The Impressionist
by Connie Handscomb
Title
The Impressionist
Artist
Connie Handscomb
Medium
Photograph - Photography - Fine Art
Description
Born in the purple, born to joy and pleasance
Tho dost not toil nor spin
But makes glad and radiant with thy presence
The meadow and the lin.
~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
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In impressionism, we embrace light - sometimes bursts of it - and its changing qualities; we see angles and movement, visual transparencies and reflections.
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Iris Family = Iridaceae
"Iris", named after the Greek goddess Iris , means 'rainbow' ; wherever she went, a rainbow followed her.
'Flagge' is the Middle English word for reed ; hence the calling of these flowers 'flags'.
These showy blooms offer plenty of landing room for pollinators, with veins acting as guides on the landing strip. The leaves are vertical, grasslike, and assimilate light on both sides.
Iris has a long history as a medicinal herb. A powerful resin in the rhizome ['iris versicolor'] treats numerous ailments, incl heartburn and various stomach ailments, skin diseases, migraines. Iris was used as teething rings for infants, poultices for broken bones, and was even recommended for removing freckles. As a tea, it stimulates the circulatory and lymphatic system. The diuretic drug Iridin derives from the iris.
Native Americans tediously wove fibers from iris leaf edges to make strong rope, string, and netting.
Orris root [derived fr 'Iris florentina'] grown extensively on roofs in Normandy, France, is dried and used in perfumery. 'I. tectorum', grown on roofs in Japan, is used to make face powder. Orris is also used in syrups and gin.
The Greek 'machaironion' iris root , ground with flour, made a pasta called : macaroni!
Sources:
The Flower Healers [Barbara Olive]
The Secrets of Wildflowers [Jack Sanders]
Irises.. A Romantic History [Susan Berry]
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Taken in natural light ; unaltered : Nature in all its natural splendour.
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Uploaded
November 3rd, 2014
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Comments (9)
I'ina Van Lawick
Stunning, Connie. Your colors are always so stunning, gentle. Like your subject. Great POV. lf
Connie Handscomb
Bruce, featured a long while back ... & only now have I realized it! I get lost here sometime! thank you so much! :))
Betsy Zimmerli
Florals can often look much the same, but you have caught an "essence" if iris here, Connie. Creative, with complementary colors. F/l
Connie Handscomb replied:
Thank you very much, Betsy; your kind comment is very thoughtful & much appreciated :)))