September Surprise

G and I had walked past this verdant scene many times in the gardens and, while charming, I had never thought of painting it. But on this particular day in September the sudden explosion of magenta flowers in the foreground was so arresting that it literally stopped us in our tracks. I also loved the little pagoda peeking out from beneath its cloak of bamboo and the way the yellow flowers on either side paid such compliment to the riot of purple between them. And it was an added thrill to discover that the name of these exquisite flowers was September Surprise. What a joy to paint!