Flowers

When I paint out in the world, I need to first pick a subject.  If I don't see something on the horizon to make a picture, I draw my gaze closer - from the forest to a tree, from a cityscape to a doorway.  I am nearsighted anyhow.  In this  instance, I visually plucked some flowers from an abundant garden.

A handful of people tell me with some frequency that I should paint flowers more often.  Generally, though, I don't feel like it.  I am forever grateful that Cezanne,Van Gogh, O'Keeffe, and Merian painted flowers.    But I can't get past the feeling that my own paintings aren't nearly as nice as living (or cut) flowers.  They do at least last longer.