Stop and Smell the Flowers

This cutie was having fun today enjoying the spring flowers at Descanso Gardens.  Tulips, daffodils, primroses, foxgloves and many more were in full bloom.  Definitely worth the trip this week.  Get there before they're gone.

"Stop and Smell the Flowers"       © Kathy Dunham 2011

Tulips of Giverny

Monet's Garden in the Spring is a real treat to both gardener and artist alike.  This is where he created some of his most famous paintings.  But the town of Giverny is quaint and charming.  It's small and probably not much different than it was in his era.  The townspeople love their flowers as well.  These beautiful tulips were growing along the roadside.  Plus there are other gardens for the visitor to stroll through and enjoy.

"Tulips of Giverny"     © Kathy Dunham 2011

Pink Tulip

Tulips are one of my favorite flowers.  They come in a wide variety of colors, shapes and sizes.  At one time they were worth more than their weight in gold.  Tulip bulbs were traded feverishly in Holland in the 1630s.  The more rare the bulb, the higher the price.  Then the bottom fell out of the market.  Fortunes were lost overnight.  Luckily in today's market they can be had for a reasonable price.

"Pink Tulip"     © Kathy Dunham 2010

Class Still Life

One of the classes I teach is watercolor and I this past weekend I was teaching a botanical watercolor class at The Living Desert, our local zoo and botanical garden.  Although we aren't fortunate to have tulips grow here in the desert, I do like to use them as subjects for my students.  They are a simple flower and relatively easy to paint and they are great to photograph. 

"Class Still Life"     © Kathy Dunham 2010

Tulip Frills

It was the season of blue and purple flowers in Monet's Garden but I found a few of these vibrant orange and yellow tulips that stood out in brilliant contrast.

"Tulip Frills" © Kathy Dunham 2009

Orange Rhodies

Monet's Garden was awash with blooms, irises, tulips, wisteria, azaleas and rhododendrons. But when I spotted these orange ones I was taken aback. I'm used to seeing them in whites and shades of reds and pinks. They were so vibrant they almost looked phony.

"Orange Rhodies" © Kathy Dunham 2009

Dew Drops

Water droplets are fascinating to paint and add a unique interest to piece of art. I think what intrigues viewers the most is how the artist actually accomplishes this feat. It's all in the physics of light.

"Dew Drops" © Kathy Dunham 2009

Daffodil Hill

Just outside Redlands, CA, on the way up the mountains in a little berg called Running Springs, is a dedicated lady who has planted thousands of daffodil bulbs over the years. In addition to a wide variety of daffodils, there are also tubs of tulips and hyacinths, displays of cut flowers, meandering pathways and benches to sit on and reflect. What a way to welcome in Spring!

"Daffodil Hill" © Kathy Dunham 2009