Magnolia Glow – Daily Painting
Magnolia Glow – 7 x 11″ watercolor. SOLD.
Although this painting is sold see more of my floral and botanical paintings here
Every year I wait for the magnolias to come into bloom at Descanso. The tulips burst open at the same time, which seems fitting. The downy buds thrust up, covered with a soft casing that seems like velvet or suede. Eventually it begins to show color. This is usually about the time that a rainstorm threatens to spoil the blooms. But, with luck, the tight buds will make it through the showers, to open fully on a warm day. From this tight urn-shaped form they will expand gracefully, the petals laying back in ecstasy. The colors are more subtle in the shade, but I like them best in early morning or very late afternoon, when a slanting ray causes the white of the petals to glow with a hot inner fire.
In this case, the flower was painted first, in general terms. Then the background was added to gauge the contrast. Finally, I went back and added the final color accents to the bloom. I rather like the trapped negative space between the stem and the leaf – it reminds me of certain art nouveau motifs.
Ronell
March 20, 2007
Your magnolia is beautiful. You’ve really captured that glow!
Ronell
Shirley
March 20, 2007
Absultely beautiful Karen. I love the contrast of the flower against the dark background, We are weeks away from our magnolia blooms in icy, snowy Central Park, New York.
teric
March 20, 2007
Oh mY gosh, this is my new favorite! It is just stunning and sparkling and alive! Gorgeous.
jules
March 20, 2007
Oh gosh! The light in this is so bright! Absolutely lovely.
Casey
March 20, 2007
This is amazing – I love the contrast of the delicate flower and that stunning dark background; I wait for the magnolias every Spring- thanks for doing this!
Linda
March 20, 2007
Wow — it really does glow!
Brenda Yarborough
March 20, 2007
WOW, Karen!! Others have said it, but I must repeat. . . it truly DOES GLOW!! Gorgeous, yummy and rich color against that white!! Very effective.
Kate (Cathy) Johnson
March 21, 2007
I am really loving your sunstruck flower series! This is just lovely, the perfect balance of detail and bold, simple areas.
Robyn
March 21, 2007
I can’t put it better than Kate – sunstruck – that’s perfect. They are absolutely lovely, Karen. The magnolias are blooming here and I’m trying to work out how I can jam another tree into our garden!
Anastasia
March 21, 2007
this is very beautiful Karen…Im sure there are lots of lovely flowers blooming over there now
Happy Spring!
Jana Bouc
March 22, 2007
Stunning and so fresh! Just lovely.