"Art is the only way to run away without leaving home" (Twyla Tharp)

Pierre de Ronsard ...


Summer is almost upon us and in our region means often heatwave, dry and harsh conditions. I know we aren't ideally suited to some plantings but while I do like many native plants, having been brought up around only those which grow happily in the wild, I have a very romantic idea of gardens and relentlessly pursue the option to grow stunning varieties less suited to our conditions.


Our climate is considered more Mediterranean - mild winters and hot, dry summers.  We have managed to cultivate a beautiful garden in progress - I choose and create the design of the garden and it would be nothing without my husband's back breaking labour - thankfully he loves to get dirty and feels more 'grounded' after a day's work in the garden.  Makes for a great partnership ...


This gorgeous climbing rose is one of my favourites -  Pierre de Ronsard.
It's a wonderfully showy climber with cabbage like flowers.  The roses are cream going through to a busy cluster of petals from pink through to carmine.  It has the most gorgeous fragrance and to me is the epitome of old fashioned romance and elegance.






I took these photos of our climbing rose 'Pierre de Ronsard' knowing full well that soon we will get a hot blast of summer and sadly the petals will brown and the flowers will be short-lived.But for a brief shining moment I can enjoy this beautiful rose before our hot sun and raging easterlies blow them all over our garden ....

Au revoir!


Composition ...





I have finally completed Assignment 5 of the SBA Distance Course - this assignment highlights Composition - bringing together all the elements of learning so far - line, form, tone, colour - and our studies with leaves and flowers.  The subject was not a whole plant on a page, more an arrangement of cut stems from a flowering plant - arranged on paper in a way that was aesthetically pleasing.

Painted the flowers first ...












The plant I chose was an Alyogyne ... there was very little in flower at the time of starting as our seasons are opposite to the UK.  When painting in such detail it helps if you have a great synergy with the subject.


Building up the washes

 The Alyogyne was growing on the side of the road during our recent visit to the country - the flowers are outstanding in their colour.  Also outstandingly difficult to paint as they change constantly - from pink/purple to a vivid violet and then blue/purple.  However I am always drawn to vibrant colour and wanted to learn about these pigments .... I posted previously about the time spent with colour testing and I am happy with the results....


Starting to paint the leaves ...







The washes were built up very slowly using only Quinacridone Magenta, French Ultramarine and Winsor Violet, each flower varying in hue.
The painting took many weeks of work in my spare time, and this courageous little plant even survived inside the house.  I had cut and arranged the stems while planning my composition but needed to use the plant for reference.  The Alyogyne is used to full sun and by the time I completed the painting there was only one flower left on it - it is now retired to the garden .....


© Vicki Lee Johnston



Thank you for visiting ... and for your lovely comments, they are very encouraging!