Chaenomeles japonica

I first saw it in the fall of 2022—a thorny bush with apple-like fruits. A curious wonder. I waited until spring. With the first rays of sunshine, I rushed to the park, afraid to miss its bloom, because my heart told me—I would be amazed. And it was right. I’m still amazed. Rain or shine, I kept coming back to watch it, taking countless photos, simply admiring it. Its bloom is something truly special, unlike anything else. It’s not the delicate sakura, nor the reserved cherry, nor the shy peach. The quince is all of it at once—both the maidenly tenderness of first blossoms and the passionate allure of a woman. I love it. I have painted it in monochrome and color, yet I want to paint it again and again. This subject will never bore me—its colors take my breath away. And once again, I wait for it to bloom.