Hedged Wall

"Hedged Wall"
5" x 7"
Acrylic on hardboard
 


One of the walls in the English Walled Garden is a ten foot hedge. It's one wall of a section that has brick walls on its other sides.  The dark hedge makes a lovely background for small fruit trees and mounds of blooming shrubs and perennials like bee balm and day lilies. 

This was my second painting of the morning on Sunday when I was at the Botanic Gardens with my Sunday morning painting buddies.  We paint so differently, it's always a kick to see how we handle the same subject matter.  

Carol

La-La-Laa

"La-La-Laa"
6" x 6"
Oil on canvas panel
She was not alone in the bed, and definitely not the only warbler in the garden that morning, but she was spot on pitch. This beauty performed without missing a note. 

Lilies are fun to paint on account of their deep throats and colors that are difficult to place next to one another.  Purple blending into yellow—yikes. It makes for a satisfying experience when completed.

I appreciate your presence here today.
Carol

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Unlikely Companions,These

"Marble, Lily, Spines"
12" x 12"
Oil on panel

I was photographing a selection of hand blown marbles when my orange day lily snapped off her stem and landed next to a sweet little agave in my courtyard. Unlikely companions, these, what with their origins, textures and colors. But they seemed comfortable together once they were arranged.

These are three of my favorite subjects. I'm thankful to have them around me.

This painting is for sale on Dailypaintworks.  Check it out in my gallery there by clicking here.

Thank you for visiting with me via my blog today.

Lucent Lily

"Lucent Lily"
18" x 18"
Acrylic on wrapped canvas
She had been pulled from her stem by a chubby fist.  Handed to me as a loving gift.  One curled petal was missing, but the rest of her looked darn good.  I put her on the doily next to my faceted paperweight and rolled in a couple marbles. Not half bad. 

I lit the flower from the bottom so I could take advantage of the texture on her petals. This painting became all about light, texture and pattern.  The orange of the flower pleased me.  The purple and blue elements keep it interesting.

This painting is listed with, and for sale through a Daily Paintworks auction.

Thank you for visiting today.
Carol

Scarlet Aria

Scarlet Aria
Oil on Masonite panel
24" x 24" 

It was late in the season for day lilies. But a cluster was still performing on a slope, across the Serpentine Bridge at the Chicago Botanic Gardens.  The green-throated beauties warbled in close proximity to white hibiscus blossoms the size of luncheon plates. 

Once again, I worked my sponge from the outside in, anxious to paint the stamens.  I knew they'd be my final touches—with a scruffy little brush!  I also had to make sure the pistil didn't lead my eye off the right side by paying attention to value and edges.