One Last Bloom
Early summer has begun with a symphony of dramatic blooms. For three years a small peony bush taunted one with the anticipation of expansive blooms. Finally, the day arrived and she joyfully presented an array of large bouncy blooms. Their gentle pink hue made them appear delicate as they swayed happily in summer’s breeze.
By and by an abundance of rainy weather dulled their glorious appearance and spoke of their impending fate. Painting this debut of life became increasingly remote. Finally one last bloom opened the doors of possibilities. Her freshness, juxtaposed amongst the dulling blooms, gently urged to be eternalized on canvas. Her impending fate was inevitable; just as her floral companions, but her memory was to remain vividly alive through her eternal pose.
Debbie Lamey-MacDonald
Plymouth, Nova Scotia
I was so excited when the peony bush I planted three years ago finally bloomed! I immediately thought that it would be great subject matter for a plein air study! Every day I visited to admire these huge showy blooms. My dilemma was lack of sunshine due to a rainy spell we were experiencing. Every day the glorious pale pink blooms began to fade due to an over abundance of rain and maturation. I even had my art gear outside and was already to paint when a spurt of sunshine did arrive; only to have my hopes dashed as the sun disappeared and the rain began again.
Finally one last late bloom arrived! It was then I realized I could not wait for optimal conditions! I had to take this into my own hands. So snip, snip went my scissors; then I escorted this lovely bloom inside. Quickly, the staging was set, spotlight adjusted and paint began to flow happily. I knew the bloom’s life span was limited and her essence had to be captured quickly.
That evening we received a heavy downpour of rain. The bloom’s companions left on the bush had been pummelled by the pounding rain! Thank heavens I had followed my intuition and retrieved this one last bloom when I did! Seizing the moment when we can requires both spontaneity and the willingness to take a chance. Wishing you spontaneity and the courage to seize a moment in time that brings you great joy!
16 Comments
Beautiful little painting. So glad you got the chance to capture the last bloom!
Unlike their short-lived companions, this bloom will live happy forever in your canvas
A lovely still life Debbie and I enjoyed reading it’s story on your Blog….hope the sun shines for you today
Melody, Paulo and Elizabeth,
Thank you so much for taking the time to visit my blog and your kind comments! I am so glad one bloom was late maturing!
Your days of painting may have been dampered by rainy weather, but your painting and writing truly brought a wonderful ray of sunshine to my day. I feel like I could lean into your painting and smell the freshness of that peony in it’s vase. You are incredibly talented. You mentioned to me about considering self publishing a book….I think you should take your own advice and compile a book of your paintings with the beautiful writing that your create to complement it. Thank you for sharing your wonderful talent!
Cheryl
http://www.cherylkugler.com
Cheryl I was so touched by your generous and kind comments! One of my future projects is to compile a little coffee table book of my works and writings. I am glad you think that is a good idea. Thank goodness I didn’t have to wait a whole year to paint a peony from life! That last smaller bloom came at just the right time
Debbie! This is gorgeous and I love the prose that follows…I’m with Cheryl!
Thanks so much Michelle! You and Cheryl are really spurring me on to get at my book
Dear Debbie … I really like this picture of the peonie … they are one of my favourites. Sam and I are always hoping the rain will not take them early so I was intrigued with your story … well done!
Thanks Janet! Always great to hear from you. The rain can really play havoc on these beauties. So nice that you could relate to my story.
Debbie, so glad that you were able to get that last bloom. I usually put off snipping until it’s too late – I hate to cut those gorgeous blooms.
) And I love, love the painting you created from the photo – absolutely beautiful!!!!
~ Donna ~
Hi Donna,
Thank you so much for your lovely comment! I am like you and hate to cut these huge blooms. I was so glad I did as it would not have survived the heavy downpour anyway. I actually painted this from life so I had to work diligently so it would not perish before I was able to finish. All seemed to be a race in time with this peony!
Beautiful painting.
I love the studio shot and the painting photos next to each other.
Andrea
Hi Andrea,
Thanks so much for your nice comment! It is good to get feedback on displaying both the photo/ painting. I thought it might help give people an idea of how I work from my subject. Come visit again
Beautiful painting Debbie, I love flowers, can’t get enough of them. Love the colors in this painting.
Hi Terry
Thanks so much for your nice comments! The beautiful photos on your blog told me how much you love flowers. Your blog made me want to be in the gardens where you snapped those gorgeous shots
It is nice to share a love of flowers. Come visit again 