I had a great chance to enjoy Texas wildflowers this weekend. We went camping at Possum Kingdom Lake this weekend. I was struck at how beautiful the drive was, it was fun the watch the colors change as the miles passed by. Although I knew it might make me feel bad, I painted this from the passenger side of the car as I rode with my family.
Blackland prairie
Field study, and easel.
Sunny Day Picnic
I went to a favorite park of ours which has a lovely section of native prairie. After painting the wildflowers, I painted this little study of some picnickers. Have you ever noticed how much better everything tastes outside?
Brothers Hiking
Good day for a hike.
Field of Gold
I painted this from a thumbnail. I planned on using a photo to finish it, but the photo was on my ipad and I couldn’t see the screen at baseball practice. I could see it ok in the dugout, but when a ball came zooming in, I decided I better pay attention or get out. So, I finished the painting from my little black and white thumbnail safely behind the netting in the stands. If you listen closely, perhaps you can hear the sounds of the afternoon…
Lupinus texensis
“Bluebonnets have inspired the poet’s pen, the artist’s brush, the cowboy’s dream, and the legislator’s eloquence throughout the broad spaces of Texas. Their royal beauty and enchanting fragrance have a particular message which speaks to the emotions with compelling directness.”
–Mary Daggett Lake, 1926
Lupinus texensis is the scientific name for Texas Bluebonnet.
Sunrise in Texas Blue
The noon day palette I would need to paint this scene would be quite boring, but it was interesting at dawn.
Indian Paint
Texas spring is all about color. It is an impressionist’s dream come true, the fields are just a beautiful blur of pure color.
Thank You Lady Bird
My studies and thumbnails from Hawaii outlasted my trip, and although I still have a dozen or so more to complete, spring in Texas is just too hard to ignore. I hope you enjoyed the tropics; you might want to trade your flip flops for boots, we are headed deep into the heart of the lone star state!
“When I was a little girl, I grew up listening to the wind in the pine trees of the East Texas woods.
My heart found its home long ago in the beauty, mystery, order and disorder of the flowering earth.
My special cause, the one that alerts my interest and quickens the pace of my life, is to preserve the wildflowers and native plants that define the regions of our land—to encourage and promote their use in appropriate areas, and thus help pass on to generation in waiting the quiet jobs and satisfactions I have known since my childhood.” – Lady Bird Johnson, in her own words
Thank you Lady Bird for leaving such a beautiful legacy. May we all find our special cause that alerts our interest and quickens our pace.
Orange Dawn
Quick analogous color study. I Ike the energy of the square edges give.
paintandsimple 