A Powder Puff, A Woman

Along the roadside near the fish market, I spied this flower blooming prolifically. After two nights of freezing temperatures I was amazed it had survived. Gary stopped the car so I could capture a photo. He called it a red puff ball, and indeed, it's common name is powder puff ball, or Calliandra haematocephala. At first I thought it was a bottle brush tree, it is related but different, having a more round flower.

In addition to the fluffy red flowers, being a broad leaf evergreen doubly endears this plant in the landscape. The name powder puff instantly brought forth images of ladies of yesteryear powdering themselves with soft cotton puffs dipped in a fragrant powder after a bath.

Julian Mandel

Julian Mandel, 1872-1925, was one of the best known commercial photographer's of female nudes of the twentieth century. 

Georges-Pierre Seurat

Georges-Pierre Seurat, 1859-1801 was a French post impressionist painter and draftsman. He is noted for his innovative use of drawing media and for devising the technique of painting known as pointillism.

Georges Barbier

Georges Barbier, 1882-1932, was a French painter, designer, and illustrator and popularized the style of art deco of the roaring twenties. Barbier's posters are still popular today.

Did  you ever have a powder puff. Do you know someone who did? A grandmother or an aunt perhaps. As a young child I remember my mother had a powder puff in a small cardboard container. I vaguely recall opening it, smelling the powder, dreaming of becoming a grown woman some day. This post is part of Mud Colony what's happening in the studio. Thanks for reading and for all  your comments..