Hoping to find a place with fewer distractions, I walked down a shaded path to the older display gardens at Schreiner's Iris Gardens. There I found an intimate setting for me to study the structures of these amazing flowers.
Many photographers found their way back to this area, and I had several stimulating conversations with them about composition, lighting, style, and perspective. So much for not being distracted.
That's another thing I love about art: it brings people together. And that is a wondrous experience! Even if it is a distraction. Maybe it was the most important part of my painting day.
When I was at the Getty in January, I stood in front of van Gogh's iris painting and stared. I could hardly breathe. I'm sure I drooled (just a little). I was mesmerized by its beauty. It was brilliant! Van Gogh's way of capturing the sensual forms and lines and colors really got to me. I was bowled over. That's probably why I was so enthralled with Schreiner's Iris Gardens. But, I never seemed to really paint with van Gogh's abandon. But, this weekend, I tried another iris painting in my studio. I hoped to channel van Gogh. This iris portrait is big, about 30" x 28". No van Gogh. Just a Katherine. Maybe next time.
