Spring Hellebore

Bear's Foot Hellebore

It's Easter Sunday, somewhat rainy and cold here in Maryland, but signs of spring are definitely here.  Some early cherry trees are in bloom although the one outside my window teases with branches loaded with burgeoning buds.  Just one warm day will bring them out.  The weeping willow down the road shows a fine yellow-green haze--a promise of spring to come.  The deepening alizarin crimson buds on the trees behind my house are a prelude to unfurling, green foliage.  Here and there, where the sun has warmed the soil, are a few snow drops, crocuses, and, increasingly, bright daffodils.

In my studio all is spring.  I'm preparing for an exhibition at Cylburn Arboretum this Memorial Day weekend.  This watercolor is of hellebore that were blooming in early April a couple of years ago.  The name doesn't do justice to the loveliness of these pale green blossoms.  The "Lenten Rose," also a hellebore, wins in the name category.

I've just finished an oil of the limonaia (lemon greenhouse) in the Boboli Gardens, Florence, Italy that I saw last April.  I also painted an oil of apple blossoms, so close that I often feel lost in the profusion of petals.  Yesterday, an oil painting of the cherry tree orchard at Cylburn just seemed to paint itself.  I'll post these soon.

In the meantime,  a very Happy Easter to everyone.  Enjoy spring if it has come to you; if not, know that it is coming.