In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
This poem is called In Flanders Fields, and was written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae in May 1915. It is one that many people in the English speaking world know well, and is publicly recited each year on November 11, to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice on the field of battle. The Remembrance or Memorial Poppy, was inspired by the poem, and has been used since 1921 to commemorate soldiers who have died in war. The poppies they were first used by the American Legion to commemorate American soldiers who died in that war (1914–1918). They were then adopted by military veterans' groups in parts of the former British Empire: The UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Today, they are mainly used in the UK and Canada to commemorate their servicemen and women who have been killed in all conflicts since 1914. If you are interested in knowing more about how the the poppy became the symbol that it is today - and it's quite interesting - go here.
Thus today seemed like a good day to paint some poppies. Both are in watercolour on archival paper; the first is a more traditional watercolour rendering, and the second is more loose and painterly.
Poppies
8" x 7" - watercolour on archival paper - $25
Remembrance Poppy
6.5" x 7" - watercolour on archival paper - $25
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