Astral Daffodils

Astral Daffodils, 16x20, Patricia Bennett

Here are some Daffodils in Space.

The daffodils are blooming, these are from our yard.

 We have a small presence in this amazing Universe.  Flowers are beautiful and so is the Universe.

Auburn

Auburn, 18x24, Patricia Bennett

The second stage of the painting.

Auburn start, 18x24, Patricia Bennett

This is the beginning of a portrait, of a wedding portrait.  She will have daffodils in her hair, and a lovely wedding dress and some nice earrings.  I used Sargent as inspiration.

Wedding at Cylburn

Cylburn Wedding, worked on afterwards, 24x36, Patricia Bennett

Cylburn Wedding, 24x36, Patricia Bennett

I painted a charming afternoon wedding at Cylburn today, where I am the 2013 Artist in Residence.

The ceremony and reception took place in the Mansion's elegant "White"room between 2:30 and 4:30 pm.   I stood in front of a priceless white marble fireplace with my paints and canvas.

I plan to add details to the painting of the moulding and four golden candelabras in the room, which overlooks Cylburn's "lawn".

The caterers were the owners of a nice coffee shop/book store on Hartford Road called "The Red Canoe".  They tried to feed me during the event, which was very thoughtful.

Outside the weather was chilly, but daffodils, cherry blossoms, and heliotropes were happily flowering.

Heliotrope and snowdrop

Heliotrope and Snow Drop, by Patricia Bennett, 10x10

Early spring brings the heliotropes and snow drops at Cylburn Arboretum.  This painting will be in the Cylburn Artist in Residence Show in November at the Mansion.

Cylburn Maples

Cylburn Maples, Patricia Bennett, 12x14, oil on panel

Cylburn Maples print in 11x14" frame, Patricia Bennett

A nice wedding present for a couple tying the knot at Cylburn Arboretum.

Purple Heliotrope

Purple Heliotrope at Cylburn Arboretum, 8x8", Patricia Bennett

Spring is arriving at Cylburn Arboretum.

Jennifer Torrence, Master Gardener at Cylburn Arboretum, gave me a tour of Cylburn Arboretum's plants and trees in late February.  She pointed out the fascinating "heliotropes", and the snow drops, which were already blooming.  Another early bloomer is the bright yellow witch hazel bush.

The heliotrope is a fascinating space-age looking plant.  The blooms are either purple or green or white, and can have stripes in them.