Rhododendrons, acrylic on canvas, 16x20

I painted at the Kinsmen Gorge Park  with the Victoria Sketch Club. I really felt inspired by these gorgeous flowers. I didn't think they were all that well rendered but I got a lot of positive feedback from passers by. 

Afternoon Garden, 11x14, acrylic on canvas

I painted this this afternoon as the sun was setting. I think I will change the background. I think a darker background will give it depth.

Oriental Poppies, acrylic on canvas, 16x20

These poppies opened just yesterday. I hadn't brought a large enough canvas so I had to wait till this morning to paint them. They proved to be the most popular painting of the ones I brought to the causeway today. I know it will find a good home soon.
Everything is awakening in the community garden. Every morning there are many new flowers opened which weren't there the day before. There are just so many things to paint...I am like a kid in the candy store. Imagine if I could just paint all day. I think I would turn out three a day

Irises, avcrylic on canvas, 11x14

These irises are from the Michigan street community garden. They don't last long so I just had to paint them today. They are the ones from right beside the bird bath. The birds were rather disturbed and made lots of scolding sounds and wouldn't use the bath while I was there.

Joy's Garden, acrylic, 11x14

It was an overcast day this morning and the community garden was bustling with gardeners. Thursday is the day produce is harvested and donated to the community center.

Here's another portrait of those lovely parrot tulips. They are just so showy. 

Spring Joy, acrylic, 16x20

I worked in the rain all day. I just couldn`t get the purple the way I wanted it. They look alright though..
I've really enjoyed doing my recent garden series. I didn't plan for them to turn out the way they did. I wanted a painterly grown up type of painting but they are whimsical like seed packet pictures from the olden days. 

Tulips 4, acrylic on canvas, 24x24

I did this one in two parts. I started it in the morning then    went to paint the blue bridge with the sketch club. Then I returned in the late afternoon to finish it. (While I painted the blue bridge my heart was with the tulips)
The petals are beginning to drop off the dark tulips. sigh