Phlox and Tansy

After a very long day, I find myself painting a few of the flowers I brought in from the garden tonight. I don't remember ever painting the tansy before, but these were leaning into the walkway, so I saved them from stomping!  The phlox have lasted so very long this summer, but the last two heavy rains have really washed the petals away.  I've been dead heading them and babying them, hoping to keep them gorgeous for Michaela's wedding, but they are fading.  These blooms were all laying over, so now they are inside so I can paint them while enjoying their rich fragrance!  Painting number 2430 in 2430 days.

Tansy on Cotton

Tansy on Cotton
Flower pigment, pen and ink on cotton, 8x9.5

This pounding is of tansy in my garden.  It blooms in yellow atop tall feathery fronds.  Used in teas, it is one plant I needed to keep away from cattle - as it can affect their milk (or so I was told).  Since we live in the country, that meant keeping it away from the fences and edges of the yard.  We no longer run cattle, but I still keep it far from fence lines!  The blooms are tiny yellow ball shapes in clusters, which here turned to the brown shades.  I wonder if cutting fresher blooms would result in more of their true yellow color seeping into the fabric.  I found that with sunflowers, I needed to cut them and pound them immediately, or their petals would release very little color.  Each flower is a new experience - and who knows the next blooms will bring!  This is Day 17 in the 30 day painting challenge and the 990th painting in 990 days!! Woohoo!