My Love of Lilacs
Sticking my face into a hedge of lilacs is a fond childhood memory. Inhaling deeply, I recall this heady, sweet fragrance confirming that Spring is here. My lilac memories as an adult are a bit of a blur since life took me to multiple geographic locations, some with lilacs and some without.
These flowering, woody plants range in color from magenta to purple to white. The colors symbolize every thing from purity and innocence to love and passion.
I have a longing for lilacs every single year, because they do not grow in our hardiness zone in Phoenix. Buying them locally is a disappointment due to lack of smell. What is a lilac with fragrance?
One year when I was back east visiting my parents in Connecticut, I literally brought a huge bouquet on the plane which took up most of the overhead bin. I was the only one happy about that!
Another time, during a business trip to Lake Tahoe, the hotel’s flower shop had an abundance of beautiful, fragrant lilacs. I purchased all of them and requested they be sent to my room. I don’t remember much about that 4 day conference, but I do recall how wonderful my room smelled!
Since I am unable to enjoy lilacs in person, I am inspired to paint them. Recently, my friend, Barbara from Mantel & Table created a gorgeous arrangement with lilacs and wisteria (another thing we cannot grow here). To see her lovely post, click here.
I have never painted these flowers before, but I know that it is difficult to capture the color and detail. This weekend, I took a few hours and found an online class by Kelli Folsom on how to paint lilacs. She luckily can pick them from her yard and this is a photo of her still life inspiration.
What I love about art and painting is that everyone has their own interpretation. Here is Kelli’s finished version.
And here is mine~~again not completely finished yet as I need to noodle it a bit more.
Now that I see these paintings side by side, I have an idea on what I can do to improve mine.
Kelli Folsom recently posted more lilac paintings. Unfortunately they are not subjects of an online class, but the paintings are up for sale on her website. Wish I had some extra cash laying around!
Practice makes perfect so I will be painting many more lilacs! Do you have a flower(s) that you love? That evoke wonderful memories? If so, please share.
Wishing you a Tuesday where you smell lots of flowers!
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I too love lilacs. We can grow them here; but sadly I always depended on a dear friend a few miles away to be my supplier of them. She has passed and so has the property…not sure the new owners would understand if I showed up with clippers and a bucket. I have a similar story to yours. Many years ago, long before TSA, I brought back a gigantic bunch of freshly picked lilacs on a flight from Seattle to Orange County, taking up the entire overhead bin assigned to my row. Luckily no one complained; but when I pulled them out of the bin to deplane, I had more people walk by & say “thanks for the best smelling flight I have ever been on!”
Tanya, I love your airplane story! Before TSA, I recall traveling being much more pleasant. Glad to know I am not the only one who has transported armfuls of flowers!
Hi Mary,
Your talents astound me. I think you are very close to finishing your lilac painting and it’s beautiful. I’m in Wisconsin right now and the vase on my dining table here is overflowing with lilacs. So is my backyard. I just wish I could figure out how to keep cut lilacs fresh for more than a day or two. Any hints?
Shaun
How lovely that you have lilacs right now! I googled how to keep lilacs fresh and there are many suggestions. Cutting them in the early morning and having a bucket of water right there for the branches. The artist, Kelli Folsom, indicated they are hard to paint because they wilt so quickly. Plus she has a light on them too, which accelerates that process. One year that I did have them, I would put them outside at night in the cool air and they did last longer. Enjoy Wisconsin. It’s actually been cool here (64 degrees yesterday morning!) but we know that won’t last long.
Thanks! I love lilacs and copper. I tried to place an order but must have missed a blank. I have
a yellow lilac and long to see it heavily loaded but it flowers sparingly. I live in Oregon and used to visit the lilac farm in Washington, across the river. I was told that they need a cold spell to flourish and we often get a good one but not always. I have many lilacs and remember always loving them . Mary
Mary,
I have never seen a yellow lilac! Please send a picture! I wonder if fertilizing it will produce more flowers. Yes, they do need several cold hours to bloom. Which we don’t have here in the Valley of the Sun.
OH Mary – how sweet of you to include my lilac mantel! Thank you! I love every painting of yours I’ve ever seen – and these lilacs are gorgeous! You have a real talent my friend!
Barbara, Well, when my lilac painting confidence is up, I am going to attempt to paint one of your lilac photos!
I am lucky enough to have a lilac grove that was on this land before I built my house. This is my favorite and when you pull into the driveway and get out of the car you are over powered with this heavenly scent! I bring bunches into the house. One vase besides my bed, one in the dining room and int he living room. You may love this perfume as much as I do. The scent is so true to real lilacs.
https://www.pacificabeauty.com/collections/perfume/products/french-lilac-spray-perfume
Karen,
Not only am I envious but I’m coming to visit! And I just ordered the perfume! Cannot wait to get it. Thanks for sharing the link.