Sunday 14 March 2010

Happy Mothers Day

From the "Essence of Summer" Collection of Rose Paintings
By Jean Haines

Having lived all over the world I have discovered that the date of Mothers Day varies depending on where you live. For those living in UK today is Mothering Sunday. Lucky Mums  will be woken with cups of tea,  given bunches of flowers along with  pretty cards and taken out for a Mothering Sunday lunch.. It is a special day.

Earlier this week I bought a variety of flowers for my workshop so that  everyone attending had the opportunity to paint from life rather than a photograph.This to me is the very best way to capture exciting and unique results.The florist mentioned that this weekend the price of flowers would be very high. 

Considering the humble beginning of giving gifts to Mothers it seems such a turn of events. Years ago servants would be allowed to visit their Mothers as an annual day off. They would usually go to Church and families united would enjoy simple fayre. Posies given could have been picked from hedgerows. Cakes were often made to be offered as gifts and the whole day was one where everyone could simply treasure the joy of being together.

Love is such a small word that can be expressed in the most  amazing of ways.

I hope this Mothering Sunday the true meaning behind the day exists for many. 
To show Mothers just how much they are loved and appreciated.

Happy Mothers Day!

***************************

4 comments:

  1. Jean, A very happy mothers day to you too.....although I'm only a mum to my cats, they bring me such joy and love. I adore this painting, and aspire to this lovely loose, soft painting style if I ever began painting flowers. Your workshop sounds like lots of fun. I do so love looking at flower paintings in watercolor. What would be the best advice for starting to paint flowers?
    Maggie

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow! What a lovely painting. You knew just what to leave out. It is so soft and simple...which makes it hard to do. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hello Maggie, for me it is always a nessecity to fall in love with my subject which makes it far easier to paint.

    Studying its form and sense of whether it is delicate or not helps with my brushstrokes and getting the colour absolutely right helps too.

    I have a simple step by step on painting a flower without sketching in my book that takes only a few minutes. It may help you gain an insight into how I work and I will try to add more flowers here as well.

    What are your favourite flowers,not to paint but simply to be enjoyed? I can work on a few ideas for you to try?

    They really are addictive once you get into the habit of painting them. One just isnt enough!

    Jean

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Kathy,thank you so much.

    My style really does depend very much on what I omit than what I put in and I am thrilled you noticed that in this painting which is one of my favourites! Thank you for a lovely reply

    Jean

    ReplyDelete

Welcome to my blog,please feel free to leave a comment.......