Peonies have an ongoing love affair with ants, did you know that? The attraction is in the opening bud of a Peony where it drips with nectar – so stand back because it’s the feast that ants wait for. It’s no wonder there is caution about these gorgeous flowers – bringing pretty white and pink bouquets of Peonies into your home can easily invite the neighborhood ant farm too ~ who knew?
Tender Peony, an acrylic painting (8×6) was completed on canvas paper using mainly Golden and Liquitex acrylic brand paints. I tried out some new brushes by Princeton Select (chisel blender and a flat shader) – that are soft synthetic bristles, the jury is still out on the lasting abilities. The painting was started with an underpainting that barely tinted the support – cerulean blue mixed with a hint of light burnt umber. A perfect backdrop for allowing the tender white peony to take center stage.
Thanks for visiting ~ click onto the image for a larger view.
Please don’t take my images – my art is copyrighted. Please don’t copy or use the image without receiving my permission first – see disclosure on the right panel.
My first painting since I was injured some months back – to say the least I’m very happy to be painting again. I sustained an injury several months ago to the nerves in my neck/shoulder that went straight down the arm and hand. A long healing process, but never-the-less I’m back at it.
Oil Pastels by Mary 
oops and of course before I rush off .. I LOVE your delicate peony painting 🙂
Thank you also for your kind comment on the peony painting, always appreciated – I really enjoyed doing this piece. I hope that the rains and storms your way hasn’t caused any damage. The news coming out is showing troubling images.
There’s been plenty of damage and sorrow about the resulting chaos from these storms indeed Mary . I feel very sorry for the people and businesses affected ..it’ll take sometime to get back to anything like more * normal for them . We’re fortunate to be a distance from the river Severn but many roads have been closed and travel to the Worcester has been problematic for many . Thank you for your thoughts x
A tough time and then I read more storms are expected this weekend.- very sad for the many people affected by these weather patterns.
I’ve not long re entered the blogosphere Mary .. happy to find you once again .
I trust things are improving by now, sorry to hear of your injury nerve damage does take considerable time to heal I’ve found that out by a seemingly uncomplicated finger cut x I’m about to move on to some more recent posts of yours 🙂
So wonderful to see you again Poppy – I’m happy that you were able to find my blog again. It’s been a while but I’m am doing well, all recovered. Sorry to learn of your finger cut and hope that it has healed. Glad that you are back in the blogging world – I will have to go check to see what you have been up too, including any interesting travels or perhaps some new paintings.
I adore peonies – the smell, the colours, the beauty…but not the ants. However, it’s fascinating to see the ants go to work on the buds, isn’t it?
Your piece has captured everything that’s beautiful about these flowers.
Ruth, your comment means so much to me. Thank you for being so generous in your response to the painting and for visiting. Hope you are enjoying your summer.
Awesome artwork! I like your thought behind the work as well.
Thank you for your lovely and kind comment, it is really appreciated. Thank you also for visiting!
I really enjoyed seeing this post, but then the next one arrived – and wow! you just keep getting better and better and better and better…. it’s always a joy to see your posts!
It is so wonderful to see you again Lisa! Thank you for your kind comment and compliment, coming from such a talented artist means a lot. I don’t paint as often as I would like, but when I do it gives me a good deal of satisfaction. I’ve missed corresponding with you. Hope you are well my friend.
It’s beautiful
Means much – thank you for visiting and leaving such a wonderful comment!
Aloha! Beautiful peony painting!
Thank you Gabriela for your lovely comment, its very much appreciated.
As always I so much enjoy seeing your creations Mary. This one is a beauty. Happy to touch base with you again. It’s been too long.
Thank you Susan for being so generous and kind with your words of encouragement. I agree and will hopefully be able to see more of your work. Your latest was just wonderful.
Sorry to hear about your accident. Glad you are back painting. This is another beautifully detailed flower. The smell is so sweet.
Hi June, great to hear from you. Thank you for your nice comment and response to the painting. I hope this finds you well- love, cousin Mary
So happy to hear you have recovered! Well, your comeback painting is just gorgeous!!! I’ve been trying to paint white on Art Gowns. It is a very difficult thing to do, especially coming from fashion sketching. I love the peony, and I know all about the ants.
I can hardly wait to see more paintings!
Oh, for some reason, I have fallen off of some follows. So, I’m having to refollow.
Take care! _Resa ❦
So good to hear to hear from you Resa- sorry I didn’t see your comment earlier it was in spam. Thank you for the kind words and always encouraging comments. Whites are still a color I am trying to get comfortable painting – can’t imagine doing it on a gown. Still working on my next painting and so far if it doesn’t improve it may not see the light of day. I hope you have a wonderful week ahead. I am looking forward to seeing what you have been up too.
A favorite that does not grow here, sadly. The ants have very good taste. So glad you are feeling better!
Too bad, because your Garden for Goldens would be a perfect place for these beauties. Thank you for your kind words – really enjoyed hearing from you. Hope to visit your blog soon.
Sorry to hear you injury, Mary. Hope you are recovery well.
Beautiful painting of this lovely peony. 🙂
Thank you Amy, so nice to see you again. I really appreciate your kind words and looking forward to seeing your latest photography sessions.
Take care, Mary.
Sorry to know about your injury, nice you are now back with us 🙂 Love the lightness in your painting, the light and the colours are special!
robert
Thank you Robert for your kind words. Thanks for noticing the light and lightness in the painting, they were elements I was trying to achieve – very much appreciated!!
So sorry to know about your injury but nice you are now back. I love the lightness in your painting, beautiful light and colours.
robert
So good to see you back. You have captured the light, ethereal, quality of the petals
Thank you so much Derrick for your lovely response to the painting – I really appreciate it. I’m glad to be back and painting again. I think of you and the head gardner – I hope you both are well and that your gardens are flourishing with gusto this year.
Looks like the best year in the garden
Hopefully I will be able to see it tomorrow when I am reading through blog posts.
🙂
So great to see you back, Mary. Love the delicate peony which your artistry has captured so perfectly. I was looking for a couple of ants but they seem to have gone AWOL. 😅
So great to hear from you Sylvia – I couldn’t help but laugh at your great response about the ants!! That was just perfect. Thank you for your thoughtful words, you made my day.
You’ve made me smile too. I’m sitting at the airport about to embark on the first leg of our journey to England and South Africa. 😃
Safe travels and hope you bring back many wonderful memories ~ photo’s too! Thank you my friend.
Sorry to hear about your nerve pain, but I’m glad you’re healing and feeling better. The peony is gorgeous. 🙂
Hi Judy, thank you and for your kind words. I am much better these days and am happy being able to operate much as before. I’m glad you enjoyed the painting – couldn’t let Spring go by without a few floral paintings!
Gorgeous, Mary! I so happy to hear you’re painting once again. Just don’t over do it. xo
Great to see you Jill and thank you for always being present. Your encouragement is spurs me on – just getting started on my next piece. Looking forward to reading about your newest book and writing adventures!
Truly beautiful.
Thank you Nico, I do appreciate hearing from you!
🙂
Beautiful! You have not lost the surreal talent that results in gorgeous works of art. I am so happy to see you back and at it again!
Thank you so much Dorann for your wonderful words of encouragement and compliment – I really appreciate it. I’m glad to be back again – an interesting journey for sure. Wondering how your new dog is doing and looking forward to seeing your latest news.
So glad to see you painting again. I am sorry you were injured, and wish you continued healing. This painting is beautiful!
Great to see you again. Thank you for visiting and being so generous in your comments – always appreciated. Glad you enjoyed the painting.
Beautiful
Thanks Lee for your kind comment – much appreciated!!
Gorgeous!
Wonderful to see you Cindy – thank you for your kind word, it means a lot. I’ll bet you have some gorgeous photographs of the wildflowers that took over the CA landscape this Spring. Looking forward to seeing your latest posts.
A gorgeous painting of a peony, Mary, and I’m so glad you are healed and back to your art. Nerve pain and damage is certainly difficult.
Thank you so much Jane and wonderful to see you again. I can’t tell you how happy I am to be able to paint again – I just have to pace myself and remember to take breaks. Looking forward to seeing your latest photographs of my favorite city. Thank you again ~
Esp appreciate and study skill displayed with transparent glass vessel with water and you have done it well.
Great to see you again Carl, thank you so much for your feedback and assessment on the glass – means a lot that you would study the piece and take note.
Mary, this painting captures the lusciousness of the peony so perfectly. Nerve damage is really tricky, so I am very glad you came out of ready and able to paint again.
Thank you so much Jet – I really enjoyed your description. It’s been a tough road honestly. Only residual effect is my thumb pad that buzzes 100% of the time like it’s trying to wake up. Hopefully the nerves will fully wake up in this one last area. Looking forward to your latest posts ~
Glad you are painting again after your injury, and this one shows that you have lost none of your skills and talent. It’s a lovely painting!
Thank you so much Hien, I always appreciate your gracious comments. It was quite a road back, to be honest I wasn’t sure I’d be painting again. But here we are – I’m really happy that I can enjoy the process of creating again. Looking forward to seeing your latest photography.
Simply beautiful. Welcome back. 🙂
Means a lot – thank you for your thoughtful words of encouragement.
Exquisite,Mary.
You are so kind Patricia – thank you and wonderful to see you again.