"Spring Fresh Lilies of the Valley" (oil on linen; 10" x 8") sold

sold

I have these dainty and fragrant lilies of the valley in my garden.  In a few weeks, they will bloom, nestled in their lush green foliage.

"Lily of the Valley" (oil on linen; 10" x 8")

click here to buy

Reference photo

I love the lily of the valley.  The tiny nodding bells of this shade-loving plant have the enchanting fragrance that only those who take trouble to get down on their knees to smell them know.  Indeed, I had to practically lie on my stomach to take the above reference photo.  They grow under the yews, holly, and azaleas right outside of my front door.  It took ten long years to spread as far as you can see in the picture below and not all the stems have buds.  Alas, they seem to prefer a more open shade.

My treasure trove of the lily of the valley

I am doing a series of garden flowers in the natural setting this year, so I painted "Lily of the Valley" to show how this dainty plant grows in my garden.

"First Snowdrops" (oil on linen; 8" x 10") sold

sold

Reference photo

I did it!  Instead of sitting on a nice photo forever, I made a painting out of it right away.  Aren't you proud of me?  As I mentioned in an earlier entry, I took the above picture last Sunday.  The first sighting of these delicate white flowers always signals the imminent arrival of spring.  However, the joy has been considerably marred by the unseasonably warm weather we've been "blessed" with this winter.  Today's forecast in northern Virginia is in the upper 60's! 

Some people are basking in the warmth; others hate it, sad at the want of the fluffy snow.  I happen to live with two of the latter.  I don't mind the spring-like temperature.  But I am sore at the missed opportunity to paint snow on location as my plein-air friends had vowed to do so this winter.  Oh, well.