time for tulip thoughts

With official spring so close that I can almost taste it, my mind is drifting towards thoughts of tulips!  It is said that the tulip is an ideal match for those with an artist personality type. I would like to think of myself as being an artist, of some kind, at some level. I like the bright, cheerful, colourful shades of tulips and also what they represent. They are one of the first flowers to bloom in spring.  They stand for new beginnings and for hope. The Netherlands have been sending Canada tulip bulbs annually since 1945.  This gift symbolizes a deep rooted friendship between the countries.  This is a gesture of gratitude to Canada for helping to liberate The Netherlands.     

During my visit to Amsterdam in June of 2024, I purchased a bouquet of wooden tulips. 

One of the many virtual Challenges I completed back when our world changed was The Flower Route. The route began in the centre of Haarlem The Netherlands. The first postcard that popped into my mailbox was this one showing the tulips at the famous Keukenhof Gardens.   

This is the medal I received for completing that challenge. I donated most of the medals I received from the challenges I completed yet I kept this one.  The windmill spins and as it does the back view of the colourful buildings along the canal changes from day to night. I am not sure why I choose to keep this one but I am happy I did especially with my thoughts turning to tulips these days.  

On this page from that book 

(which I turned into a watercolour sketchbook), 

the tulips talk about Easter coming.  

This was the perfect page to paint tulips on.  

After completing the practice session of painting tulips on the above page, I then felt ready to do a watercolour painting of tulips in my other homemade sketchbook. I used a tutorial to follow. I like the look of the soft blended shades and I needed to be shown how to get that look.  

After all these thoughts of tulips, I headed off to purchase a bouquet for myself! 

I am ready to ring in spring with thoughts of hope and for new bright beginnings.   

🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷