add this to your collection, please get in touch. Follow me on Facebook at Beth Lowell Artist, and Instagram at Betha_Lowell, and if you just landed here by happenstance, I invite you to subscribe to my newsletter, right from the home page!