My lilacs are in full bloom. Heavenly. That about describes a lilac . . . and fleeting, that’s another way to describe them. They are positively humming with bees this year, plus we’ve seen two Hummingbird Clearwings hanging around them (a most fascinating moth).
Every year I cut a few lilacs and bring them in, put them in vases and try to photograph them. Let me tell you I have taken dozens (maybe a hundred) shots but have never like a single one of them. Until now. It’s not just Kim Klassen’s textures (which are magical) but I love the composition of this one – a single stem, an old jar, a rock and some florets that ‘fell’ off . . .
I love the text (Kim taught us a little secret from her ‘Beyond Layers’ class on how to achieve that look) but ‘country living’ is just what popped into my head so I went with it.
There is one other thing. One pretty important thing here in this image. Something I am over the top excited about. The backdrop.
I finally painted an old hoosier that I’ve had for at least 15 years (maybe 20 years the way time is flying). Hubby’s parents gave it to us – it was brown with a bright orange interior. As you can see it is now a lovely shade of off-white.
Oh my! I had a fun time painting it – no delicate job this one! Slap it on and don’t worry – what’s a few paint drips? Let it dry for about a week and lightly sand the edges. Love love love it!!
Today I couldn’t post the before and afters . . . I didn’t want to spoil the magic of my lilacs. I’ll show you the transformation later . . .
just go ahead and wave your lilacs around blogland, will you?! i can practically smell their potent aroma from here! (can you tell they don’t grow in texas? and i miss them JUST A BIT from my youth in Wis!) :)
Before I read your words I thought to myself ‘I love the composition in this photo with the rock and the dropped petals ……’. Lovely work. Can I ask – what’s a Hoosier?
that is simply dreamy delicious. lilacs being my favorite flower, I love this photo. I’m amazed that yours are just now flowering – ours finished weeks ago. happy Monday to you Barb.
Love the country feel to this.
Laurie @ Pride in Photos
Love the soft feel of this! Truly a lovely lilac shot, I can almost smell their sweet fragrance through my screen.
I love it Barb ~ I first thought it was a painting! The backdrop makes a big difference ~ something I am lacking here. Can’t wait to see your before and after shots. I too love when the lilacs are all in bloom.
Barb, that’s so soft and lovely, and the backdrop is perfect!
Wonderful lilac lilacs! And that Hoosier makes a fabulous background for this dreamy image, Barb! (I’ve lost my way in Beyond Layers, unfortunately.)
Great pictures! I have Lilac bushes growing around the entire perimeter of my back yard. The bloom is amazing on them, if only they bloomed longer!