African Violet Blue

A true blue african violet. My Mom grows these and constantly teases me about my unfruitful attempts. So what do I do? I borrow hers, paint them, and give them back before they dry up. This way, I always have them here, (unless it sells)!

Some history on one of our most popular house plants, the African violet:

In 1892 Baron Walter von Saint Paul found the purple flowered plants in the Usambara Mountains in what is now known as Tanzania.

Seeds from the plants were sent to his father in Germany who took a keen interest in the plants.

Later, seeds were given to Hermann Wendland of the Royal Botanical Gardens in Hanover, Germany.

The plants were classified in the Family Gesneriaceae. Which has a lot of other great house plants!

The plants were given the generic name of "Saintpaulia" in honor of the von Saint Paul family.

In 1893 the first commercially produced plants were offered by Friedrich Benary in Erfurt, Germany.

The American history of the African violet began in 1926 when Armacost and Royston of West Los Angeles, California imported seeds from Germany and England.

Armacost and Royston used the resulting plants to develop ten new hybrid African violets.

The original ten selected for release included Blue Boy, Sailor Boy, Admiral, Amethyst, Commodore, Mermaid Neptune, Norseman, Viking, and #32.

Because of the tendency of saintpaulia hybrids to "sport" or mutate, many new characteristics have been introduced to African violet growers.

Some of the most important mutations include: girl foliage, variegated foliage, pink blossoms, and double blossoms.

I use a 400 year old Flemish technique that involves painting in layers. This produces superior results both in the effects that are found in the work, and it's longevity. It is guaranteed to last a lifetime without fading/cracking if kept out of direct sunlight under normal room conditions.

I've been painting using the multi-layered technique in oils since the mid 70's and have never had a single painting returned for rework due to craftsmanship or materials defects. Actually, I've never had one returned for any other reason either. Once you have a beautiful piece of art in your hands I guess folks like to hang on to it.

Close up views will show the depth and details not usually found in paintings today. I've also included one that is not to exact scale, but gives you a good idea of it's size compared to some furnishings. Onions still life painting as a print can also be used in the study of oil painting. Something I mention in the artist practices section of the site.

I know you will enjoy hanging this in your home as much as I did in creating it!

Art work information:

Title: African Violet, Blue

Size: 9" X 12" oils on panel.

An original, one-of-a-kind by hand created oil painting.

Shipping information

This painting ships from Lynchburg, Virginia. 24502

FREE Shipping for US customers.

Shipping International I charge $47. This pays for materials, padding, mirror box, insurance and tracking.

Guarantee

Buying artwork over the Internet is so fantastic! The only drawback is you can't get up real close to the work. With close up shots of the painting, I hope I've solved that. I can honestly tell you that my artwork always looks better in person than it does on a computer screen! But thanks to good quality scanners and digital cameras, it is possible to capture excellent shots that accurately represent the essence of the work. If you fall in love with the image on your computer screen, I'm certain that you will love the real thing immensely more. But just in case, all artwork is offered satisfaction guaranteed. In the unlikely event that you are not satisfied with the piece, let me know within 14 days of receipt of the artwork. The artwork must then be returned within 7 business days via the same method to which it was sent to you. Please include insurance. I will refund the entire price of the artwork. Shipping costs are the sole responsibility of the buyer. Please save your original shipping materials for the return shipping should you need it. If the painting is returned with any damage, the return claim will be invalidated.

Giclee Print, mat and framing options:

If your can't swing the original, I have prints available of this painting at Imagekind. Just follow this link. Pricing for it starts below $19 for a small print!

African Violet Blue at Imagekind

The link opens a new window so you don't lose your place here.

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