Lily in Wonderland: Nature's Art Show

Bleeding Hearts, Lily Silver 2006

My photography passion explodes in the spring. Since I'm a nature photographer, I fall in love with springtime every year as the wonder of plants and flowers emerges.  As I live in a cold, northern climate, I must endure the long winters. Typical winter here in Wisconsin lasts from November thru March. We get snow in March, and sometimes even in April here in the north woods.

Crocus, Lily Silver 2005

When the world thaws and the grass is becoming green, I'm once more thrust into a wonderland of art--nature's art. Flowers offer a burst of color, but they also come in such unusual shapes and forms, it's as if Mother Nature took time to individually design intricate sculptures from the most delicate material imaginable. 

Copyright Lily Silver, 2005

So, each spring, I go wandering in my backyard--in other people's back yards, and in parks to capture the lovelies with my camera.  I've found the most amazing flowers, some I can't identify, and others that are really just common everyday flowers we overlook in our busy rush of life. 

Lady's Slipper,  Lily Silver 2007

I also like to keep photos of floral plants for painting, as one of my art hobbies is watercolor painting.  What ever your particular medium in art is, I hope this spring you will feel revived and learn to look at these delicate sculptures produced by Mother Nature for a short time in a different light. The art gallery is open every spring, and guess what, 

      It's FREE Admission:  

Just go to the nearest city park or woodland trail, and you'll find a spectacular art show in full bloom. 

Lupines in a field, Drive by, Lily Silver, 2009

If you are lucky enough to live near a public garden or floral preserve, you'll find plenty of inspiration for art work, or just a feast for the eyes on a lazy Sunday afternoon.  

Purple Fringed Irises, Lily Silver 2009

Close up of Fox Glove, Lily Silver, 2010

And once more, here is a lovely example of Mother Nature's delicate artwork, handpicked and placed in a simple glass of water:   Bleeding Hearts in a Glass. 

Bleeding Hearts in a Glass, Lily Silver 2004

Let's go, let's go find Wonderland!  It's all around us, just waiting to be discovered!   Paint, draw, snap that photo, and find serenity and joy in the reawakening of nature this spring. 

Happy Wanderings,    Lily Silver

Celebrating Sunflowers!

My favorite flower is the Sunflower. I tend to photography
them regularly, and try to paint them with watercolors.

Vincent Van Gogh's favorite flower to paint was the sunflower as well, so I feel I am in good company.

Here are a few of my sunflower photos for you to enjoy. Tis the season for capturing them on film, in paint, or in digital format.

After Van Gogh, 

Polaroid transfer from 2006

driving about in the backroads, 2007

Detail of ripe sunflower at Farmer's Market

A field of Sunflowers, near Algoma WI. 

If you are an artist, I'm sure you have a favorite flower that tempts your muse. If not, just enjoy the beauty of the season as Sunflowers are everywhere this time of year in the Midwest USA.

Easter, Ostara or just plain Spring, It's still lovely!

Daffodils, with a little artistic magic in Adobe Photoshop!

 HAPPY SPRING......Happy Easter.......Happy Ostara......

Spring is a time of renewal. A time a fresh starts, new life, cuddly animal babies and new flowers budding. But some years, like this one for example (Spring 2013 if you are reading this post later), Spring seems to be elusive in the midwestern United States. It's been a battle, as temperatures have lingered in the lower digits, even in March, and we still have several inches of snow in Northern Wisconsin, even on March 30th.

Spring is coming. It will come. We aren't trapped in a nuclear winter, although it may seem like it. The snow is receding, and my heart is lifting a little as I anticipate the coming of true spring, not just the calender date telling me it's spring as I shiver under a blanket. I'm talking about the actual warm weather and being able to go outside with my camera to take pictures such as the one below, and then do a little artsy magic on them in photoshop to make them shine as my own creation.

Original Photograph  

Lily Silver's New Photograph of Daffodils 

Happy Spring, Everyone.

May all your Art Adventures be Happy Ones.

Lily Silver, Artist, Author, and Free  Spirit