Iris and Peony Paintings of the Masters

Perspectives from The Artist's Road

Vase of Peonies Fantin-Latour

Spring came to us early this year. We’re not complaining, mind you, but our gardens have all bloomed so quickly that we are scrambling to keep up with them. The unseasonable warmth and early blossoms have lifted our spirits and caused us to get into high gear with our flower portraits. In normal weather, we have plenty of blossom time to first gather narcissus and hyacinths and make lovely studies while the days and nights are still chilly. This year, they bloomed and were gone so quickly we barely had time to get ready for the old-fashioned lilacs which opened right behind them. Painting lilacs takes some time, but they too were quickly knocked down by eighty-degree March temperatures! Their fragrance filled the yard and although we didn’t get to do them justice, they are followed by the little Korean lilacs, so all is not lost. As we write, the Koreans are winding down and we now have, unbelievably, iris and peon…