Flowers

A Year of Creating Dangerously, Day 34: Flowers in February

I am such a hopeless romantic that I let my wife buy flowers for herself whenever she wants to. I know – I’m an amazing man. She loves flowers and pretty much every other growing thing. I have never met someone with such a green thumb. Even when she discards one, it thrives in the compost bin. The gardens around our house are her oasis in the Spring, Summer and Fall. But in the dead of Winter? It is her dozens and dozens of houseplants and the fresh cut flowers she brings home that give her life.

In the spirit of bringing a bit of color and life into the bleak midwinter of February, here are a few flower still life drawings I have done over the last few years. One of them was a gift to my wife on Valentine’s Day (yes, there is some romance in me, after all).

pitcher-with-roses-2

“Pitcher with Roses” Chalk Pastels

roses-with-oranges-valentines-day-2015-drawing

“Roses with Oranges” (Valentine’s Day 2015) Chalk Pastels

two-pitchers

“Two Blue Pitchers” Art Markers, Pen & Ink

tulips-in-pitcher-1

“Tulips in Pitcher 1” Art Markers, Pen & Ink

tulips-in-pitcher-2

“Tulips in Pitcher 2” Art Markers, Pen & Ink

Flower Power

Golden Tulips catching the sun

This space is usually reserved for my prose and occasional poetry (such as it is). However, I also create artwork and take photos. As our long, cold winter draws to a close, I have been anticipating Spring via the bouquets of tulips my wife has been bringing home. I’ve found that an intimate study of them through photography brings me a lot of joy, especially on a March days in Canada when it is still possible to hear ice rain clattering on your window or feel a -25 windchill slicing through you.  I hope these photos can give you some warmth and joy, too, and fire up your anticipation of the colorful and lively season to come.

Golden Tulips 2

Golden Tulips 2

Golden Tulips 3

Golden Tulips 3

Golden Tulips 4

Golden Tulips 4

Purple Tulips 1

Purple Tulips 1

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Purple Tulips 2

Purple Tulips 3

Purple Tulips 3

Purple Tulips 4

Purple Tulips 4

 

Flame Tulips 1

Flame Tulips 1

Flame Tulips 2

Flame Tulips 2

Flame Tulips 3

Flame Tulips 3

Flame Tulips 4

Flame Tulips 4

Sun Tulips 1

Sun Tulips 1

Sun Tulips 2

Sun Tulips 2

Sun Tulips 3

Sun Tulips 3

Sun Tulips 4

Sun Tulips 4