Winter lingers so I summon spring in my studio...
I sit by the south facing window, morning sun filtering in the living room giving an impression of a warm day ahead. However, winter lingers and refuses to let go of her icy grip on eastern Ontario. Snow covers the ground and earth is sealed in white.
I paint flowers that only exist in my mind. This time, I imagine the type of flowers we grow indoors while we anticipate better weather.
My imagined blooms take shape as I try to summon spring in my own way - that is, by experimenting and lots of what ifs and why not.
Summon spring with Amaryllis, Snow Drops and Paper Whites.
Amaryllis.
Using acrylic paint skins that I purposely prepared with acrylic paint on freezer paper, I think these blooms are very eye catching. The yellow middle is actually the paint that dried around the opening of the tube of paint. A good coat of glue holds everything together, including the map of Tuscany (from a long ago trip to the Chianti area) that I painted over for the pot.
Snow Drops.
Two loosely painted vases of Snow Drops painted in acrylics and then detailed with soft pastels. Don’t know if they would actually survive in water but hey, it’s only a painting and in my imaginary world, these flowers love water!
Paper Whites.
For this painting, I used acrylics, stencils, marker, tempera stick, and collage. See that drooping stem? While I could have fixed it quite easily, I decided to let it be. In my imaginary world, a drooping stem can live another day.
A floral explosion.
Each square has something similar (colours) and something different (shapes).
Lots of fun just to let the paint flow, no expectations for results. After all, flowers come in all shapes and sizes and colours. Even more fun to go back into each square and add more colour with acrylic paint and markers.
Snow still covers the ground but in my studio, I have summoned spring and it has arrived in full bloom!
I do love the ingenuity you show by using paint in very different ways. The texture in the Amaryllis works well, and the colours vivid.
I tried finding an Amaryllis to grow in the home but was unsuccessful so I had photos that I found online as models. I do love red against teal or turquoise. The paint skins are fun and unpredictable. Thanks Vivienne.
Dear Louise I like your summoners of spring. Thank you so much for sharing. Especially I love the red floral explosion. This is a great idea and brings warmth in your heart.
Like you, I try different techniques and experiment. The results are sometimes surprising! 😉 Wishing you a pleasant week.