Painting on canvas always inspires me to think outside the box regarding composition. I used gouache to give body and texture to the background and then used watercolour to obtain a watery effect for the bamboo which runs down the right hand side. I wanted to pay close attention to the profusion of curling petals of the single stem chrysanthemum as it is such dramatic flower. I thought it would be fun to fill the left hand bottom corner with colours from the painting in an abstract block formation. I have matched these colours and elements with the dahlia painting as left and right pieces. However they are both stand alone art-works too and easily fit in with any classic colour scheme or great as a gift, maybe for a golden wedding present.