Right now on the French Riviera the citrus trees are blooming. The perfume of orange and lemon blossoms fills the air. Never in my life have I lived in a place where the air is perfumed like it is here. So I decided to paint a giant lemon tree.

All of these are available here on Singulart

While I was working on this I received a call for entries from Singulart to create something based on Feng Shui.

I discovered that citrus trees are auspicious plants to have in your home especially your wealth corner. I read that they were carried in pots and were given to the emperor. During the travels the fruits ripened.

Apparently a lime tree on each side of the front door is especially brings good fortune.

The entries had to be drawings, not paintings. I haven’t made big for years. From my garage I dug up archival 600 pound cold-pressed Arches watercolour paper and set to work

Moonlight Lemon Tree was the first one I did. Then I drew a pair of lime trees in pots, working non stop for seven hours. All three of these works on paper are refreshing and elegant. The gilding reflects differently as the light changes in the room. Gilding brings a canvas to life

All three were hard to photograph because outside it was windy and there is a pesky cat that likes to spray anything. Moonlight Lemon tree was particularly hard to photograph. It’s a delicate drawing, sophisticated and calm, while the two lime trees are joyful. For some reason they remind me of Florida.