Peonies and Tangerines 8x12 Oil
I have five different types of peonies in my garden, and this one is the most prolific. It's a Sarah Bernhardt peony, and I have three of them planted in various places in the yard with differing amounts of sun. The bushes with the least sun have fewer flowers, but they bloom considerably later and that gives me a much longer peony painting season each year.
I always check out and often buy what's available at the supermarket, but I'm quite partial to painting the flowers from my own garden. I enjoy watching over them, anticipating when they'll be ready to go and picking them at various stages of development, which usually makes for a more interesting grouping to paint. I'm sure my husband wishes I would do less watching and more of the work, but he's the real landscaper at our house. I usually manage one good-sized spurt of yard work in the spring and then it's over for me.
This spring we--I mean my husband--planted four new rose bushes and they struggled throughout the summer. Then this fall they went crazy. Cooler weather, I guess, but we still had roses last week--even after several frosts and a couple of light snows. I didn't get around to painting them this year, but next year look out. It's tough to beat peonies, but some rose paintings are definitely in my future.
I hope you will be able to join me at the Abend Gallery Holiday Miniature Show where this painting, along with five others, will be on display. The show starts Friday, Dec. 3 with a reception from 5-9. I will also be doing a demonstration painting on Saturday, Dec. 4th from 10-4.
