Wednesday 27 August 2014

Arum italicum - WIP


One of my dear friends had an accident some time ago and still is in a bad shape. She feels depressed about it all. She lives in England so I can't go and visit her or help her out but I decided to make her a drawing. Something to look at and to know people think about her and care. My drawings are all a small part of me and giving it to someone is the most personal gift possible. I think all artists will agree with me on that.

I have now lots of seedheads of Arum italicum in my garden. They start with green, shiny berries which start (at the top) to turn into bright orange ones. From a distance they look like orange gnome hats in the shadow under the trees. The common name of this plant is Lords-and-Ladies. A really wonderful name, like so many other English plant names.
They make me happy. I really don't like orange flowers and am not crazy about orange berries either but somehow these bright drumsticks make me smile. Perhaps it is that gnome-thing or maybe it's the memory of the sweet Flower Fairies paintings by Cicely M. Barker.


They just have something magical about them. So I picked a few from the garden and started to draw. It's not finished yet. I'm currently working on another big project as well so this takes a bit longer. My son told me I should do it in coloured pencil because it has been too long since I did a coloured pencil drawing. Who am I to disobey. Here's what I did so far. I'll post the finished one soon.


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4 comments:

shevaun said...

Such stunning work, Sigrid! I'm sure that your friend will be delighted. I also love the Flower Fairies when I was growing up... I think they have inspired a whole generation of botanical artists with their charming illustrations. It's good to see your work once more!

Heidi said...

Dit gaan so mooi wees Sigrid...hoop sy is gou weer op die been:)

Linda Miller, Artist said...

How delightful and so thoughtful, may this bring joy to your dear friend. Smiles Linda

krwoolsey said...

I feel like I could reach out and touch it. they look so real. They come up here in South Carolina in the winter and the berries are gone by May.