Since I got home from the Fredericksburg Art School, life has been a bit hectic. I've made progress in my garage/studio (almost complete), but some days it's just been too cold/windy to paint outdoors! (Plus the allergens, are keeping my nose red!) So one day, chomping at the bit, I drug everything into my kitchen, set up shop. I looked through a lot of photos and decided on the subject matter. Every April, on Whidbey Island there is a Tulip Festival in Skaggit. Now being a Texas girl, I'm use to seeing mile after mile of open spaces, planted with crops. Agricultural is a big part of the Lone Star State. Cotton, corn, maze, sorgham, etc. are a common site.
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But nothing short of the Wizard of Oz could prepare me for what I'd see at the Tulip Festival! Maybe it will save alot of typing if I just show you some photos.
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This is what you see while approaching...not bad.........
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.....and then...
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you get closer........
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wow!..........that's pretty...........and...........
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closer.....
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and trust me!
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These tulips are huge!...each one the size of you fist!
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And ten miles later .................
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you've seen every color under the rainbow!
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Absolutely breath taking!
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So I decided to paint from these photos. I took a little something from here and there
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and this is what I painted first.
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And for those who'd like a close-up!
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......and look, there is even a signature!
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Then, because I was having so much fun, I painted another one
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.....and signed it too!
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Now they sit happily, side by side, waiting for a future together (sssshh....I've even heard there might be a wedding!).
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Footnote: I wanted to mention that the reason I got to see this lovely site was because Beth, Nate and Carter took me there, while I was visiting them on Whidbey Island in 2007. I took the picture (left) of Carter....and Beth took another one last year! I'll never forget it!
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