New paintings and regular art updates.
I might buy a flower, to remember her,
I might buy some perfume, or a scarf.
I can’t give them her.
So long ago, years ago, I lost her,
Each year when mothers day comes
I stare at parties of young or old women,
Children with their mums,
And wish she was here.
It’s not mothers day for me.
Recently I’ve been buying orchids. I think they have beautiful flowers and the way they grow is fascinating. I’m no expert but I’ve noticed they like potting in transparent pots. I think it’s so light can get to the bark. The plant sits in loose bark and you can get orchid food, which you add to the water you use for them. I don’t think they like tap water, but that’s all we have got.
The pink orchids pictured are a new addition, they are supposed to be scented but I could not smell any perfume. They seem to like a bit of warmth and I’m worried that it might be too cold in the kitchen.
One of the orchids I bought about a year ago has grown lots if ariel roots. It’s had quite a few flower spikes. First they grow bulbous buds which open to form magenta flowers. I’ve cut back all the dead growth and repotted them. I have 5 orchids now. I think they are 3 separate sorts. Hopefully I can keep them going!!
Poppy time is my favourite time of the summer. First the buds swell, then split. Papery petals unfurl and stretch. Like butterfly wings emerging from its chrysalis.
Poppies are my favourite flowers, to see their cheery heads waving in the breeze in a cornfield, or along the grass verges of motorways. Their lovely flowers help feed the bees, and their pepper pot seed heads spread thousands of seeds everywhere. I love breaking the dried seed heads off and scattering the tiny grains of seed all around the garden. They don’t always grow where they are sown, but like disturbed ground and can lie dormant in the soil, which is why they can appear on building sites and why they bloomed in Flanders fields.
Poignant reminded of war. Pretty flower, or even narcotic. Poppies have power.
Thistle, old flower,
Magenta and green,
Sharp and green,
Sparkling with spikes,
Shunning the soft,
Not needing likes,
But waiting to shed
Your seeds all around,
Soft thistledown
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Work in progress on a painting of a thistle against old brickwork. It’s good how life can spring from cracks in the pavement or up from old guttering. The world tries to take over for our concrete and brick….
Thistles do remind me of punk and spikey hairdos!
Roses are red
Violets are blue,
This doesn’t rhyme
I dont know why!
Roses have such an important role in life, they are a symbol of love, lijd red roses for valentines day. They can be sent to patients in hospital, and are a beautiful addition to a garden. Roses are used as an image on greetings cards and can also be found as part of traditional canal art.
People always seem to want to retire to a cottage where roses grow around the door. I tend to think you might get spiked on the thorns if you are not careful.
Roses are red, but they can also be in many other colours, from palest white to almost black. Some roses have sweet scent, others are without perfume. Some flower continuously through spring, summer and into autumn while others bloom only once a year.
I am interested in trying to paint or draw them, their convoluted petals are a real challenge. How they intertwine, whether they are simple flowers like the dog rose, or more complex like hybrid tea roses.
The plants can be used formally, for instance in a rose garden with box hedges , or scrambling or climbing up trellises and trees. They will grow up a pergola and give scented shade in the summer. They can also be used as ground cover.
Don’t ask me about pruning, black spot, aphid attack or other problems because I don’t know….
