We have a particular cactus that grows in this area and is quite unique. It's called a "Night Blooming Cereus." Twice a year or more they put forth the most incredible flowers which are an intense color, usually yellow, orange, red and fuschia. White is also possible. These flowers are almost neon-bright and I kid you not! The special thing about them is their "bulbs" build and prepare for their big show. They usually bloom at night initially, and they last for one day. Then they dry up and are gone. It's almost a spiritual thing that these magnificent blossoms are so spectacular, yet so short-lived.
This painting is available on DailyPaintworks auction page or in my DPW galley at http://www.dailypaintworks.com/Artists/carol-flatt-1045
This is perfectly awesome. I thought WOW when I first saw it.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful closeup of a beautiful flower, Carol! I love the light and color!! Perfect!
ReplyDeleteMany thanks, Hilda! My husband took this photo of one of the neighbor's cactus. With the sun on it it really caught his attention.
DeleteThis is really gorgeous and what a beautiful range of color and temperature you achieved. Very subtle.
ReplyDeleteThey are just waiting for their ten minutes of fame I guess. Makes their blooming all the more special:)
I appreciate that, Libby. There is such a quiet build-up as these flowers prepare themselves, but the show is spectacular, brief though it is!
Deletethis is a wonderful painting, Carol. The vibration set up by your warm and cool colors is dynamite and
ReplyDeletethe close-up viewpoint adds extra power!
Thank you, Julie! I enjoy looking at things close-up. There's a whole big world of shadows and shapes and colors and light within these flowers.
DeleteThank you, Julie. I know it's bright, but they really are that vivid! :)
ReplyDeleteWOW-eee!! (To outdo Julie?) That was my initial impression, too! It's too beautiful, dynamic,
ReplyDeletedramatic and stunning for words!!!!
Gosh, Lorraine. Such kind words and very much appreciated. The main challenge was to try to mix a dark red/magenta color. Cad Red and Transparent Red Oxide were the deepest I could find. I could have gone around the color wheel to purple, I think, but used Burnt Sienna in the mixture instead. That's why we paint, right...to learn that kind of thing?!
DeleteReally gorgeous Carol. Great job getting the hues so vibrant and the composition is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThese flowers are really spectacular in real life, Carol. The colors just amaze you. Thank you for the nice words!
DeleteSo beautiful! The interior of the flower looks translucent. The contrast between the shadow and light on the petals is wonderful. Really gorgeous, Carol.
ReplyDeleteHi Virginia! I really appreciate your comments. It was a joy to work with these colors...ones I don't use every day. Kind of like eating the biggest lollipop in the jar! :)
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