Her flower stand was open night and day on Roanoke Ave. in Seattle. A small generator powered the lights beneath her umbrellas. It was Vivian’s property but the City didn’t want a business on it. To me, Vivian is the heart and soul of Seattle at night. To capture the setting for this painting, I worked from photographs taken during the day and returned at night to study the lighting. These days you will find Vivian in her shop just East of her old location. Now inside, warm at last, she is the same friendly, helpful person who loves working with the symbol of our greatest affection; her flowers.