Bluebonnets

 

(this image is available for sale on ebay / copyright dianne curtis / all rights reserved)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/251578931998?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

Bluebonnet Forest

I had the best time shooting pictures of bluebonnets this spring. the Bluebonnect is the state flower of Texas and it is customary for the state highway department to celebrate the coming of Spring by planting bluebonnets. Photographing the bluebonnets is a cliche thing to do but I've never done it and when one of my favorite groups "The Houston Photowalkers" scheduled a day trip I jumped on it. This photo is the inspiration behind the watercolor I painted and posted above:

One of my most favorite painting styles is to obliterate the ground and have my objects 'floating' in space. It gives the paintings a mystical, surreal mood.

All over the hill country you can see bluebonnet fields during the spring months. They only last for a couple of months so this is a seasonal outing. Everywhere we went there were people placing their children and loved ones in the patches of bluebonnets and taking pictures. Some towns really take advantage of this touristy thing to do and schedule all kinds of events around the bluebonnets.

The papers warn people to check for snakes in the bluebonnet fields because this is a favorite hiding place for them. There have been several accounts of people getting bitten by snakes while having their picture taken in the fields.
According to the local farmers, it's not good to plant bluebonnets in their farming fields because they deplete the soil so most of the bluebonnets are in front of the farms and entrances to parks. Even though this state flower doesn't have a functional purpose, it is a great symbol for spring in Texas and all that blue is gorgeous!