I took my paints and went to the Tidal Basin in Washington D.C. because the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. Including the Washington Monument gives this watercolor a sense of place.
Tidal Basin in Bloom, watercolor, 7″ x 5″
The weather was warm and the walkways around the Tidal Basin were crowded with pedestrians, bicycles, strollers, and photographers. I would have painted more, but my parking time had elapsed and I got stuck in traffic when I went to move to another spot. Being hungry, hot, and tired, I came home and will paint from the photos I took.
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- Walking around the Tidal Basin
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- Washington Monument and Cherry Trees
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- Jefferson Memorial and Cherry Trees
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- Many Photographers!
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- Busy Walkways
Ruth Bailey, artist 
8 Responses to Pretty Pink Cherry Blossoms
That is one beautiful sight of cherry blossom season.
It is a pretty sight, and being there was worth fighting the crowds and traffic. Thanks for your comment.
What a lot of work and frustration to capture these lovely photos and paint this pretty picture. So cheery — no hint of the heat and troubles behind it. 🙂 Hope you like working in pink! 😉
When come back to my pictures after I stop painting and put them away, they look different to me, which is good because usually I am frustrated with them! I was surprised this time when I got home at how pink I had made this. I think sitting amongst all that pink had an influence!
Of course! However, it looks true to the photos. It’s a very pink world over there, right now.
I think I am always frustrated with what I have produced, and little realize how pleasing it is to everyone else. 🙂
Love the colors, Ruth! Painting en plein air has its challenges and joys, doesn’t it? Must have been quite lovely. 🙂
It was wonderful. I saw several other artists there with their easels set up and paint in hand. Part of the joy/frustration of painting en plein air is people stopping to talk and ask questions. I got to a stopping point and spoke with a young budding artist. Then her mother asked me, “What is the secret to painting in watercolor?” (Can I distill years of experience into a single sentence?!?)
I am so excited I found this. I have just written a post on my own cherry blossom tree and have been reading, on the internet, that the variety I have is to be found at the Washington Monument. I have a Prunus Autumnalis and I believe there are 100 of them at the Washington Monument Park; which I have not seen in spring time!