Painting #15- Paphiopedilum

"Dark Beauty" Original Watercolor Mindy Lighthipe ©2012

I was hoping to get this posted some time ago because I was out of the studio on vacation last week. I finished the painting, got it scanned and then started to write the blog post. Unfortunately I ran out of time and didn't get it posted until I got home. Here is my 15th painting of my 52/52 painting challenge. I am back on track!
 

I really enjoyed painting this paphiopedilum. This type of orchid is also called a Lady Slipper Orchid and often the latin name is just shortened to Paph. Paphs mostly grow on the ground which makes them terrestrial orchids. Some do grow in trees making them epiphytes but this is not the norm. They love to be pot bound and will not flower unless the roots are in confined containers. It seemed weird to have this big robust plant with lots of leaves and this one tall flower in a tiny little pot that kept toppling over. The flower was propped with a stake made of bamboo and the stem was clipped to the bamboo so the flower would stay up. I kept moving it around and it kept falling over so I put it into a vase so that it would stand up. I was surprised at how much abuse it took. The flower lasted for about a month. This was great because I had a lot of time and didn't have to worry about it wilting on me. I am now currently out of orchids that are blooming but tomorrow night is my next meeting with the Gainesville Orchid Society and another guest speaker is coming in with plants for sale. I wonder what I'll come home with next!

If you have any questions about how I paint please feel free to ask me. I am always happy to give advice and explanations. Your questions make great blog posts!