Night of the Ice Pansies

Night pansies
acrylic on canvas
8 x 8 inches
Barbara Muir © 2009

A few years ago clever horticulturists came up with a variety of
Pansy that can withstand frost. The flowers are called Ice pansies,
and they can live with snow on their bright green leaves.
Eventually our Ontario winter will defeat them, but
they hang in long after the rest of the garden has been
seeded into memory.

Last week I bought a flat of these beauties, because the
fall Mums, (a flower I only use as outdoor decoration in
extremis, because I don't like them very much) had died.
Tonight is so cold, that I remembered where my scarf was
and was hunting around for my winter hat! But out on the
front porch when we came back from walking the dog,
I noticed that the flat of pansies, waiting for planting had
quite a few vigorous little blooms.

Wow! I brought them in and painted this little ode
to bravery and beauty that just won't quit.

It's my mother's birthday on November 6 -- and she's
a bit like the pansies. A vigorously beautiful woman
in all types of weather. Happy Birthday Mommy.

Have a staying-good-looking-in-all-weather day.