STORY BEHIND THE ART OF SUSAN BENJAMIN

24th Annual International

American Society of Botanical Artists and Marin Art and Garden Center

Crinum Lily

Crinum asiaticum

I have long admired this popular plant that graces Southern landscapes with its enormous showy white and purple blossoms that bloom on and off all year. This plant grows from a bulb and can reach a height of 6 ft or more. The very long, narrow, upright foliage is a rich green with burgundy undertones. The blossom or inflorescence consists of many flowers in a cluster which grow on a long, dark purple stem without leaves.

Painting white or pale flowers is a challenge for me, so my composition had to have darker areas of buds behind the lighter flowers to make them more visible. The flowers only last a day or two before they start to droop and fade, so I think the delicate fading blooms are an important part of an image of the crinum lily.

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Read more about this artist's work: Wildly Exquisite