Marybeth Heikes

Paintings in Watercolor & Mixed Media

Posts Tagged “Flower”

Coneheads & Swallowtail

Coneheads & Swallowtail

April 28, 2014

Now that it’s spring, you will notice my paintings are full of fresh flowers. I love the pale violets and lavenders of the coneflowers, and the orange and rust-colored centers. They attract numerous butterflies, bees and other interesting insects. My general plan of attack is to take numerous photographs, and if I have time, I […] more »

Pink Bromeliad

Pink Bromeliad

March 24, 2014

I am continually searching for interesting flowers to paint. This is a big, beautiful bloom at the Botanical Center in Des Moines. These finger-like petals sprout from the center of the plant on a large stalk. Tropical plants always have bold colors, and their leaves have fun details to paint. I painted the flower shape much […] more »

Exotic Orchid

Exotic Orchid

March 17, 2014

I am getting into spring and painting more florals! The variety of subtle whites inspired me to paint this orchid. I used my snapshot from the Botanical Garden. I love the pale, minty greens and the fuchsia and lavender centers. My goal was to capture the gracefulness and delicacy of this plant. more »

Tangerine Zinnias & Monarch

Tangerine Zinnias & Monarch

March 4, 2014

Spring fever always hits when winter weather does not want to stop, and it makes me dream of bright, fresh flowers. I used a photo for this piece and worked much of it wet-in-wet. The tangerine colors are very saturated and lively and the butterfly is the focal point. I painted two layers for the […] more »

Indigo Bowl

Indigo Bowl

October 14, 2013

This is my last bouquet from our garden this year with our bright sunflowers and gladioli. It was painted wet-in-wet and completed in two days, which is quick for me. My main concern was to capture the freshness and bold colors of the flowers. The indigo bowl was a gift from my parents and the […] more »

Flower Explosion

Flower Explosion

October 7, 2013

Now that the weather is cooler and changed into fall, I have been thinking about my summer flowers — the wonderful luscious yellow and mahogany sunflowers among the delicate fuchsia cosmos. These were picked and arranged in my artistic vase, filling it thick with blossoms. I am particularly fond of the red-violet color. It really […] more »

July Sunflower Bouquet

July Sunflower Bouquet

July 1, 2013

I positively love sunflowers! A friend calls me the sunflower queen. Sunflowers are gorgeous large flowers and make wonderful bouquets. I do not know how many paintings I have done of them — lots! There are so many different varieties. This year we have planted at least four different types. In this composition, I decided to play […] more »

Stargazer Lily

Stargazer Lily

April 16, 2013

Every time spring rolls around, I am eager to paint my garden flowers, and this year is no exception. However, the weather is unseasonably cool, so I am relying on some of my old photos until some of my perennials bloom. This particular lily had been in my garden a while ago. New flowers are added every […] more »

Grace

Grace

March 13, 2013

These glorious blooms were painted from my garden. I worked from my reference photo and sad to say I no longer have tulips in my garden, as the deer have destroyed them.  Tulips are one of my favorite flowers and a sure sign that spring has arrived.  These graceful blooms were wonderful to paint.  The […] more »

Pastel Beauty

Pastel Beauty

March 6, 2013

Flowers are one of my favorite subjects to paint!  I am anxious for spring to come so I can paint more flowers from our garden.  I used a photo from my reference files, a great big luscious peony.  I am also a big fan of Chinese brush painting and have learned that in China, the Peony […] more »