Orchids
Let’s just say, it’s going to be hard to go back to beets after painting orchids. My recent trip to Washington included a visit to the US Botanic Garden—a lush and beautiful oasis amidst a busy city. More than 5,000 specimens of orchids are included in its collection and a special exhibit featured many of them—to the awe and delight of a steady stream of visitors. I found a few quieter corners in which to paint, using just a simple set of watercolors and a waterbrush (Pental large size, with a surprisingly pointed tip for finer lines). What a delight to spend a few hours with such exotic and beautiful plants!
Orchids in Focus is on display through April 17, 2016. If you’re in the neighborhood, don’t miss it.
100!
This is my 100th post. Thanks for being along for the ride! If you enjoy getting my art in your inbox, consider helping me reach farther by sharing my blog with your network. And please leave a comment if you have feedback or questions!
Drawn In 
Today is my daughter’s 48 th birthday. Sending her your beautiful orchid.
Good! And she won’t have to worry about caring for them!
Congratulations on your 100th post! I’ve enjoyed them all. These orchids are exquisite!
Exquisite subject! I really enjoyed having time to paint a few. Hope you and your family are well– Enjoy spring!
Beautiful as always! And congratulations on the 100th post 🙂
Thanks– I appreciate your support and regular “likes”!
Jean, You’ve continue to do it – be more amazing than before. I used to visit the orchid show in Washington and sit for hours just admiring their suspended beauty. Then, could not resist but purchase some and take them home. You have captured their infinite mutations of color and design. Thank you for another joy of nature on this solstice morning.
Jean, You continue to do it – be more amazing than before. I used to visit the orchid show in Washington and sit for hours just admiring their suspended beauty. Then, could not resist but purchase some and take them home. You have captured their infinite mutations of color and design. Thank you for another joy of nature on this solstice morning.
Thanks Juanita! I’m glad you can picture the setting for the orchids. It was interesting to paint publicly there– lots of curious onlookers. Isn’t it a treasure to look at something like orchids for several hours. Happy Solstice!
Just want to let you know how much I enjoy your posts and beautiful artwork. I am not an artist, I am a scrap booker, how I wish I could incorporate something like what you do into my work. You are an inspiration.
Thank you Gloria! Scrap booking is its own art form–I’m glad to offer a little inspiration!
Seduced by such a pretty face?! I like the beets better, myself. (Though they are all beautiful.) Happy centennial posting, especially appropriate on the first day of spring.
Absolutely seduced. Well said! Enjoy spring!
Congratulations on your 100th post, Jean. I only discovered your blog last fall and it’s always a bit exciting to see it arrive in my Inbox — your work is such an inspiration to a beginner like me. Beets, orchids, shoes, birds, lettering… it’s all so wonderful!
I did mention you in a comment on Doodlewash https://doodlewash.com/2016/03/19/koi-sketch-kit-and-cotman-pocket-box/ and you might want to do a guest page there as Shari Blaukopf did recently.
Thanks Lisa- I will check out Dodlewash, which I am not familiar with. I hope you are finding that you are making progress with your own art– keep at it is the key! BTW- I like your painting of the English robin– very spirited!
Thanks for the generous compliment on my wee robin — means a lot coming from you! It’s pin steps for now but a bit like learning a new language — lots of observation, practise and patience as well as frustration — but one day it will all click!
Yes, it will click! And sometimes you will do a piece that surprises you because you’ll look at it and know that you’re at a new level. It’s important to know that we’re all striving and working and growing in this. Onward!
So glad to see you featured today on Doodlewash! You are really going to get a lot of followers now. 🙂
Thanks to you!
Stunning!!!
Your art ALWAYS captures nature’s beauty and the essence of the moment whether it is a bird’s nest, eggs, lemons, beets, orchids, teapot or your mom’s room. You are my inspiration for journaling and being more aware of nature’s complexity.
Louanne- That is a VERY sweet and generous thing to say. Thank you. I’m glad I am doing what I set out to do, and I wish you all the best in your own artist journaling! — Jean
Absolutely gorgeous!
Thanks Teri– I had never painted orchids before and it was such a treat!
Congratulations, Jean! Your blog is one of my favorites. Your work is always inspiring and always beautiful!
Thanks Susan!!
Spectacular Jean! Thanks for bringing some brightness into my day.
beautiful
I always like your paintings. Many thanks for sharing.
Thanks Maria- That’s nice to hear!
As always your paintings and sketches are breathtakingly beautiful. What a lovely treat to be able to visit the botanical gardens and find a corner to sketch in. Sounds heavenly. Thank you for sharing these beauties and congratulations on reaching 100 posts!
It was a wonderful treat just to be around so many gorgeous and interesting plants. I’m glad I got to take a few home! Thanks for following and for your nice comments and support!
Congrats on your 100th posting. Another beauty. I went to the orchid show at Cleveland Botanical Garden this year and your featured orchid is on my monitor as we speak. Beautiful flowers there. I haven’t attempted to paint one yet but soon!
They are beauties. It’s interesting to paint one because it really forces you to look at the structure of the plant and all the subtle patterns.
I love your artwork. So talented.
Thanks for following and for your comment!
congrats on 100!
Thanks much!
You’re awesome at painting in watercolor! I also like how you made it look like a scientific journal entry.
Thanks for checking out my blog– glad you liked the orchids. I like the name of your blog!
Thx 😀