The Artist's Blog

5/9/2021 8:44:34 AM

Bee, Breeze and Poppies

Bee, Breeze and Poppies

For the Love of Bees and Poppies

Caroline's love of poppies and fascination with bees come together in this entertaining video filmed in her Tuscan garden as spring bursts forth. In her studio, Molino del Corvo, Caroline applies the final glaze to her painting, "Bee, Breeze and Poppies". Featuring original music by composer John Lilley, this video runs 3:30.

Produced by Dirty Poet Films

Original Music by John Lilley:

"FM Test" John Lloyd Music @ BMI, Inc.

JohnLilley.com

"Bee, Breeze and Poppies" 33" x 54"

Available exclusively at Lahaina Galleries.

“If the bee disappeared off the face of the Earth, man would only have four years left to live.”

Attributed to Albert Einstein.

What about the Bees?

Although bee populations around the world are under threat, in Caroline's Tuscan garden the bees are prolific, drawn by her extensive plantings which flower from early spring through autumn. There are Honey Bees arriving from the hives of the neighbouring farm, wisteria-loving Bumblebees, Funny Bees, Carpenter Bees, Plumber Bees, and Mason Bees - solitary bees who for hundreds of years have lived in the walls of the Molino. (The Mason Bees come back to the Molino every year using their internal Google Maps with favourites pinned to the specific holes they have lived in previously.) We won't talk about the wasps. Better to let them bee.

"The bee collects honey from flowers in such a way as to do the least damage or destruction to them, and he leaves them whole, undamaged and fresh, just as he found them." Saint Francis de Sales

Caroline and Poppies

"I never tire of the endless variations of poppies. The way they reflect light and move in the wind are elements I strive to capture." CZ

Caroline has been painting poppies since her arrival in Europe 20 years ago, with visits every summer to the poppy fields of Provence and Tuscany. Her poppy paintings have been a mainstay of her exhibitions at Graham Fine Art in London. Here you can view a video of Caroline creating her painting "Scarlet Poppies" during one of her residencies at Graham Fine Art.

And from Caroline's blog post about endless fields of red poppies Provence Poppy Bliss

It's quite the indulgence to spend time in the poppy fields and linger.

Taking time to observe the flowers close up, with their interesting black stamen formations, and delicate transparent petals that glow red like little stained glass windows. The swaths of poppies are elusive... never easy to find. From one year to the next they pop up in different fields. More than often, they find you. But Caroline has a sixth sense when searching Provence for the ideal setting for one her lavender, sunflower or poppy field paintings.