Flowers and Finding my Floral Self

A slight digression from both sugar canes and Nairobi prostitutes, I had to dive deep into the garden to get inspiration for this latest batch of paintings. I am fascinated with the color and shape of Kenyan flowers- some are like typical American blooms, and others have a ruggedness and wildness that is all Africa. Bold rude colors, unapologetic. Fairy light purples. Yellow so jaundiced it will cut your teeth with lemon like sharpness. I am really loving it, and finding it to be a stepping stone to other work. Helen Frankenthaler, one of my favorite painters, said that she had to start from tiny watercolor florals, painted carefully and realistically, before she could get into the studio and "let her rip" with her color field staining. (from Painters Painting, an which I recommend with both thumbs covered in cobalt blue.) Okay, I say, bring on the posies!