Nelson Lighthouse and Naked Ladies

Nelson Lighthouse and Naked Ladies (Amaryllis Belladonna) is a very special painting to me. The perspective is unusual, especially how you look up at the flowers called “Naked Ladies” (Amaryllis Belladonna). The painting is done in oils with brushwork in the background and palette knife work on the flowers. Oil on canvas, 76cm x 102cm.

In February 2022 the Nelson/Tasman plein air painting group did a trip to the Nelson Lighthouse. The lighthouse is located on the Boulder Bank, a lovely spot for seabirds, but a harsh and rocky environment for any vegetation. The artists had to climb over rocks and river stones to get to the lighthouse. On arrival it was such a surprise to find a bunch of Naked Ladies at the foot of the lighthouse, in this one little sheltered area. The botanical name for the flowers is Amaryllis Belladonna.

For more information on the painting visit https://www.nicolerussellart.com/art-gallery/