Chiaroscuro of the Garden
The Summer Solstice is a day to revel in color and light. Only a few peonies bloom in my dappled shade, but for a week I live in the intoxication of their perfume. Placed with a stray branch of mock orange, the blaze of peony against the darkness of night seems like a Solstice anthem, holding all the mysteries of darkness and light. When I was a child I thought the longest day of summer was July 15th, in the middle of those three calendar months I filled in with yellow crayons. The adult knows better. I could start brooding now about the coming darkness. Or I could take a walk in the garden . . .
Above, a series of studies using photography, watercolor and pencil, of some favorite botanical forms. See a little movie with music of this garden stroll on my Instagram. Happy first day of summer!
All images and text © Iskra Johnson
Rhonda Roth says
Hi Iskra
Beautiful photos and artwork.
I never heard of Venetian plaster, but as you’ve shown,
the effect is interesting and very nice.
Iskra says
Thank you so much Rhonda!