"Dogwood and Azeleas" - The May Diana Moses Botkin Artist's challenge

Oil on museum quality Ampersand Gessobord panel - 8" x 10"

THINK that I shall never see 

A painting lovely as a tree.

 

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest

Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;

 

A tree that looks at God all day,

And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

 

A tree that may in Summer wear

A nest of robins in her hair;

 

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;

Who intimately lives with rain.

 

Paintings are made by fools like me,

But only God can make a tree. 

 

 

Forgive me Joyce (Kilmer) for taking liberties with your poem.   This month's artist challenge was to paint a tree indigenous to your area.  Perhaps I'm not a big picture guy or maybe I just like the intimacy of these dogwood blossoms set against a backdrop of crimson azaleas.  They remind me of Andy Warhol's "Flowers" circa 1964.




I don't know if there were dogwoods in the forest of Arden, but there should have been.  This artist's life, my studio nestled in bucolic woods, pleases me well.  [My] life, exempt from public haunt,  finds tongues in trees, books in the running brook, sermons in stones, and good in everything.  ~ William Shakespeare




As for my fellow challengers, some have acquainted me with their woodland endeavors but alas, not all.  There is an slight abatement of imagery.  I fear this forest is but a glade.




 

                    "Reaching for the Sky"
                    Original oil on hardboard 11.5"x6"
                    ©2012 Diana Moses Botkin

 

 



 "West of Healing Springs"
11x14" Oil on Linen Panel
© Vicki Ross

 

 

 



 

 "Palo Verde Sunset"

14"x18" oil

 Becky Joy Fine Art