Strawflower-Photo and Painting

Now that it is cold and rainy, I have started painting again for the first time in 5 yrs. I am trying the water mixable oils for the first time and I'm having a hard time learning how to use the paint. I am progressing very slow and I know the center of the flower will take even more time. Oh well, I'm in no hurry.

I see where these flowers got their name. The new blooms feel like dried flowers. I was so pleased with how this photo turned out. It is going to be my next oil painting.

Sunflowers "Maximillian"

This is a beautiful sunflower (Maximillian). The blooms are small and look like daisies, but as you can see, there are lots of them. The only problem is the height. Mine is at least 8-9' tall and I don't know how to stake them, so they are leaning on other flowers.

Canna Lilies and Crepe Myrtle

I am excited that the canna lilies and the crepe myrtle are blooming again. The crepe myrtle had lost all of its color and now is almost as pretty as it was when it first bloomed. I deadheaded the canna lilies and they have more blooms than the first blooming.

Worm on marigold

Could this be what is eating holes in the leaves of my flowers. I don't like the worm but it made an interesting photo. By the way, I didn't think critters liked marigolds!

Cosmos

These cosmos have grown so tall I have to look up to take photos. They were so pretty against the clear blue sky.

Morning Glory

What a surprise to see these morning glories blooming on the arbor. I wonder who planted these?

Flowers blooming Sept. 15, 2009

I didn't realize I still had so many flowers blooming until I walked through the yard and wrote down each thing. I hope they last a while longer. I'm not ready to see the garden turn brown :( and not looking forward to cutting everything back.

1. Ageratum
2. Allium, purple
3. Angel's trumpet
4. Asters (annual and perennial)
5. Butterfly bush (buddleia)
6. Canna lilies
7. Cardinal Climber
8. Celosia (cockscomb
9. Chrysanthemums
10. Clematis "Sweet Autumn"
11. Cosmos
12. Diamond Frost Euphorbia
13. Fall Crocus
14. Four o'clocks
15. Geraniums
16. Germander
17. Johnny jump-ups
18. Marigolds
19. Moonflower
20. Morning Glory
21. Oxalis
22. Petunias
23. Pink salvia
24. Portulaca
25. Purple Fountain Grass
26. Purple salvia
27. Roses
28. Salidago
29. Salvia "Lady in Red" (Scarlet Sage)
30. Salvia "Maraschino" (Texas sage, bush sage)
31. Salvia "Victoria Blue"
32. Sedum "Autumn Joy"
33. Sunflower "Maximillian"
34. Verbena "Homestead"
35. Vinca (annual)
36. Yarrow (achillea millefolium)
37. Zinnias