PLANTS OF ANDALUCIA – PHLOMIS PURPUREA
In the previous post about the series of drawings Plants of Andalucia I was talking about my travel from realism to abstraction. Where did I travel this time? I still don’t know exactly where it is on a map. Immersed in the macrocosm of plants, I let myself go observe and listen. You are very welcome to join me.
PHLOMIS PURPUREA
During one of my spring walks on a little hill in Cabra (Córdoba, Andalucia), I noticed a beautifully light purple flower. Coming closer I realized that it was not only a light purple colour (which I am always fond of), but also fuzzy (which I am always excited about)! The flower had a shape that I had never seen before and leaves (also fuzzy!) with an amazing texture. Therefore, obviously, drawings of Phlomis purpurea had to become a part of my series Plants of Andalucia.
This purple lady likes a sunny and dry climate and it is very common in the southern part of the Iberian Peninsula, mainly in Andalucia, southern Portugal and northern Africa. Its name, phlomis, comes from the greek word ‘phlox’ which means ‘flame’, because Greeks used its rolled leaves to produce wicks for kerosene lamps.
In my drawings from the series Plants of Andalucia I show the shape of Phlomis purpurea as well as its details. I like its long stem and the way it looks after losing its blossoms. On the other hand, its hairy texture and the fascinating shape of the blossoms beg to be described. This is why Phlomis purpurea II and Phlomis purpurea were created.
FROM LOCKDOWN TO MACROCOSM
I could spend hours observing nature to realistically describe it in drawings or to let it stimulate my imagination. During the lockdown we have had only a little part of the world to look at and to interact with, because we have been closed in our houses. This small window on the world made me more focused on details that I love so much. As a result, tiny characters of my previous drawings invited my imagination to secretly collaborate and tell their stories. Finally, I forgot if I was drawing a plant or another planet with its alien little creatures. So there it is, Phlomis purpurea III.
I hope that, despite everything, changing the scope of vision due to the pandemic brought something good also to you.
LEARN MORE
If you would like to learn more about the project Plants of Andalucia, you are welcome to read previous posts here and follow my work in process on Facebook. Furthermore, I invite you to visit my Etsy shop where you can buy my artworks.
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