Prickly Pear in Pink
Pretty in pink!
Scarlet poppy
Today and yesterday’s flowers look really good together, I like the way they are facing each other. Perhaps they are engaged in a serious conversation, or just some chatty flower small talk. Here they are on my easel, the photo doesn’t really capture the intensity of the orange.
Gaudy Weed
The Poppy
BY JANE TAYLOR
High on a bright and sunny bed
A scarlet poppy grew
And up it held its staring head,
And thrust it full in view.
Yet no attention did it win,
By all these efforts made,
And less unwelcome had it been
In some retired shade.
Although within its scarlet breast
No sweet perfume was found,
It seemed to think itself the best
Of all the flowers round,
From this I may a hint obtain
And take great care indeed,
Lest I appear as pert and vain
As does this gaudy weed.
Expecting
Poppy buds have always reminded me of big, round, pregnant bellies. I love to personify my still life. Here is the happy couple waiting for their bloom.
Burning Color
“These too are of a burning color–not orange, not gold, but if pure gold were liquid and could raise a cream, that golden cream might be like the color of the poppies.”
― John Steinbeck
Pursuing Portraiture
I am continuing to work on my portrait skills. I took a wonderful one day workshop from the Anna Bain. I walked into her studio and was surrounded by beautiful faces: dozens of framed portraits hanging on all the available wall space. Anna’s paintings were breathtaking and inspiring. Her demo was amazing. The atmosphere was nurturing. After lunch we stood at our easels, brushes in hand ready to capture the lovely model, Misty, in oil. this was my first attempt to paint a portrait in oil. I had also never tried double, oil primed portrait grade linen as a surface to paint on (cotton primed canvas feels like sidewalk in comparison). I wish I would have had 3 more hours because I needed all of my time to establish the major highlights and shadows. My Misty looks older and more severe than how lovely and serene model actually was, but I am happy with my first attempt.
Farm Girl
If you aren’t in a rush, I find almost all chores are enjoyable.
Go Jump
“Go jump in a puddle. You’re all complaining about the rain. You can’t change it so you might as well have fun with it.”
-J. Anderson
Your World For a Moment
“If you take a flower in your hand and really look at it, it’s your world for a moment.”
― Georgia O’Keeffe
