Iris Flower & Skin
The English have a way of being so grateful when the spring bulbs start to pop out. We are in the midst of Snowdrop Season and Daffodils are breaking free of the brown earth here in Cambridge. I have decided to work on an Iris flower painting seeing that they will be the next beauties to surprise us as Spring time comes forth. I was investigating them and it turns out that the extract from the Orris root, or, Iris rhizome, are good for the skin and as such, are in a lot of cosmetics for skin care! So, it seems like it is meant to be as I have been diving into my own skincare these days and learning about how to deliver good skin treatments to people too in my Spa scene here in Cambridge.
The oil is obtained through steam distillation of the rhizomes and roots of the plant, which produces a pale yellow or greenish oil with a sweet and floral aroma. Iris extract possesses a high concentration of isoflavones and rhizomes. This provides a potent antioxidant effect and helps to protect the skin by neutralizing free radicals in the environment. The scent is slightly powdery, soft, lightly woody and spicey yet sweet. It is a precious and versatile ingredient in perfumery and blends harmoniously with other scents, though carefully chosen.
The Iris flower has many meanings. In floriography, the Iris flower symbolizes faith, courage, valor, hope and wisdom. I also have heard the legend that there was a goddess named Iris and wherever her foot fell on the earth, an Iris spang up. I can really see how this idea came about for I was at Anglesea Abbey last week and these flowers were literally popping up and out of the earth with no stem yet, just flower on earth and open too! Very amazing! (Yellow Iris in pic.)
I will have to have a lot of faith in myself as I move forward into this painting, a lot of English botanical arts portray this flower incredibly well so I won't look at them too much and just plow ahead with my own style and go for it!
