Zinnias in Art
September 23, 2012
I came across this Mary Cassatt portrait, which features a red zinnia. That was inspiration enough to try my hand at painting one (which ended up being two).
Woman with a Red Zinnia, 1891, by Mary Cassatt
Detail of Cassatt’s painting, Woman with a Red Zinnia
Watercolor sketch of zinnia
Another watercolor sketch of a zinnia
Rosemary's Blog 
September 23, 2012 at 8:58 am
oh the second one is just … breathtaking!
September 23, 2012 at 10:49 am
Thank you!
September 23, 2012 at 5:15 pm
I’ve never seen this Cassatt. I know, I know – Cassatt’s a great painter, and I do enjoy her work. But I like your red zinnias better than hers in this case.
September 25, 2012 at 7:51 am
Your zinnia, which is one of my favorite cutting garden flowers, is beautiful, Rosemary! Beyond amazing! The ability to transfer, with such accurate detail what your eyes see, onto paper… You inspire me! So much so that I am taking my first watercolor painting class tomorrow. A six-week beginners class that runs through October. Have you taken classes? I have observed that you notice things as you pass through your day. Too often in our hurried, harried lives, we miss the beauty that surrounds us. A painter must pause and really notice the details. It is when we are truly immersed in that pause, releasing the concerns of this world even momentarily, that we feel peace and joy and gratitude.
September 25, 2012 at 8:32 am
Adrienne, good luck with your class. I think you obviously have the eye and talent (and passed these traits on to your daughters), so I hope you share some of your new creations on your blog. I had a great art teacher in 7th and 8th grades, then took applied design classes through the college of home economics at the U of M during my final year at the university. It’s been many years since I’ve taken up a pen or brush, and now I’m finding my way slowly, pretty much on my own. I’m enjoying the process, as I’m sure you will.
September 26, 2012 at 5:26 pm
That last painting is just simply brilliant. 🙂
September 26, 2012 at 7:10 pm
Thank you! I like it, too.