Nell Blaine's "Calendulas & Blue," painted in 1987, is a radiant example of her celebrated still life practice, capturing an exuberant bouquet with characteristic vitality. The canvas pulsates with a dazzling array of colors, where brilliant yellow calendulas take center stage, surrounded by lively strokes of red, hot pink, and delicate white blossoms. These vibrant floral forms are anchored by verdant green foliage, creating a dynamic visual tapestry that bursts forth against a luminous, cerulean blue ground. Blaine's confident brushwork imbues each petal and leaf with a palpable sense of movement and light, reflecting her keen observation and spontaneous approach to capturing the essence of her subjects. The composition, while seemingly effortless, demonstrates a sophisticated balance between form and color, inviting the viewer into a joyous celebration of nature's beauty. This oil on canvas masterfully showcases Blaine's distinctive post-war American modernism, particularly her commitment to color as a primary expressive force. The titular blue, far from a mere backdrop, becomes an active participant in the painting's energy, its varied tones and textures creating depth and atmosphere around the central floral arrangement. Blaine's unique ability to transform everyday subjects into compositions of profound emotional resonance is evident here, as the painting transcends a simple botanical study to become a vivid declaration of life and light. Her technique, characterized by fluid application and a rich impasto, gives the work a tactile quality that speaks to the artist's direct engagement with her medium. "Calendulas & Blue" exemplifies the period when Blaine, having overcome personal adversity, embraced a renewed vigor in her artistic output, solidifying her reputation as a formidable colorist.