This lovely tree caught my eye months ago (before it even had these glorious red blooms) sitting at the corner of Laguna Drive and State Street, right across from the studio space I share in Carlsbad. It overlooks the Buena Vista Lagoon and the light on it (in the morning shown here) or in the afternoon is stunning. My attempt to capture it was a wonderful experience for me, then my search for it's name was a real challenge. (you wouldn't believe how many "flowering trees, specifically "RED flowering trees" there are!) Well, finally I decided that this must be the "Kaffir boom" also called a "Coral Tree" or "Flame Tree". I found that it originated in South Africa, but also grows along coastal areas. We're sure enjoying it here in Carlsbad!
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| "Overlooking the Buena Vista Lagoon" |
Your painting is gorgeous, and I am so glad to read what the name of this tree is! There are several here at the coast in Oxnard, CA, and so unusual and so beautiful! But I never knew their name! Thanks so much for sharing that!
ReplyDeleteThank you Shelley! and you're welcome! :)
ReplyDeleteYour art work is beautiful, Rita. I hope to catch one of the art shows, soon. A little background on the word kaffir- it is a derogatory word for a black person in Africa. Just an FYI. I do love those trees- they are gorgeous. We have them along the bluff in Long Beach. I think they are the same... and I love driving by them everyday. alicia
ReplyDeleteoh dear! Thank you for the information Alicia!
ReplyDeleteYes, I do believe they are the same in Long Beach-I was just noticing them along Ocean Boulevard when I drove by a few weeks ago! I think I'll call them "coral trees" instead from now on!
I hope to see you soon!
Dear Rita
ReplyDeleteLove your painting. I am an Afrikaans songwriter and mother of five. I think the name for the 'Kaffirboom' comes from its original Latin root, which is 'Caffra'. Since I was a teen, the name of the tree in SA was promoted as a Coral Tree, but the name, Kaffirboom, has more poetic value in Afrikaans. So, not derogatory at all in my mind. It is such a lovely indigenous tree to my country, isn't it?
Thank you Sheugnet for your thoughts! It surely is a beautiful tree, and a pleasure to paint!
ReplyDeletePleased to share that "Overlooking the Buena Vista Lagoon" has been added to the collection of a dear friend and collector of mine. Congratulations and thank you Rosanne! I'm looking forward to seeing this oil painting in it's new home!
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