Sonoma County spring blossom trail is underway at #Sonomahort

This week at #Sonomahort, the annual Sonoma County spring blossom trail is underway. The 8 acre nursery and garden is transforming into colorful varieties of fragrant daphne’s, white yellow & purple magnolia canopies, showcasing red, white, pink and yellow rhododendrons, azaleas, plus a full spectrum of camellia bushes and seedlings. If you’re in the area, I recommend dropping by for a visit, close up magnolia blossom viewing opportunities this weekend, don’t wait too long! Sonoma Horticultural Nursery — 3970 Azalea Lane, Sebastopol, CA http://www.facebook.com/sonomahort

2016 SoCo Blossom trail

2016 SoCo Blossom trail

Eileen azaleas

Eileen azaleas

Rh Grande rhododendron

Rh Grande rhododendron

Peacock camellia

Peacock camellia

Purple tulip magnolia

Purple tulip magnolia

White tulip magnolia

White tulip magnolia

Scavenger hunt ~ Patrick Amiot & Brigitte Laurent’s amazing creations of recycled artwork

Sharing some local creative fun in Sebastopol. Finding and photographing these sculptures is like a scavenger hunt. I’ve added a new Pinterest board featuring 100+ Patrick Amiot & Brigitte Laurent’s amazing creations of recycled artwork. Patrick Amiot Junk Arts Sculptures, throughout Sebastopol, CA and Sonoma County.

http://www.patrickamiot.com

https://www.pinterest.com/mace707/patrick-amiot-brigitte-laurents-amazing-collection/

Patrick Amiot & Brigitte Laurent's amazing creations of recycled artwork #1

Patrick Amiot & Brigitte Laurent’s amazing creations of recycled artwork #1

Patrick Amiot & Brigitte Laurent's amazing creations of recycled artwork #2

Patrick Amiot & Brigitte Laurent’s amazing creations of recycled artwork #2

Van Gogh’s series of 4 Sunflower paintings, 1888

3,6,14 & 15 Van Gogh’s Sunflowers (series of 4 paintings)

3,6,14 & 15 Van Gogh’s Sunflowers (series of 4 paintings)

Inspired by the colorful sunflowers this summer in Sonoma County, I came across this article that peaked my interest combining both my passion for art and nature. A book published last year, The Sunflowers are Mine: The Story of Van Gogh’s Masterpiece by author and journalist Martin Bailey, one of Britain’s foremost arts investigators, sheds new information about Van Gogh’s series of 4 Sunflower paintings created in August 1888 in southern France.

Bailey’s book Reveals fresh details about van Gogh’s four sunflower paintings and new information about two of these sunflower paintings, now lost to public view. One has disappeared into a private collection in 1993, previously owned by Greek shipping tycoon George Embiricos and the other lost in Ashiya, Japan during World War II at Hiroshima. The remaining two are currently on display in European galleries and were under threat during WWII, liberated by the Monuments Men and saved from destruction.

Mystery of Van Gogh’s Sunflowers Unearthed (series of 4 paintings)
* Three Sunflowers – Vincent Van Gogh, Aug 1888. Private Collection.
* Six Sunflowers – Vincent Van Gogh, Aug 1888. destroyed by fire during WWII Ashiya, Japan.
* Fourteen Sunflowers – Vincent Van Gogh, Aug 1888. Neue Pinakothek, Munich Germany.
* Fifteen Sunflowers – Vincent Van Gogh, Aug 1888. National Gallery, London UK.

See more:

Three Sunflowers – Vincent Van Gogh, Aug 1888.

Three Sunflowers – Vincent Van Gogh, Aug 1888. Private Collection.

Six Sunflowers – Vincent Van Gogh, Aug 1888.

Six Sunflowers – Vincent Van Gogh, Aug 1888.

Fourteen Sunflowers – Vincent Van Gogh, Aug 1888

Fourteen Sunflowers – Vincent Van Gogh, Aug 1888.

Fifteen Sunflowers – Vincent Van Gogh, Aug 1888.

Fifteen Sunflowers – Vincent Van Gogh, Aug 1888.

August Summer Garden Moments

Captured a few garden moments this weekend. Featuring Buddleia butterfly bush extraordinaire & Western Tiger Swallowtail butterfly, Golden Sunflower, Hollyhock, Crocosmia ‘Rowallane Orange’, Hydrangea and Anemone blossoms.

August Garden moments

August Garden moments

Sonoma County Blossom Trail compilation – Spring 2014

Sonoma County Blossom Trail compilation – Spring 2014. Colorful and fragrant flower updates from Sonoma Horticultural Nursery, Sebastopol CA, Sonoma County. #SonomaHort flower details available on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/sonomahort and Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/sonomahort

Sonoma County Blossom Trail - Sonoma Horticultural Nursery, May 2014

Sonoma County Blossom Trail – Sonoma Horticultural Nursery, May 2014


Sonoma County Blossom Trail - Sonoma Horticultural Nursery, April 2014

Sonoma County Blossom Trail – Sonoma Horticultural Nursery, April 2014


Sonoma County Blossom Trail - Sonoma Horticultural Nursery, April 2014

Sonoma County Blossom Trail – Sonoma Horticultural Nursery, April 2014


Sonoma County Blossom Trail - Sonoma Horticultural Nursery, April 2014

Sonoma County Blossom Trail – Sonoma Horticultural Nursery, April 2014


Sonoma County Blossom Trail - Sonoma Horticultural Nursery, March 2014

Sonoma County Blossom Trail – Sonoma Horticultural Nursery, March 2014


Sonoma County Blossom Trail - Sonoma Horticultural Nursery, March 2014

Sonoma County Blossom Trail – Sonoma Horticultural Nursery, March 2014