The romantic language of the flower: The Iris. Time often covers what once was tradition and common knowledge. Ancient wisdoms, now lie forgotten. But, what hidden meanings could the lovely Iris reveal………?

The Iris – A Beautiful Flower
Sharing and Friendship
- In ancient Greece, apparently the goddess Iris was the link between earth and heaven. She served to guide those on their journey from earth to heaven.
- The ultimate act of Friendship, sharing and consideration! I have always thought of the Iris, as a friendship flower.
- And I’ve thought it was a warm act of giving and sharing, to gift someone irises.

Symbolic
The Iris’s 3 upright petals symbolise
Faith, Valor and Wisdom.
France is well known for its royal shields and coats of armor featuring the fleur -de- lis….aka the Iris.
Digital Painting Journey
My Journey with the iris began with running to the store to grab some flowers for my Funky Flowers art class.
Finding irises on special, I was happy to make the purchase. After class, I wanted to double my value from them by taking reference photos in various lights. Plus, I needed some tripod practice.
Photo #1 is the original shot, untouched by the processing filters, special effects, etc.
The other subsequent images below are the same photo.
But, have been ‘painted on’ ‘drawn on’ with Filters and Special Effects used – with merry abandon!
The Editing Programs I used were:
Iphoto, Preview, Filters for Photos and Affinity Photos. I ran the images back and forth between the lot.
In the spirit of The Iris – I really do think it is wonderful to “Pay It Forward” to be generous, and to share these kinds of information.
Because, How will you know, ……. unless someone tells you?!
Monochromatic Theme
I decided to keep these images predominantly or nearly monochromatic.
Thinking it would help with design issues to not get to bogged down with lots of lovely Color, on top of everything else.
This can happen. To me.

Experimental Digital Process
Many of you excel at the digital painting and processing aspects. I really admire that skill. And the many hours it took to practice to learn the techniques.
With the experimenting, comes eventual skill improvement. As with any thing.
I look at mine, I look at yours. …..and wish.
Faith, Valor, Wisdom
Why am I telling you all this?
To let you know that even after years of practicing art, even when I know better…. I still do the same things everyone else is tempted to do too.
However, I have a benefit. I have an advantage. After all these years, I know the drill. I’ve been down this road, and know I will get better. In time.
- I have Faith that I will get better.
- I am encouraged (Valor) that this is so.
- I won’t be so foolish as to say I am Wise and have Wisdom, but I will say I try to walk the wiser pathways so I will bet better.

Other posts of interest:
I hope you enjoyed this digital foray into The Iris: Faith, Valor and Wisdom!
Beautiful image, and three good words to live by. Thanks for a great post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank You! yes, I agree they are. cheers, Debi
LikeLike
Awesome! I love these.
LikeLiked by 1 person
thank you Nico 🙂 I learned a bit about the Iris, so this was fun!
LikeLiked by 1 person
They are one of my favorite flowers! Peace.
LikeLiked by 1 person
cheers!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What an article full of life and enthusiasm and delightful art! I’m very glad to accompany you on your “wiser pathways”! Thank you, Debi!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you…. very much! Very pleased that you enjoyed the article today. Thats Great!
I definitely can’t call myself wise by any stretch, LOL. But I do like company on these pathways – so thank you for doing so 🙂 cheers, Debi
LikeLike
wonderful post again, dear Debi, always still learning and enjoying, cheers Mitza
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Mitza, well, Good Morning! and Thank you! the colors – its ‘different’ with the greys, and purples; a change of direction from the oil paints in blue and orange. keeps me on my toes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, love these images Debi! That last one really seals the deal for me. And I love that your so graciously share information. That is indeed a wonderful thing. Love your words and images today.
LikeLiked by 1 person
((((LL)))) a warm thanks my friend!! I thought you might like the deeper more saturated color best 🙂 Its funny how a certain flower has specific thoughts attached. Like Iris = friendship. I hadn’t really thought of that before. I’ve never been one to withhold ‘secret’ recipes…. if the food was good, share it around. YUM! LOL now I am laughing. ttyl 3d
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey have you read that book about the language of flowers? It’s by Vanessa Diffenbaugh. Not sure the exact title. It was a great book!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
no I haven’t! may go google it though. what is the summary?
Hey, how about maybe a post on it – by Laura!!?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great idea! I shall put it on my list, my friend! Here is a link to my review of the book on Goodreads too! https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/204829731
LikeLiked by 1 person
its good to know you too, ‘have A LIST!’ thanks Laura 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Even if it’s just in my head lol! You’re welcome. I hope you love the book!
LikeLike
My favorite flowers…
LikeLike
thank you James! cheers, Debi
LikeLike
Wow… that photo is amazing! I just want to keep looking at it! And love your translations in sketches, they’re wonderful. Combine with your positive and extremely wise words all amounts to an awesome post my friend!! 😍
LikeLiked by 1 person
i hope/try, to walk the wiser pathways. LOL not saying thats what comes out of my mouth!!! hahaha I bet the family may tell you so! anyway….. thank you my friend Charlie!! that is very kind of you! a question, is there a procedure to follow when July Watercolor Month rolls around and I want to do some – posts with wc?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just tag them with #WorldWatercolorMonth whenever you post something using watercolor. But the real fun I think will be the World Watercolor Month Facebook group. You can join that and post there as well in July!
LikeLike
GORGEOUS Photos!!! Always love your “teachings!” 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
thank you Jodi!! They were such fun to do and play with the filters and such. I’m glad you liked these photos and sketches. Cheers! Debi
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow…..love the images and will be back to read but I wanted to tell you straight out…WOW! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
that is great Margaret, Thank You!! 🙂 cheers, Debi
LikeLiked by 1 person
Keep the faith…you’re already there 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks Andrew! I could learn a lot from your computer digital editing knowledge, I do know that! Your last post with the gorgeous ink work was really good. One that I will return to, many times. I loved it. BTW, you still up on cloud 9 with your good news? 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Back on earth today 🙂 It was a great ride. Thanks for all your encouragement always. Digital editing is always a surprise and I learnt so much from just trial and error. My favourite program which I use all the time is Photoshop Elements. Always happy to help any time. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
earth today, sky perhaps again…. tomorrow… 🙂
practice and experimentation. yes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The digital art is fantastic. They look as though they were sketched. Nice choice of filters Debi.
LikeLiked by 2 people
good morning Sharon! I really appreciate that, you are one of those with The Skills!! 🙂 I still, can’t figure out darn layers. lol but, I WILL. Thank you (Sharon)
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, the layers can be tricky. You have to think from the bottom up.
LikeLike
Que fuerza tienes estos colores!!!! (iris photo #1)
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks !!
LikeLike