It has become a tradition for me to buy an amaryllis bulb towards the end of November. I love witnessing its gradual transformation and becoming this beautiful, intricate, and rich flower right in the heart of winter. However, its short lived nature presents a significant challenge when attempting to paint it from life. I must work swiftly, completing the painting within a couple of days before the flower quietly withers away. A few weeks after the blossom fades away, I place the bulb in a dry paper bag, carefully storing it in a dark space for a little under a year. When autumn finally arrives, I prepare to plant it once again, ensuring its cycle continues. On occasion, I plant the bulb outside during spring, allowing it to feed on the nutrients in the soil.