22 Comments
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Andy Capone's avatar

I believe that the more we allow nature to "hold us," the more compassionate we become to ourselves and, perhaps, to the world in which we live. This was beautiful Candace, thank you!

Candace Rose Rardon's avatar

Andy, I can't thank you enough for your beautiful comment -- it's filled with such wisdom, and I'm grateful to you for taking the time to share it. Thank you always for reading and being here 🙏

Sylvia Anderson's avatar

So lovely! Times are very dispiriting here in the U.S. right now. Your stories and paintings are so uplifting to my heart.

Candace Rose Rardon's avatar

Sylvia, please know I completely understand. I find myself opening the news less and less these days, it's so disheartening to read -- so it really means a lot to hear that what I share here can send a little light your way right now 🤍🙏

Susan Hanson's avatar

Beautiful. Thank you for sharing so many flowers with us in your amazing paintings. You are blessed with special talents.

M. Louisa Locke's avatar

Brought tears to my eyes! So needed this after reading one more distressing recap of yesterday's news. After a couple of months being stuck inside by injury, being able to get out side and walk every day, discovering new blossoms (or old ones fading from the sun) has done wonders for raising my spirits.

Jill Shepherd's avatar

This might sound a little loony, but I feel like, in order to capture a flower’s true essence, I have to sneak up on it with my camera. If I linger too long and take a second shot, flowers, like children, pull themselves up and put a big grin on their face. I feel like your paintings capture that essential character, their natural loveliness, before they’ve noticed you’re looking. And your dandelion is delightful😉

Susan J Tweit's avatar

Jill, that makes perfect sense to me. Thanks for voicing what I never thought to put into words!

Notes from the Dragon's Nest's avatar

Yes...the flowers do hold us. I'm still settling into my new home environment, both within the walls and outside. I'm glad I moved as Spring was blosdoming. The wildflowers and the green on the trees....leaves glowing at golden hour....have made my landing softer.

Kaaren Haldeman's avatar

Beautiful. Just what I needed.

Susan J Tweit's avatar

Your girls are growing up learning the beauty and magic of the world of the other species we share our spaces with, and that is such a precious gift for them. Thank you, Candace, for being who you are, and for having the courage and strength to share your inner self with your family and all of us!

And to add to your iris knowledge, those long, spear-like leaves are folded lengthwise, including where they arise from the stem, which makes them extra strong. In Botany, irises are described as having "equitant" leaves, because the leaf base looks like it is "astride" the stem as if riding a horse. :)

Blessings from my terraphilia and earthbound part of this globe....

Gabriel B.'s avatar

The title 'Wild Iris' has a lovely, delicate tension to it that promises something beautiful.

Jessica Maybury's avatar

this is so beautiful Candace! As always :) I love finding surprise plants in my garden; last year I had some foxgloves appear out of nowhere. This year...maybe mustard plants, I can't remember if I planted them actually. Anyway, thank you for such genuinely heartfelt uplifting posts - a bright spot in the day for me.

Cate Whittle's avatar

I think you are right. Sometimes the flowers (and the trees and the wind and the birds) hold us... winter has just arrived where I live, but I've noticed that many of the plants in my garden have tiny, nascent buds. The violets are still throwing flowers here and there, too, and my winter-flowering grevillea is just getting started. Your wild irises sound majestic and colourful. Just what is needed to brighten a flagging day.

Jacqueline's avatar

Beautiful! 😊

Jean-Marc CAUQUIL's avatar

This looks like a wonderful piece. The artwork is beautiful, and 'sometimes, the flowers hold you' is such a comforting thought.

​Let's connect: http://jeanmarccauquil.substack.com

Sue Cauhape's avatar

Nature's little happy pills.

Aussie Jo's avatar

I liked this, it is so lovely

SajaWriter's avatar

Lovely the way you pull us in from buttercup to iris. My husband loves to plant seeds and bulbs everywhere— especially belladonnas. Your yellow iris is a gift.