It is a crazy beautiful time of year for those who like flowers! Here on the west coast, the rhododendrons make a particularly spectacular show. Recently, we had the occasion to be in Bowen Park in Nanaimo where there is an area dedicated to these bushes. It was a riot of color. There was a wedding party there at the same time having photographs taken – I would have been worried about the flowers upstaging the bride! Anyway, this is not the exact scene as I played with the composition but was strongly inspired by that visit. This was a larger piece for me (16×20) – there was just so much to show!
Here is Tom’s lovely poetic response. I learned a new term this week “ekphrastic poetry” which is poetry particularly written in response to a piece of art. I am honoured that Tom has been regularly providing ekphrastic poetry for my art!
Variations on a theme
of colour, light, and forest shade:
rhododendrons by the stream
bloom beneath the sylvan glade
within the garden where the dark
beneath the leaves hides thrush and lark
who dart and flit and hide from view
but pause to sing a song that’s true
while the gentle breezes blow
and bees abuzz from flower to flower
take the sweet and leave the sour
then back to home and hive they go.
This patch of beauty unalloyed
brings to all a touch of joy.
image (c) 2018 Hilary Farmer
poem (c) 2018 TJ Radcliffe
Green Tea Doodles 
I like the scale of this one. A lot of depth to it. It feels like there is a movement in it. Beautiful!
Thank you Max! I am happy with it too! It was done alla prima like the others but took five hours because of the size. I’m really focused when I paint so I was pretty drained after. This size will have to be occasional!
Joy indeed. On route from Kitsilano to YVR in May, I meandered about Van Dusen Garden with the rhododendron and azalea shrubs in bloom. The painting and poem reminds me the emotional response to first seeing the tree form of these plants in the natural forests of Nepal. I am curious to see you and Tom collaborate on the Himalayan blue poppy, which on my first sighting in the wild, was equally joyous. Peter DL
Thank you Peter! That must have been amazing! Not sure when we’ll get to the blue poppy but they sure are stunning!
Superb👍
Thank you!
This painting immediately puts a smile on my face. So glad to be reminded of springtime as a cold autumn rain blows through Boston today…
Thank you! Your comment brought this one back to my attention – nice to be reminded that spring will come here too. 🙂