She was a gypsy girl of sorts. Traveling in her wooden wagon, colorful and beautiful, adorned with strands of flowers she would stop to sell.
She made sure to be in Provence for the blooming of the lavender fields in mid to late June. And then, she spent the extra warm weeks of July in Tuscany, amongst fields of sunflowers.
She would set up her gypsy wagon on sleepy little village roads, selling her handmade garments and desserts she would concoct, from edible berries she would collect in the woods.
It was a wonderfully peaceful life.
A delightful journey.
When the cold months rolled in, she would park her wagon outside a little cottage in Switzerland. A cottage that her great-grandmother had left her many years ago.
Her cottage was tucked in the woods, amongst trees. It was a beautiful place to enjoy snowfall and deer friendlings. A good place indeed. A place to make lace, and embroider winter months away, whilst keeping warm.
The cozy cottage also allowed her to winter her hibiscus plants indoors. They would bloom indoors, growing heartily, and offering her flowers to wear, flowers to make tea out of, and dried flower leaves to make red dye out of. She loved to use the dye for wool and natural fabric.
She grew a variety of red flowers indoors, during the winter months…
As soon as the snow cleared, she would ready her wagon for spring and summer voyages…
Voyages to see butterflies and flowers, and marvel at the earth…
That was her path.
A path she loved following.
As summer approached, she looked forward to Italy, and the little old man who tended the sunflowers that she always settled near.
At first sight of her, he would call out, in his thick Italian accent…
"Floralinaaaaaa, Floralina has arrive…."
And, she would smile…
With her lips, but mostly, with her heart.
Flora, the gypsy girl (of sorts).
Original Painting
24" x 30" x 1.5"
Available in my on-line shop, right here…
See you very soon 😉
Vanessa:
*sigh* I want to BE Flora the Gypsy Girl.
Kim
Gerushia’s New World
Kim said exactly what I was going to say!!! Can we all be Flora?
Kim said exactly what I was going to say!!! Can we all be Flora?
Oops~~sorry~~I posted that twice :~)
This is beautiful Vanessa! I too want to be just like Flora!
this is gorgeous, Vanessa, just gorgeous! i think you painted the inner Florina in us ALL!
Florinaaaaaaaa!!! so beautiful!!!
What fun adventures she has… I too would love to sit by a fire and embroider…. or in a field of sunflowers with an old Italian buddy…
Was looking at all the goodies you fixed for Thanksgiving my friend … wow .. including the leftovers… sounds like you had a wonderful day and I would love for you to send me some of that pumpkin pie you made… PLEASE!!! oh yeah … dont forget the cheescake too LOL
As for sweet Matty he is so precious … I feel the same way about my girl PJ … and your dreams… Baby … she is letting you know she ok and is in a good place and not to worry … how sweet is that?
HUGS DEAR ONE!!!
JO
Oh, she is soooo beautiful.
Can I be Flora too?
Awwww…this was a sweet, sweet story. I love a story with a painting. – Kathy
Flora is truly soooo beautiful, Vanessa, just like her creator! How fun that you told her story so that she comes alive to us. Just wondering–which came first, the story or the painting?
Miss Vanessa!!!
I think you out did yourself!
She is absolutely gorgeous!
Her eyes are incredible!
How very beautiful she is.
Fairy tale princess come true!
hugs,
Miss Teresa
Oh my, what a lovely story you tell. Beautiful painting, wonderful work.
She’s just beautiful!
V~
Gorgeous and stunning 🙂
She is lovely…your gypsy following her heart & the butterflies!
Hugs,
Susie
this is so beautiful, as a whole, and particularly in the details – surely your finest to date! iconic, just gorgeous:)
Oh, she is simply stunning!! I do adore her patterned frock!! 🙂
Wonderful work sis. I have artist envy.
Wow.
Did Mr. Lovee fall in love? Did you catch him sneaking a peek? Lookit her lovely eyes…she’s got gypsy fire & ice in them..like smoldering, but with ice, does that make sense?
That sweet lace blouse.
She’s lovely. A serene girl-woman who knows what she wants.
I love her.
And it’s like a picture within a picture, because the butterflies and flowers on the side, when you do that one close up shot, that could almost be another gorgeous painting all on its own!
Brava.
xoxoxoxoxoviiixoxoxoxox
I love everything about Flora–her eyes, the lace on her blouse, the flowers and of course, her story. I would love to have that life! Are you considering making a print available of her?
She is lovely–just like you!
Nancy
I am smiling with my heart at your beautiful creation – she is lovely dear Vanessa….I am crafting up a storm over here, inspired by you my lovely! I am building my own little Christmas village, and having such fun! Can’t wait to show you the pics x
I love her, especially those eyes. She is such a wandering smiling spirit. We should all have a little of the gypsy in us.
ok, some other people stole my comment to…;) lol., I was going to say “I want to be Flora!” 🙂 She even does her braid on the side like I do…and dyes fabrics, makes garments…and dries red flower….same as me…hmmm…maybe we are distant cousins?
Lovely lovely painting. 🙂
Dear Vanessa! Flora is just so gorgeous. I love all the details – from her pretty lacy blouse to the sweet flowers in her hair. And what a romantic expression she has! And – most of all – I adore her story. So fabulous!!! 🙂 xoxo Theresa
Oh V she is beautiful! I so wish I could take some painting lessons from you. You make my heart smile!
Until Then,
Wende
Give Matty a big hug for me. He is growing sooo much!
Well, she’s perfectly lovely, but IMO, she’s crazy! Much better to spend balmy summers in the Alps, then winters in parts south — like Sicily, where I plan to spend my winters in retirement! Wintertime in the Alps for such a simple girl sounds brutal.
Aaaaaaw, Flora is beautiful. I wish I could have such a wonderful hair.
vanessa, the lace on her collar is so exquisite, only outpaced by your storytelling.
this will be a book, right? won’t it? shouldn’t it? 🙂
whoever chooses flora to live with her or him, will be able to dance among the fresh and fallen flowers too.
you are one talented girl, vanessa. TSUP! &
kj
Ann, it is so funny, Mister Lovee andI talked about that. That
Flora should go to warmer climates in the winter. But Flora decided she
loved the snow, and time in her cottage sewing and baking in winter. Tee
hee 😉
Hi Vanessa! I so enjoyed meeting Flora! She is so beautiful and a girl after my own heart. Have a lovely day! Twyla
Flora is a lovely Gypsy woman and I enjoyed her tale as well. I’m sure someone has told you this, you should do illustrated books for kids and adults. It would be fab.
GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!Beautiful! Soulful!!!
XOXOXO
Oh my Vanessa, you’ve done it again 😉 Flora is beautiful and what a lovely tale too.
Jamie 🙂
Hi there, Vanessa. The painting is just so adorable. The story is simply epic. I fell in love instantly with Flora the Gypsy Girl. You’re one of a kind.
I am no expert in painting and any means of art. But one thing is so sure for me about this work of art, the flowers do look so real and alive with the style and color used.
I’ve been so obsess with your Gypsy Girl, Vanessa. The story is classic, so do the painting. Please introduce Flora to us one day. I would love to meet her. 🙂
What a beautiful painting! Simple yet the face of the subject tells so many stories. A mixture of flowers spells out feminity. Nice one!
What an amazing work of art!It’s a mind-blowing painting! Congrats for being inspiration to others who have the same passion.God bless.