Tucked at the bottom of a hill in Laguna Beach is a 1924 house that is now home to Christie's originals. The location is fitting - the Pacific Ocean is just a stones throw from the cottage, while an extensive row of art galleries, antique shops and gourmet eateries are close by. "I chose the cottage because it is a refuge for me, a place where I can come with an idea for a painting and create," Christie says.

Once inside, visitors are taken aback by the grace, femininity and serenity of the cottage's pale-pink walls, sun-drenched rooms and assortment of collectibles. A white buffet table is the focal point of one enclave, above which hangs one of Christie's rose paintings. A Victorian ceiling tin is the rich frame that transforms this delicate flower into a masterpiece. Candles and crystal and silver collectibles create an inviting, romantic look.

The main sitting room features one of Christie's stunning yard-long rose portraits, which adorns the fireplace and invites on-lookers to pour a cup of tea

and stay to chat. On either side of the mantel hangs more of her work. The gentle pale color adds a glow to the hearth, regardless of whether the fire is lit or not.

As numerous as roses are in variety - Tea, English and Cabbage, to name a few - great in numbers are theways Christie captures their beauty on canvas. She still laughs when she recalls art classes where instructors encouraged her to leave the flower behind. "Being true to what I love is an important part of my work. It has taken years to find my niche, but the reward of not losing sight of my dream is why I have the studio today."

Just as Shakespeare said, "A rose by any other name would smell just as sweet," this talented artist shows that it's the feeling rather than the name that makes her roses bloom.

By Jenny Bioche
Photography by Rick Szczechowski