Happy May Day!

Title: Lily-of-the-Valley (du Muguet)
4x4 watercolor and micron pen
on 140-lb Arches cp

In some parts of the U.S., we celebrate May Day (May 1st) with small floral baskets surreptitiously left at doorways. The giver places the bouquet on the doorstep, rings the door bell, and runs away.

In France, May 1 is la fête du muguet (the festival of the Lily of the Valley), a celebration of friendship, good luck and the arrival of spring.

The sketch above is loosely based on the lilies-of-the-valley which bloom outside our front door every year at this time.

Below is a video clip of Le Temps du muguet as sung by legendary French actress and singer Danielle Darrieux – who was born, coincidentally, on May 1 (hat tip to Alliance Française de Portland).



Happy May Day!