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| "Glorious Poppies" sold |
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| "Red Poppies" (oil, 8" x 12") sold |
Last summer I spotted gorgeous red poppies at Green Spring Gardens Park in Alexandria, VA. As I was leaving after a plein-air painting session, I didn't have the time or energy to do another painting. I took a picture, thinking that I would come back soon. I did a few days later, but the flowers were all gone! As the Roman poet Horace said, it's carpe diem or dead flowers. I had to console myself with the photo, which served as the reference for "Glorious Poppies."
Compare the new painting with "Red Poppies." The old painting has a merit--soft, dreamy, etc. But I absolutely prefer "Glorious Poppies"! I don't know what's happening to me. I seem to have become bolder, more confident, not afraid of strong contrasts, and so on. The new one has more depth and interesting "details" too. When one thinks of red poppies, one does not dream of a romantic, pastel image, unless he is Claude Monet. Aren't these papery, blood red flowers all about hot-headed passion? "Glorious Poppies" fits the bill much better than my earlier attempt, I dare say.
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