Cactus Dahlia

6.5 x 7 inches, watercolor, 2009.

I have a couple of these cactus dahlia plants - I love the spiky blooms, and the plants usually flower abundently. I chose to concentrate on a single flower for this painting to emphasise the petal shapes and colours.

Foxgloves

8 x 10 inches, watercolor, 2009.

Foxgloves from the garden this summer. Foxgloves (digitalis pupurea) are very poisonous, from the roots and leaves to the flowers and seeds but the toxin is also used for medicinal purposes, especially treating heart conditions.