Crocus botanical study in watercolour.
I went through a stage a few years ago of painting spring flowering bulb studies.I like the details of stamens,buds,seedheads and bulbs that tell the story of the plants life.
I managed to do this Crocus,a snakeshead fritillary,Iris reticulata(sold that one),and bluebell. Yet to do tulip,snow-drop,grape hyacinth,scilla and Narcissus.Anymore?I doubt I'll get around to doing all these though.
Poetry is art in language,so let words paint a picture.
Here is a spring poem for all the mums on mothers day,but especially mine-(we love poetry!).
Spring Flowers
Along the blushing borders bright with dew,
And in yon mingled wilderness of flowers,
Fair-handed spring unbosoms every grace:
Throws out the snow-drop and the crocus first;
The daisy,primrose,violet darkly blue,
And Polyanthus of unnumbered dyes;
The yellow wallflower,stained with iron brown,
And lavish stock that scents the garden round:
From the soft wing of vernal breezes shed,
Anemonies,Auriculas,enriched
With shining meal o'er all their velvet leaves;
And full Ranunculas of glowing red.
Then comes the tulip race,where beauty plays
Her idle freaks :from family diffused .
To family,as flies the father-dust,
The varied colours run;and while they break
On the charmed eye,the exulting florist marks,
With secret pride,the wonders of his hand.
No gradual bloom is wanting;from the bud,
First-born of spring,to summer's musky tribes:
Nor hyacinths,deep-purpled;nor jonquils,
Of potent fragrance;nor Narcissus fair,
As o'er the fabled fountain hanging still;
Nor broad carnations,nor spotted pinks;
Nor,showered from every bush,the Damask-rose;
Infinite numbers,delicacies,smells,
With hues on hues expression cannot paint,
The breathe of Nature, and her endless bloom.
James Thomson 1700-1748
