The Queen Palm (Syagrus romanzoffiana) seed casing is a single 24-30 inch leaf that protrudes up from the main stem until it splits open to reveal the small flowers that will eventually produce the fruit. While the fruit is developing the casing is starting to dry out, this you can observe by the color change. The leaf starts out as a silvery green color but as the moisture retracks the color changes to a pale silvery sand shade and the casing twists like a propeller.
After cutting away the dead palm fronds the actual seed pod casing is left. During the drying process the pods inside color turns from a buttery yellow to a burnt umber.
I carefully cut the pod from the tree at the base and prepare it for painting.
Each pod is hand sanded and wire brushed to remove the outer organic film - then hand painted in bright tropical colors in acrylic paint and spray coated with a clear crystal satin enamel finish. I artistically arranged each pod to compliment their natural twists and turns and set them in a cement filled form. After curing, the base is painted and clear coated, and a scratch-proof pad is adhered to the bottom.
The result – a 3-dimensional free-standing “Paradise Painted Palm Pod” sculpture. Viewed from various angles, the sculptures take on a new look that delights the viewer.
For more information or to purchase a Paradise Painted Palm Pod call: 941-623-2514 or visit:
MELANGE - A Fine Art Co-op Gallery, 252 W. Tampa Ave, Venice, FL 33285.
