I took dozens of photos of the 5 bird of paradise flowers that I bought. Did you know that the florist has to open the bud and that there are multiple flowers inside? I didn’t. I broke a few as I separated them out, but used a straight pin to hold them up. The flower base of these had a lot more red on them and were more green than blue. There is no background with these, so I have to make it up as I go along. Maybe I will try to purchase some flowers with another florist. These flower petals seemed more narrow than the ones I photographed in the garden and the flowers a little dried out, even before opening them..
More Bird of Paradise
11 May 2026 Leave a comment
in artwork Tags: acrylic art, acrylic landscape, bird of paradise, bird of paradise plant, botanical art, botanical painting
Bird of Paradise Linocuts
29 Apr 2026 Leave a comment
in artwork Tags: bird of paradise, bird of paradise plant, block print, block printing, block prints, botanical linocut, Linocut, linocut print
After the acrylic paintings, I wanted to try a Bird of Paradise linocut. I think I over did the cutting, so I won’t sell a plain one, but these two colored versions turned out pretty well. Which do you prefer.
First lily pad painting of the year
19 Apr 2026 Leave a comment
in artwork Tags: acrylic art, acrylic painting, botanical art, botanical painting, lily pad, lily pad painting, lily pad pond, lily pond, lotus flower, water lily, water lily painting, water lotus, water lotus painting
Several phases of the lily pad painting. I have let it sit for a few weeks while travelling, and I like it as it is. Varnish next.
Another lily pad painting while I look for more Bird of Paradise flowers locally
12 Apr 2026 Leave a comment
in artwork Tags: botanical art, botanical painting, lily pad, lily pad painting, lily pad pond, lily pond, lotus flower, water lotus, water lotus painting
I am asking some local florists if they can locate some Bird of Paradise flowers for me. I liked paintings from the photos I took in Florida and might make a new series of paintings with them. In the meantime, here is one of my fallback, staple lily pads.
Is It Done?
30 Mar 2026 Leave a comment
in artwork Tags: bird of paradise, bird of paradise plant, botanical art, botanical painting
I am going back and forth on this and may just let it sit for a while. It looks nice with the first one, but I still am iffy on the lower left area. I bought some bird of paradise flowers fairly cheaply from a local florist so I could have more photographs to work from. They weren’t as nice as the live one from the Florida yard, but I think they will do as inspiration for another set of paintings.
Second Bird of Paradise
23 Mar 2026 Leave a comment
in artwork Tags: bird of paradise, bird of paradise plant, botanical art, botanical painting
I enjoyed painting the first one. Here is the start of number two. This has been a work in progress. The extra leaves in the middle one seemed a bit much so I took them out.
Bird of Paradise Done?
15 Mar 2026 Leave a comment
in artwork Tags: bird of paradise, bird of paradise plant, botanical art, botanical painting, exotic flowers
I think this one is finished. I think I will paint another one to match.
Bird of Paradise Painting
05 Mar 2026 Leave a comment
in artwork Tags: bird of paradise, bird of paradise plant, botanical art, botanical painting, flower art
I took the reference photos for this painting on our short sojourn to Florida last November. There was a bird of paradise plant growing in a garden I waited in while my husband was in a clinic. The colors are something to see. I am actually considering trying to buy one for my house.
It’s Close to Being Done
26 Feb 2026 Leave a comment
in artwork Tags: acrylic art, acrylic landscape, Idaho, Idaho foothills, idaho landscape
I have been working off and on with this painting over the last month. Most of the time it is only for 15-20 minutes at a time making small changes. Can’t quite decide if it’s done or not yet.
Boise Foothills Flowers
10 Feb 2026 Leave a comment
in artwork Tags: Boise, Boise foothills, Boise Idaho, Boise landscape
It is so sere in the Boise foothills that these flowers caught my eye one trip out there. I thought it be nice contrast of a yellow flower against the dry grasslands.
Ruth's Artwork