"Purple Petal Passion" by Laura Bird Miller, 20 X 16 watercolor

I perhaps owe having become a painter to flowers. 
~ Claude Monet

Monet's quote fits my sentiments exactly!  Rich color. Beautiful fragrance. Delicate petals.  What's not to like?  Iris's are particulary intrituing.  Did you know that the iris flower can be translated into the Greek word for "rainbow?"  There was a Greek goddess by the name of Iris who was known as the keeper of the rainbow.  When I first heard that it could be translated for the Greek word rainbow, however, I immediately thought of God's promise to Noah through the rainbow.  If you compute this information into an equation, one might presume that the beautiful iris flower could be called a symbol of love and promise. 

These beautiful ornamental flowers have also found their way into a variety of art and architecture. They were carved into stones in Egypt after Pharoah Tutmosis III took the flowers from Asia after his conquest there.  He supposedly transplanted them to his royal garden and had them carved into stone at his temple at Anon, monumentally, along with other flowers he enjoyed. The iris was also the national symbol of  France throughout history.  A purple iris might be considered a symbol of wisdom and royalty due to its rich color. 

In 1987 Vincent van Gogh’s "Irises" were one of the most sought after and expensive paintings ever sold. 

Georgia O'Keefe also several beautiful iris paintings I very much like. As a teen/young adult I had the light iris print hanging in my bedroom and a matching bedspread that was handpainted like the light iris, I liked it so much.  Now I am painting them myself.  Little did I know then that I would be doing what I do today, painting and sharing my passsion with other young adults, students, and you, my reader friend.

I am so happy you stopped by.  Be blessed!

Laura

Prayer:  Thank you, Lord for creating the beautiful iris.  As we ponder it's delicate petals, rich color, and intoxicating fragrance, may we be reminded of what an incredible artist You are and how much You must love us to  surround us with such beauty.  May Your creation bring joy to all who view it.  In Your name we pray, amen.