Journal Des Muses
An ongoing visual and conversational diary about my work and life as an artist.
"Tulip Field, Skagit Valley." Oil on Canvas, 4x4" 2016.
The tulip is the world’s peace flower, with special status in countries like The Netherlands and Turkey. It has a “sacred significance” in Istanbul.
"Tulipmania," as it is known, occurred during the Dutch Golden Age, when a rare tulip bulb went for the cost of 12 acres of land.
Read More"Morning Harvest." Oil on Canvas, 4x4," 2016.
The tulip is the world’s peace flower, with special status in countries like The Netherlands and Turkey. It has a “sacred significance” in Istanbul.
Upon wrapping up my visit, I am touched by the simple elegance of the tulip harvest, filled with so much honor and meaning. These people are earning their living by picking tulips. It is my privilege to witness the dignity of which they are earning their livelihood.
I will remember this experience for a long time. The next time I stop in the grocery store to purchase my $4 bundle of tulips, I will say a silent "Thanks" to those who picked them for me.
Read More"Returning from the Field." Oil on Canvas, 4x4." 2016.
The word "anthology" derives from ancient Greek, anthologos, (antho + logos, adj. derivative of légein to pick up, collect) literally means "flower-gathering."
So, how does flower gathering have anything to do with literature and anthologies?
Well, an anthology is a collection of literary works chosen by the compiler. It may be a collection of poems, short stories, plays, songs, or excerpts. In genre fiction anthology is used to categorize collections of shorter works such as short stories and short novels, usually collected into a single volume for publication.
Thus, an anthology preserves the best of a kind, the "flowers" of the art.
Read MoreGathering Tulips. Oil on Canvas, 4x4.:" 2016
One man is designated as the tulip gatherer (seen on the right.) He goes into the fields where the group of pickers are located. One by one, the tulip pickers lay bunches of bound tulips in his outstretched arms. The tulip gatherer remains in the field until he has all the bundles he can manage to hold.
Read MoreWorking in the Tulip Fields. Oil on Canvas, 4x4." 2016. M. Lamery
Walking along the edge of the field towards the back where the tulip pickers are, I join them.
They are working in a quiet manner, silently picking the spring flowers. In unison, they advance, slowly, rhythmically. Reaching over, gently snipping the bottoms of the tulip stems.
Read More"Working in the field of Red Tulips." Oil on Canvas, 4x4." 2016. M. Lamery
Upon seeing the tulips in the Skagit Valley for the first time, I fell in love with the setting.
Morning light, dew laden earth.
The rows of tulips are long.
The colors are lush.
In the distance, I see groups of people on the perimeters of the fields. I think to myself, they must be on a guided tour or a field trip of some sort. As I continue to walk about the fields, I see similar small groups of people huddled in the rows of tulips.
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