These are peonies from Trader Joes!
I brought them to my folks house and sat the vase of them on a window sill in the stairwell. I hunt out striking light whereever I can.
The painting came in three distinct phases. The garden in the background was a project! Sculpting the paint into the soft shapes outside the window took some time.
Then came the faceted glass and the stems and leaves inside. Though intimidated at first, it turned out to be quite fun and surprisingly easy.
I stalled out painting the big blossom on the right. Once I clamored my way through it, I breezed through the entire big flower on the left in one day.
Our friend Sara, who for a precious time lived across the street from us in Fairfax, was visiting one day. I asked her what I should call it. Blush, she said. No kidding?!!! I had been thinking the very same word!
Blush honors the painfully shy part of me that for my first forty years had debilitating stage fright. Whenever I was in the spotlight, my face turned so red, it felt purple.
I’m so grateful to be almost entirely healed of this. Yet, this sensitive part of me is still here. Instead of wishing it away, I’ve learned to honor my blushing.
March 2013 – 41″x29″ – Watercolor on paper
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