Feeling flowers

Do  you agree with Ralph Waldo Emerson that the earth laughs in flowers? I do.  Flowers are such an integral part of my existence; I could not imagine a world without them.  There are certain times of the year that I think about flowers more than others , and spring (so called , little evidence yet) in Newfoundland is one of those times. As I look out at a light dusting of snow today (yes , snow) , I am happy I have beautiful tulips on my coffee table.

Happiness reflected

I can't get enough fresh flowers in my house , but my budget doesn't allow frequent trips to the florist resulting in long gaps between vibrant colour.  No deals in this city when it comes to flowers!  I constantly joke that if I won a million dollars I would have fresh flowers in every room of my house every day.   Yep , that would be the first change I would make. Not a very exciting option according to friends , but it would make me happy.

  Flowers also move me to paint.  I  go through cycles of painting florals and gardens , and several weeks ago when  I was  in total despair about the weather I went downstairs and painted a fantasy bouquet.  I had no reference , these are not identifiable flowers; they are a hybrid I dreamed up to represent the many flowers I like.

Feeling Flowers (2014 ) Margaret Ryall

This work is a joyful  expression of my love for flowers. Painting helps me to bridge the seasonal gap between winter and spring while I wait for nature to turn green and colourful. Sometimes my work is the exact opposite of Feeling Flowers.  It can be close up , calculated , detailed - an invitation to the viewer to take a closer look at the world of plants.

Garden Patterns I (2010) Margaret Ryall

Garden patterns II (2010) Margaret Ryall

Leyton Gallery of Fine Art 

 But all the paintings come from my deep love of flowers , a love born early as I lay face down in the meadow and smelled the buttercups.

 Red poppies are favourites because they are so brilliant and fragile. I am attracted to them in all their guises: in a garden , painted or as design motifs on household items.

 

 I don't even mind a good fake poppy as an accent in decor.

 Where did all this poppy design love come from?

 Well , it started a long time ago with the first  Marimekko's poppy design released in  1964!  I was not very old when  I first saw  Finnish textile designer ,Maija Isola  iconic unikko design  in a magazine in our local library.  A love affair began.

And now 50 years later , I am thinking about this same design for a duvet cover in my guest room.

 

  In many ways 2014 is the year of the poppy because I just received two metres of Marimekko fabric from my daughter . Then my sister got in on the act and made me 12 dinner napkins from the fabric. A family affair for sure.

 

From tulips in the flesh ,  fantasy flowers , poppies and wherever your heart desires if you feel flowers.

I will end as I began , with a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson...

" Flowers.... are a proud assertion that a ray of beauty out values all the utilities of the world".  

Sometimes you get to combine both !  

Happy Mother's Day 2014.