Parrot Tulips

Description

Parrot Tulips by Cindy Bale Tanner is a bold and contemporary floral artwork that transforms the familiar beauty of tulips into an expressive composition of color, texture, and movement.

The artwork was created using an unconventional watercolor technique developed by the artist after experimenting with watercolor over gesso. Tanner first applied white gesso to the surface, swirling it into circular patterns with a large brush and allowing it to dry for more than a month. She then layered Dr. P.H. Martin’s Hydrus Fine Art Watercolors onto the textured surface, using water, a soft goat-hair brush, and even a disposable spoon as part of the process.

The resulting composition combines vivid greens, deep burgundy, fiery orange, and bright yellow against a luminous white ground. Broad, energetic brushstrokes form the tulip blossoms and foliage, while the underlying circular texture of the gesso remains visible throughout the piece, adding depth and movement.

Rather than pursuing a traditional botanical representation, Parrot Tulips emphasizes the expressive qualities of watercolor, allowing color, gesture, texture, and negative space to define the flowers. The result is a lively contemporary floral work with a distinctive handmade character.