Forsythia

Our forsythia bushes have frankly always been a disappointment, very much in the “must try harder” category. But this spring has been different – in so many ways, and they delivered. Perhaps not as full-on, straight-A, solid blossom as some neighboring examples, but impressive nonetheless.

They are not always easy to incorporate into a cohesive picture. Their absurdly high chroma competes with everything, and, depending on my mood, I can find their cheery, irrepressibly bright and perky presence a bit slappable. But this year I am inclined to be simply grateful.

The featured image for this post is actually painted over two earlier pictures. I first used the canvas board in 2010 in Maine. I never made peace with that beach scene, and so on March 15th this year, turned 90 degrees, it became the shadows of a lakeside tree as seen from the deck. That was also unsatisfactory, or just too lugubrious, and so I pulled it out to document the forsythia. Third time’s a charm – it will stay that way!

Beach, Penobscot Bay, 2010

March 15th, 2020, (Abandoned)

There it is – that assertive, optimistic glow against the gloom. Yes, got to love it this year!