Bottlebrush in the Afternoon

I painted this Violet Bottlebrush from my sister in law's garden on a hot afternoon in spring. After a failed plein air session earlier that morning on location, being battered by wind and scorched by sun, this little still life virtually painted itself from the comfort of my air conditioned living room. Bottlebrush (Callistemon) are a popular Australian native flower that attracts bees and birds that feed off the nectar but don't last long as a cut flower so you have to paint them while they are fresh.