Brilliant, Helle! I do SO admire the LOOSENESS!! I wish I could do that.

Great! Helle, very, very good!

Now listen, Helle ... you really MUST stop apologising for your beautiful work! I don't know WHAT you have in mind that this doesn't measure up to your inner vision, but from out here it's marvellous. Both versions are just gorgeous, and I knew them for rhododendrons right off the bat. The rhododendron is our state flower, and everyone here has them in their yards, so I know a rhody when I see one ... we've got three just on our property alone! Your original is softly beautiful, very watercolor-pale, and just right. This version is bright and exuberant and lively, and seems to dance on the page. So depending upon which mood one is in would say which image is better. They're both amazing. I agree with Andrea ... you have a wonderful loose style when you work this way, and I'm green with envy every time I see something like this from you. MY inner vision when I paint is of the photograph I'm painting, and if my painting doesn't turn out photo-realistic (which I see no point in anyway, and don't really want my picture to look like in the end) I think it isn't good enough. :P So there. We are both very silly people. Now the next time you post something you feel you have to apologise for, you may NOT say it. If you absolutely have to, you can say, "Tara says I must not apologise for this," and that's all.

Beautiful painting and postwork! :)

I agree fully with auntietk - your art work is always so well done - no apologises needed - Lovely colours and I knew what they were before reading the title so as I am a non-green thumb viewer the fact I recognised the flower is a big step - so it is great!!!

This is such a beautiful creation, I really think it turned out great Helle. I really enjoyed the blending of soft colors throughout the image

I like them both Helle.

I like them both...slightly preferring the one above but then I take 95% of my photos in "Vivid" mode.

Wonderful painting, such gorgeous colors. You are so talented.

Outstanding art work Helle. God Bless.

a quick sketch should be like this. i going to post some of mine which is also a quick sketch. that all it is. your style is wonderful loose. do not try to be like what you see in these art magazines. They have they own style. but artists is the hardest on themselves. i know as i am the hardest on my self also. lol I like this a lot

Excellent shot, fantastic colors and details

MARAVILHOSA OBA BELA PINTURA AS FLORES SÃO MAGNÍFICAS CORES FANTÁSTICAS.+++++++5

A fabulous image with beautiful colours.

Beautiful Helle!

Very very beautiful work Helle!!!!! Splendid soft colors and composition of this painting .The work of a real professional! Bravissimo!!!!!

Nice pastel.

I agree with Andrea and Tara. I just love the splendid mood coming out of this! Go on, dear. I like it when I read you are in the mood for painting. what do one want more!? :)

Wonderful pianting , Helle ! Very beautiful colors !

I know, you didn't expect to see me here! But sometimes I have to actually write in your gallery rather than in my many personal communications! The blend is so organic, one can hardly see the photo you blended into it. Your movement in each flower, from lighter hues to deep saturated purples (top to bottom) makes each flower seem like an "emergence". The mix of many different purples, from very light (almost white) to very deep makes it seem like the flowers exist over a bed of pure light. This is part of what makes this seem so fresh and spontaneous. ("Loose" is another word for it.) And big beautiful rich browns and greens below, and folded greens & yellows, etc, make up your background. It's just splendid. Beautiful, natural, spontaneous and very 'new', it's wonderful. And your flickr version is a more sedate piece of poetry, inward and simpler and beautiful as well. This, however, turns the quietness of the other version into a burst, as if we're seeing this flower the first time it makes an appearance in the cosmos. Beautiful work, and I see that your viewers have already felt the same thing. Love it!!!