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Technique: En plein air... Line & Wash - fountain pen ink line art with washes of watercolor. One of the few paintings I've used tape to mask the edges. Many artists do that so they have a clean, sharp edge, but I still like the softness of a vignette style edge.

Every year at Luthy Botanical Garden in Peoria IL, the Amaryllis bloom due to the loving care of their caretaker. He knows all their names and although most Amaryllis flowers are grow from bulbs, he has actually started many from seed. He has a great understanding of nature and admires her handiwork. As a plein air (on location) painter, I love going there to find wonderful art subjects AND to hear the stories and tales of each plant.

Amaryllis bulbs contain everything they need to grow and bloom. You may have seen them suspended in a glass with water in the bottom, I have 2 that have survived for 2 years that way. Originally they came incased in wax to help hold in the moisture. After the first year I broke away the wax and have them suspended in containers with water. I'm sure they'd do better if I planted them in dirt now, but hey, it was an experiment.

Here's more photos from Luthy Botanical Garden inside the atrium.