Tulip Festival

In 2002, the Tulip Festival had 5 foot tall fibreglass paintable tulip forms created as a blank canvas for Ottawa area artists. During this time, I have been painting Tulips for the Canadian Tulip Festival.

Tulip #1 - Ron's Tulip
Tulip #2 - Diane's Tulip
Tulip #3 - Inspirational tulip
Tulip #4 - President Barack Obama "Yes We Can" tulip

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2002 - Tulip #1 "Ron's Tulip"

The purchase of Ron's Tulip was organized by community leader Wendo Blondeau who formed a group called the "Friend's of Ron", together they bought this tulip in honour of former city councillor and friend Ron Kolbus who had passed away.

This tulip depicts the Britannia Beach area at the turn of the century and the current view of Andrew Haydon Park. This 5ft tulip called "Ron's Tulip" was a gift from the "Friend's of Ron" and is on permanent display in the Ron Kolbus Centre, Lakeside Gardens located at Britannia Beach in the building that was renamed in his honour. "

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2003 - Tulip #2 "Diane's Tulip"

Painted as a tribute and in memory of Diane Stuemer, much loved Ottawa Citizen writer and author of "The Voyage of Northern magic". My inspiration came from Diane's "going after her dream" determination of a world wide sailing adventure spanning 4 years with her young family.

As a result of several fundraising events, the sale of this tulip raised money for the Northern Magic Fund for International Development. www.northernmagic.ca

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2005 - Tulip #3 "Colours of Spring"

Vibrant tulips ( flowers with attitude) pop off a black background with my signature swirl design. Inspirational script of "Follow Your Dream ~ Passion ~ Faith ~ Believe" is my message for viewers. This tulip was featured on Regional Contact CTV hosted by Kathie Donovan.

Click HERE to see Regional Contact feature.

Colours of Spring was one of 3 tulips stolen from Ottawa City Hall from a display of 150 tulips. Although seriously vandalized, it was recovered due to major media coverage. Good samaritan, Eric Martin repaired the damage and along with a new coat of paint it received royal treatment and a place of honour upon it's return.

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2009 - Tulip #4 " President Barack Obama - Yes We Can"

I was honoured to be asked by Wendo Blondeau, Canadian Tulip Festival Sponsorship and Special Events Co-ordinator and Julian Armour the Festival Director to create a Presidential tulip in honour of his first state visit to Canada.

This tulip focuses on the inspirational and spiritual messages from the Inaugural Speech. "God Given Promise - All are equal, all are free, all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness." "The world has changed and we must change with it" and "Hope, Freedom, Unity, Liberty, Peace".. On the base is a quote from Abraham Lincoln, "That this Nation under God, shall have a new birth of freedom".

Portions of Martin Luther King's "I have a Dream" speech is in script on the leaves. "Now is the Time. We cannot walk alone. All men are created equal, judged by the content of their character."

The "Yes We Can" tulip experience was one concentrated week of painting versus the the 4-6 weeks spent creating each of the other tulips. The "Yes We Can" tulip is a gift from the Canadian Tulip Festival to the American people and will be on display during the Canadian Tulip Festival, May 1-18 2009.

The tulip is on display in the lobby of the Lord Elgin Hotel in Ottawa.

Visit the http://www.tulipfestival.ca for more information on this annual Ottawa festival.

Read the press release about the Tulip honouring President Barack Obama.

The story and photo of this tulip travelled far and wide around the world due to the internet.

Click HERE to learn more about the extensive media coverage.

Photos of the tulip honouring President Obama:

Photos of the tulip during the creative process: