The lavender fields of Provence are an icon of the natural beauty of France and a subject to which many artists are drawn. But these gently flowered fields are not lavender but Mojave Aster and they grow not in France but in the high plains of New Mexico. Travelling with another painter through the countryside outside of Taos, I came across these lovely blossoms, framed by the plum and blueberry colored mountains behind them. Delighted by this surprise, we stopped and spent the afternoon creating bouquets in oil.

Oil on canvas panel     8″ x 8″