Blue Flowers Watercolor At Natural World Show

I'm excited to announce that jurors for the Chicago Alliance of Visual Artists selected one of my flower watercolors, Exploring, to appear in  the group's summer art show, The Natural World, which runs Monday, August 4, through Saturday, September 20, at the historic Mayslake Peabody Estate in Oak Brook, IL.

So I, and my artwork, will be "back at the mansion" for a second time this summer after participating in the Midwest Nature show, Mayslake Peabody's exhibit just prior to The Natural World.

Double fun, doubly wonderful.

Join Me Wednesday, August 13, At The Artists' Reception

Please join me at the artists' reception for The Natural World, which will be held Wednesday, August 13, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 31st St. in Oak Brook, IL. 

I will attend the opening. Do join me: I'm looking forward to sharing Exploring, my painting of blue flowers, with you.

It will be fun to gather at this inspiring show in a spacious, historic venue - Mayslake Peabody, a onetime mansion, now operates as a cultural community center within a forest preserve. It's a beautiful site, and the gallery extends over several rooms with large windows that overlook beautifully maintained grounds.

Also, the organizers will provide an array of imaginative and tasty non-alcoholic beverages at the reception.

Admission is free.

About Exploring

During a period of creating several flower paintings, I realized one day that I really, really wanted to paint something blue. That's how Exploring happened: instead of turning to more typical flower colors such as pink, red, or yellow, I dipped my brush in blue and painted some petals, and then the work took on a life of its own.

Flowers began to appear fully formed and open, and it felt so good to create something different. The result was this burst of three flowers with a couple of buds and several eager green leaves, all reaching upward to explore life above the ground, in the fresh and open air.

Exploring is painted on a rare vintage mulberry paper that was handmade and aged over decades to achieve a soft white hue and a mellow yet lively texture. This paper shows off watercolor pigments in full color to complement the mulberry fibers and texture.

I mounted the painting on handmade cotton paper using traditional techniques and then worked with skilled framers to preserve this piece with custom, archival materials. A blue inner mat brings out the flowers' beauty and contrasts with the larger white outer mat; a dark blue wood frame completes the look; and conservation grade glass seals and protects the entire work.

I wrote a bit about this painting recently:

The first stirrings of desire, when the call comes to start exploring. What lies beyond? Let's find out!

Watch the flowers...they're full of wisdom.

Every spring, they remind us what it's like to be a child, just starting out on Planet Earth and wanting to explore life.

This blue blossom trio has just bloomed. They're lifting their heads above the green leaves below, reaching out toward the sunlight and ready to explore existence as the beautiful flowers they are.

With them, two buds, also lifting up from slumber in the ground. Soon they'll follow suit and burst forth into full flower and adventures of their own.

Capture this curious, questing spirit for yourself with this beautiful blue painting that carries so much meaning in its natural simplicity. Here's to your discoveries!

See More Flower Paintings

You can see more of my flower watercolors in the Flower Painting Collections area of this website.

You'll find three special collections of colorful watercolors that celebrate nature's beauty through flowers. Check out the Branching Out, Spring Morning, and Gentle Flowers collections now to see an array of uplifting paintings.

About The Natural World

The Natural World is this year's edition of the Chicago Alliance of Visual Artists (CAVA) annual summer member exhibition.

Jurors asked artists to send work with a nature theme and welcomed a range of categories: drawing, painting, printmaking, mixed media, collage, photography, digital art, and fiber art.

Exhibiting artists are eligible for an array of prizes, from best in show to awards of excellence to honorable mentions; the jurors will award prizes at the artists' reception. 

The Chicago Alliance of Visual Artists (CAVA) is a volunteer not-for-profit organization founded in 1988 to serve artists age 50+. It offers members throughout the Chicago area opportunities to exhibit artwork in notable venues. It also organizes events for members to come together; besides exhibitions, it presents salons, member luncheons, workshops, an annual symposium, and special events.

Exhibit Location And Hours

Mayslake Peabody Estate is located at 1717 31st St. in Oak Brook, IL.

The gallery hosting the show is open Monday through Friday, noon to 3 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. It is closed Sundays and select holidays.

The DuPage Forest Preserve, which operates the venue, offers tours at 12:30 p.m. weekdays and 11:30 a.m. Saturdays. For more information, call 630-206-9566.