Tulip Sentinels - tree and tulip festival

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      Landscape oil painting of a tree in a field of tulips by contemporary impressionist artist Talya Johnson.

      Behind the Canvas

      I have never encountered such intense, saturated, eye-popping color as when I visited the Skagit Tulip Festival in Washington this spring! I set up my easel in the blooming tulip fields of Roozen Gaarde or tulips.com, a family owned business founded by Dutch emigrants in the 1950s, located near Mt. Vernon. The clear sky and direct sun made the red, yellow, and violet bulbs even more intense in their color.

      In contrast to the lively, yet short lived blooms, a stand of trees seemed to keep guard. I chose these two, a poplar and a perfect Christmas fir to depict the protective nature of William and Helen Roozen who began the small 5-achre bulb company.

      This original plein air painting is sure to liven up any space. Let is remind all who view it, of our own sentinels who have watched over our individual short lived bloom.