Just picked, radiant and fresh from the garden, these hydrangeas hang for a moment on the doorknob. Sometimes, the artist chooses the subject, and other times, the subject chooses the artist. "Hanging Hydrangeas" falls among the latter sort. When I saw them, there was a ringing in my heart, and I knew I had to paint them just as they were.

I love the color blue, all the colors of blue, in fact, and especially periwinkle blue. Too much blue, however, looks too cool in a painting, so I added the pinks and reds for alittle warmth and depth. I also added a darker note of color to the background of the painting, to add character and balance, and to suggest that the door is open.

- Carolyn Blish