The beginning sketch...
Half way through the painting...
Yellow and burgundy bearded iris are staple flowers in many older gardens here in Edmonton, and probably throughout most of Canada. An heirloom variety it found it's way to Canada with the hardy pioneers who settled this vast country. Thankfully this flower species as well as the rugged people who transported it to Canada survived the harsh conditions in the New World.
Canada's 150th birthday is definitely the time to celebrate our heritage and all the things we think of as being Canadian... like yellow and burgundy iris and of course... butter tarts!
Happy 150 Canada!
(*The finished painting will be posted next week.)