Joie de Vivre

Inspired by the splendor of Napa Valley, Joie de Vivre depicts artist Michael Flohr
and his wife Melissa enjoying one the many beautiful vineyards’ views with friends. In this
painting Flohr wanted to capture “That experience in which one forgets about everything
but that moment in time; a place where escaping travelers return home.” Flohr remembers
taking it all in: the dance of flavors between wine and food, the scent of the flowers tipped
on the edges of warm grapevines and the sun’s lasting sensation on bare skin–anything of
sensual agency contributed to his experience. Joie de Vivre reminds viewers to be present in
moments of happiness, without anticipation of where it starts and ends.
Flohr uses gentle yet distinct strokes to safely nestle the scene within his mosaic of
colors and close up abstraction. Their interplay is not maintained by ambitious intent but
serves to mirror serene states of flow. Flohr masterfully avoids the sometimes-forceful
implications of bright pallets. Instead, he caresses viewers in a tempered glow. You are not
wanting to go–not wanting to leave that place where desire, emotion and contentment
coexist. Flohr’s artwork is always a balance of gesture and color. In Joie de Vivre he has
wonderfully captured a potent state of romance and peace.