Fireweed In Bloom

Here in Alaska, the bloom of the Fireweed is the first indicator that fall is just around the corner and the end of our too short summer is just around the corner. However, it’s also the perfect time to make plans to hike the nearby mountains and trails.

When Fireweed are in bloom, its pink flowers can be seen all throughout the area. You can find them growing everywhere, often covering hillsides and fields with a colorful layer of beautiful flowers. They’re also sprinkled throughout our communities, showing up in gardens, ditches and other random places.

I knew when I finished the “Lupine Blossoms” painting that it needed a Fireweed companion. By the time I got around to starting it, the Fireweed were already in bloom, with a large number of references readily available in the area.

This painting also gave me an excuse to try out my new “Opera Pink” gouache, a very vibrant pink paint by the Daniel Smith company. It’s an absolutely stunning paint which has to be seen to be believed.