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THE ORIGIN OF THE SPECIES is the name of my up and coming exhibition.

The paintings are of large single blooms set against a background that tells you something about the plant's origins. eg the picture I'm about to post is called IRIS. The background has four separate references to the history of the iris.

1. The fleur de lys was an ancient symbol for the iris, which had religious and magical signifigence for the Romans.

2. I couldn't resist the temptation to include Van Gogh's IRISES, without doubt the most famous iris painting.

3. The main background is taken from a 19th century Japanese wood block engraving. The iris motif was very popular in the IMAGES OF THE FLOATING WORLD engravings of the period. 

4. I've included an early herbal as the iris species was often featured in herbals and botanical manuscripts. 

As a picture is worth a thousand words I'll now treat you to the picture itself!

Today (31 01 2013) i've just finished 'the pink and green'. It's a commission and i'm so pleased with it.

It's one of my trade mark still life which i still love doing, in spite of thinking they are somewhat old fashioned.

I've called it pink and green because i enjoy basing a picture on complementary colours.

The sweetpeas are from the garden, so i've done the painting from life, which is the process which best suits me.

What do you think?

This still life study is to assure you that I still paint in my original genre.--classic domestic still life!

Just an Army commission from 2012.