In Mistaken for Strangers, Meghann Stephenson continues her exploration of the emotional complexities and subtle tensions within human relationships. The painting features two tulips set against a stark black background, their stems gracefully intertwined while their blossoms lean away from one another. This delicate balance—of connection and separation—serves as a poetic metaphor for the dynamics of a relationship, where individuals are both entwined and distinct, coming together and pulling apart over time.

Stephenson's choice of tulips, with their elegant yet fragile forms, reflects her ongoing interest in using flowers as allegories for human experiences, particularly within the context of love and intimacy. The dark background isolates the forms, heightening their drama and drawing attention to the duality of unity and individuality.