Iris Aglow

 

I love spending time in the garden painting - and these iris are irresistible! I admire their rich magenta hues in the sunlight - which keeps popping in and out, and wonder which friend's garden these came from.  I often plant the tiniest roots found neglected in the strangest places, not knowing what they will one day become.  It's like Christmas when those little babies bloom!  Painting number 4880 in 4880 days. 

Chapeau Iris

Today finds me painting another of Grandma's iris varieties - Chapeau, I think!  This lovely bicolor bearded iris is tall and vigorous, blooming up out of thick daylilies!  I will transplant them this fall to a place they can spread and call their own!  I love their rich color on this rainy day!  Oils were the perfect choice to define their petals!  Painting number 2683 in 2583 days.

Pink Peony Passion

Pink Peony Passion
Oil on wood panel, 14x11
Stems - Overland Park Arboretum
purchase here

Wowza!  These fabulous beauties were bursting with blooms at the Overland Park Arboretum in Kansas.  Always drawn to peonies, I set up on the sloshy grass in front of them.  We've had so much rain, and with this peony bed right by the lake - it was very wet indeed. I love painting these regal flowers - especially in such a vivid color as these magenta ones!  Painting number 879 in 879 days.

Pretty in Pink

Pretty in Pink
Oil on unstretched canvas, 4x4
purchase here

My pink tulips are now blooming - and although they are on the small side, they add a wonderful cool hue to the garden.  I have used both brush and knife to paint this small 4x4 inch painting.  First, I sketch out the composition as I want it, and then start laying in those colors until the canvas if full.  Then, I work with the knife, skimming over the first layer with new color - either darker or lighter then the first layer.  I pulled an ultramarine blue over the deep green, and white over the pinks to define the edges of the petals.  To add interest, I have popped in a few little touches of color - radiant turquoise, naples yellow pale and radiant magenta.  The key is to only lightly drop these in, too much negates the energy of having just a little.  Painting number 855 in 855 days.