Here is one I did just last Saturday. I was in a meadow by my favorite lake watching a thunderstorm over the mountains, and it started raining, so some of the ink and color ran in spots, and I liked that natural touch and decided to keep it. From left to right: Camas Lily, Blue-eyed grass, cinquefoil.
Camas lily bulbs were a food staple of the Indian tribes around here, and contrary to popular opinion of how peaceful they were, they had fierce wars over control of the camas lily fields. Every once in a while in a field of blue there will be a white camas lily and they are called “death lilies” because they are VERY poisonous. the Indians used to mark the death lilies so that they wouldn’t accidentally dig up the bulbs when they harvested, because if the plant is not in bloom there is no way to tell. The first time I came over a hill and saw a meadow filled with camas lilies I thought it was water in the distance, and the closer I came the more I realized they were flowers by the millions. What a sight that was! It still awes me.
Lia T 2:58 pm on June 22, 2009 | #
I’ve been enjoying all of your work very much, including these wildflowers. What I like the most though isn’t the painting but the idea of being in a meadow, lit up with wildflowers, watching a storm over the mountains, and for even more beauty, toss in a few random raindrops.
You reflect the heavenly place you must live very well. (where?) I also appreciate that you take the time to write about what you’ve painted. Thanks for sharing it all!
roseindigo 9:00 am on June 23, 2009 | #
Lia, I live in north-east California, where the Sierra Nevadas and the Cascade Mountains come together, the forgotten part of the state. My county is 75% national forest, so there is plenty of wilderness to choose from. But one has to do without many modern conveniences, and winters are harsh. The closest cities in which we shop for the bigger items are Reno or Chico, both about two hours away. Of course, I can also get to Lake Tahoe or to Lassen National Park in two hours. I love it, but this country living is not to everyone’s taste.