Lily of the valley ~ Convallaria majalis

Many of the flowers we have in the garden began in the gardens of friends and family. The lilies of the valley that a friend gave us 30 years ago has spread from a few plants to a large colony that has covered the flower bed on the north side of our home. The simple creamy white blossoms with the wonderful scent make a lovely floral carpet beneath the ferns and bleeding hearts each spring.

This botanical portrait was done in colored pencil on an 11" x 14" sheet of Fabriano Artistico hot pressed watercolor paper.

Beginnings~

Due to our cold snowy winter, there were quite a few casualties in the garden. Lots of damage to the roses and other shrubs. But I am amazed at how they are all bouncing back. Nature does it's own pruning sometimes. It's so encouraging to also see the flowers that survived below the surface now coming into bloom.

Today, at long last, I was able to sit down in my studio and start my first flower drawing of the season. One of my favorites, lily-of-the-valley. I love the gracefulness and simplicity of it's form.

To begin the process, I arranged the cutting in a vase and took many photos should the flowers should fade before the drawing is completed. My preliminary sketch is now finished. The next step will be to do some color sketches in my sketchbook.