A Little (Lotta) Lilac Love

It's that beautiful time of year when the air is heavy with the sweet fragrance of lilacs. I have four common lilac shrubs (Syringa vulgaris). They are planted around the corner of our house where there are no windows. Their tantalizing scent draws us out of the house and around the corner to visit them. I bury my nose in in the blossoms whenever I pass by. I am sensitive to many fragrances but I have no trouble at all with the scent of lilacs. Thankfully.

I did the watercolour painting below in 2012. I think it's one of the originals that I will always hang onto. I offer both prints and cards with this image and they continue to be among my most popular products. I often use my Lilacs image on the little thank you cards that I include with orders. Maybe you've received one from me.

My original 'Lilacs' watercolour painting

Set of 5 Lilac note cards

My dwarf Palibin lilac is gearing up to bloom just as the others fade.

I did my 'Lilac Sprig' watercolour in 2013. That original has sold but I offer the image as a print and note cards. I took advantage of the lilacs being in bloom to take this new photo on my 'Lilac Sprig' print this past week. It's a sweet 5" x 7" print that looks very pretty framed.

I don't cut lilacs often for bouquets. I find that they don't last very long in a vase. I couldn't resist cutting a few though recently and they were drooping by the next day. Does anyone have a trick for making cut lilacs last? I would love to hear it!

And to close, a little music sung by Jeff Buckley. Because lilacs!

❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤

Update: My friend, Margie, of Resurrection Fern has given me a tip for making cut lilacs last longer. She suggests smashing the woody stems with a mallet or meat tenderizer. I will give this a try!

When Art Finds A Home

Last night, a customer bought my 'Lilac Sprig' original watercolour as well as a 'Ladybug' print on Etsy. Selling an original always brings mixed emotions. I've talked about this before and other artists have said the same thing--it can be hard to decide to put originals on sale. They are part of us. It's especially hard when it is a painting we are really happy with like this one. On the other hand, a drawer full of paintings that aren't shared with anyone doesn't make much sense either. I've sold many originals over the years and always deal with a tug at my heart when I do it. Some I hold on to longer than others. I also think it's important to keep some. 

I painted this one last May using a sprig from my garden as a reference (not the same sprig that's at the top of the photo but very close). I used beautiful handmade paper from Twinrocker.

I had tears in my eyes when I saw the sale yesterday: happiness at having my art connect with someone, sadness at having to say goodbye to a loved painting.

I sent an email to the customer thanking her for her purchase as I always do. She answered with the loveliest note and told me that it was the first piece of original art she has ever bought for her home. I was so touched to learn that and I can't stop smiling. My painting has found just the right home. ❤