Capturing Spring

I generally share Leslie Jones’s take on flowers: any fleeting delight is eclipsed by their slow, grim decay. But Alstroemeria lasts almost long enough to make it worth it.

And give time to experiment. This Peruvian lily goes great with glazing liquid, used to prolong the drying time of acrylic paint. Like watery Elmer’s glue, the glaze soaks into the tissue so you can squeegee the petal flat.

Its forgiving nature may even give you time to construct a mantis.