![Still life pastel painting of flowers and leaves of the Rose Apple tree.](https://www.christineatkins.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Rose-Apple-Flowers-1-362x520.jpg)
Rose Apple Flowers 1 (pastel)
Rose Apple tree
Many years ago I camped in the Daintree in far north Queensland. My tent was under a tree that had a crop of sweet cream-coloured fruit, each about the size of a tom bowler marble. I noticed a large number of seedlings growing under the tree and so I saved a few almond-sized seeds to bring home. In no time at all I had a Rose Apple tree growing in my backyard. There are several varieties of this tree – some originate overseas and some are native to Australia but also grow in Asia.
![Photograph of new leaves from my Rose Apple tree.](https://www.christineatkins.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Rose-Apple-leaves-520x469.jpg)
A photograph of new Rose Apple leaves
Leaves and fruit buds
The new leaves are a rich red colour, the cream flowers are beautiful and the growing fruit buds are also striking. Photos of the leaves and the fruit buds from my own tree are attached. (Sorry, no photos of the flowers, I forgot to take them.) In all, it makes for a beautiful still life painting subject. The only negative is that the possums eat the new leaves and the fruit, so my tree has to be permanently kept under mesh netting. I have attached some of my paintings of the Rose Apple, some as pastel paintings and some as oil paintings.
![Painting of leaves, flowers and fruit buds.](https://www.christineatkins.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Rose-Apple-Flowers-2-343x520.jpg)
Rose Apple Flowers 2 (pastel)
![This pastel painting is of flowers and fruit from the Rose Apple.](https://www.christineatkins.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Rose-Apple-Flowers-3-340x520.jpg)
Rose Apple Flowers 3 (pastel)
![Rose Apple leaves with several native flowers.](https://www.christineatkins.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Rose-Apple-and-Grevillea-257x520.jpg)
Rose Apple and Grevillea (Oil)
![Cream flowers against a dark background.](https://www.christineatkins.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Rose-Apple-Red-Jug-374x520.jpg)
Rose Apple Red Jug (Oil)
Next Exhibition
My next art exhibition will be held at the Brisbane Institute of Art from 10th to the 23rd November 2022. Send me a note and I’ll remind you before my art show starts.