Paintings from Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

Tulip

Weeping Cherry and Garden Sculpture in the Japanese Garden

A week or more ago I promised I'd post the images I painted when I went to the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens.  Now, finally, here they are!  It was a splendidly beautiful day, and the gardens are so beautiful, they are entrancing.  I hope to go there again this week to paint the newest blooms - there's always something new coming up there.  We are so blessed here in Richmond to have such a great place.

orchids

violas

I remember when Andrew, my oldest, was a baby (around 1987-8). We lived in Lakeside and used to drive over to Lewis Ginter (then called Bloomendaals, after the house there) in the evening and walk around.  There was no gate.  It was mostly just the area around the house.  We would drive down the "street" in front of the house, park there, then stroll Andrew around the place.  There was no pond with water lilies, no Conservatory, no Welcome Center or Library, just the house.  It was a great place to walk around - it still is - it's just very, very different now! 

Cherries galore

While walking along the paths at Dayspring and looking down at the ground, I began to see some preternaturally red bits and pieces which looked like someone had spit out a gummi worm.  They definitely looked artificial.  Because the visitors at the center tend to be environmentalists at heart (and older than people who normally consume such fare), I looked for a different explanation.  Looking up, my query was answered - a bright beautiful cherry tree full of tiny cherries!  I don't know why the tree was so full, why the birds hadn't devoured each and every one, and why I shouldn't eat them - but I chose not to, concerned I might get ill from intestinal troubles.  They were so beautiful and tempting in the dew and the rain.We were given our own store-bought cherries during the retreat.  I couldn't help but try to paint them, luscious and juicy and rich as they were.