I have some very special memories of magnolias in November. Living in the southern hemisphere Magnolias came into bloom in November. My parents were married on 28 November 1964, 2 years before I was born. Every year the day before their wedding anniversary my father who was a horticulturist used to make a trip to the Ardern Botanical Gardens in Claremont, Cape Town where he would cut beautiful rich creamy coloured magnolia blooms from the tree. One of the perks of his job being a horticulturist working for the Cape Town City Council. My brother and I always went along as a treat and played in the botanical gardens while my Dad cut the flowers. I will never forget their colour, rich smooth creamy texture and their beautiful smell that used to fill our car on the way home. Every November our house was filled with the exotic smell of these glorious blooms when my Mom arranged them in the vase.

Memories of my youth I will treasure always. It was no surprise when I found myself painting a magnolia this November……

Acrylic on canvas

14 X 24 cm

Below are some close-ups of the above painting