Hibiscus - Thank You Foto Bloke!

Hibiscus - Thank You Foto Bloke!, a photo by linfrye on Flickr.

9" x 12"
Arches 140#CP

With Valentine's Day tomorrow and the brief spot of winter winds we had this weekend, flowers and hearts, love and spring are returning to the forefront.

This hibiscus painting was inspired by a photo posted by Foto Bloke (www.flickr.com/photos/pax12/6807599341) -- please see his incredible works!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH, Tom!!!!

Tom's image was of a double hibiscus that was so beautiful in the sunshine, so filled with the warmth of its season, that painting it between company and car-buying this weekend kept me toasty warm and dreaming of the season ahead. My thanks once more, Tom!

We've another busy week at the Arboretum. Tonight will be a late night class as our 'full-house' of folks learn about container and square foot vegetable gardening. They'll plant some seeds in the greenhouse to take home with them for their own gardens. It's a mighty popular class each season we teach it.

The calendar is moving forward despite the lack of a snow this winter and the rain and cold we typically have. Already the bulbs are up, many more in bloom, and even the trees, bare these last months, have broken bud. On a sunny day one can notice the changes in the woodlands - froma winter-dull gray to a mild haze of magenta as tree buds swell and begin another season in the sun.

Spring's coming ....

Let us plant!