Half Sheet
Arches 140#CP
The mornings lately have been filled with the misty remains of evening showers and the certainty of the day's heat to come. The offical start to spring is only a few days away, but the last two weeks of record high temperatures -- in the 80sF!! -- make the Vernal Equinox feel like the start of SUMMER!
I was tremendously inspired by a photo I saw by Andrew (www.flickr.com/photos/100200300400500/6810561554 as it so reminded me of a color version of the mist and fog I've witnessed over the last few mornings. My thanks to Andrew for allowing me to use his glorious photograph as a reference. and more -- for the inspiration it provided for this painting. Please drop by Andrews's flickr to see some glorious captures! Thank you once more, Andrew!
It was a busy weekend with lunch with the grandchildren, my husband's jam group filling the airwaves with wonderful sounds, taking in a concert and ignoring, yet again, those pesky weeds and gardening chores that are beginning to gnaw at my conscious. I spent a bit of time painting and simply enjoying the walks around the park inhaling the awesome fragrance of tea olive, marveling at the the scarlet reds of the budding maples, the innocent whites of the Bradford pears, the magenta tones of the saucer magnolas, the pinks of peach blossoms, the pale greens of the elms, and the yellows of the hickories.
Dandelions, chickweed, henbit and bitter cress?
If I step a little livelier -- I can walk right past them! LOL
Have a great week!
Monday, March 19, 2012
Mist in the Woods - Thank you Andrew!
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Oleander - and Happy St. Patrick's Day!
10" x 13"
Arches 140#CP
9" x 12"
Arches 140#CP
We are having our June weather in March - and it feels as though Winter has had a date or two with Spring, decided that the short fling was over, and is now engaged to Summer for the serious relationship.
Our temps all week have been in the 70s and mid 80sF --- June weather - and the trees and blossoms are responding with a frenzy. Bradford pears, redbuds, elms, tea olives are all abloom and filling the air with scent --- and pollen. If folks aren’t coughing and blowing their noses from colds in this changeable weather, they’re sniffling and congested with allergies. You can SEE all the tiny flecks of plant life on your windowsills, cars and if you stand still long enough – on your clothing –(well, maybe the clothing is a bit of an exaggeration). But the rapid rush to reproduce in this unseasonable warmth has brought out the ‘plant passion’ in waves upon waves of pollen-laden air as well as a swiftly swirling display of flowers.
I don’t have oleanders in my own garden but for all the years I lived in Charleston, SC, I watched them flower along the roadsides making journeys to the beach even more beautiful with their pink and white blossoms. I remember one year taking the flowers apart to replicate their delicate structures in silk. I was participating in a silk flower making class and my home was filled with vases of these delicately-made plants. Our instructor had patterns for a variety of flowers – but I had to create my own from the oleander.
The oleander has also been called “Sea Rose” or “South Sea Rose” and it is said to be once though as an ‘olive bearing bush’ since the Latin word for olive is ‘olea.’ It is thought to have originated in the Mediterranean and a Greek legend tells us that a young maiden was once romanced by a young man called Leander who later drowned in a wild tempest. When his body was found on the beach, he was clutching this flower. Looking for her lover, the young lady called over and over ‘Oh, Leander, oh, Leander” and when she found his body, she kept the flower as a symbol of their love. The flower grew and became the oleander we know today.
We celebrate St. Patrick’s Day today and instead of mere green and in celebration of our early spring as well as St. Patrick, I’ve decided to add a bit of pink to the day – and celebrate with oleanders!
Ta la maith! In other words - Have a great day!
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Orange Poppies
10" X 13"
Arches 140#CP
Temps today are supposed to reach 82F! Already the mosquitoes have found my skin, the weeds are having a hayday, and spring fever has infected everyone! It's so challenging to sit at a computer all day, needed as it may be, while the sun, heat and scent of newly blooming viburnum and tea olives scent the air with intoxicating fragrances that beckon one to dream!
Whether the calendar proclaims the new season or Pauxitauny Phil hides his tail for being wrong about winter (at least for North Carolina) -- Spring has arrived!
Today our college celebrates 'Spring Fling' - the weather cooperating beautifully. I've several talks to give and meetings to make, so there won't be much 'flinging' for me today.
But tomorrow -- we'll be outdoors planting - another day of promised high temperatures - and a day of gardening will be something to celebrate!
Have a great one!
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Daphne Odora
One of the fragrant flowers abloom on my property. This is an late winter bloom with the most glorious scent!
My Creek
It's been so warm these last few days that the creek along my property is flowing wonderfully. I took a walk along it's meandering pathways enjoying the greens of the ferns, the blue-eyed grasses, and the occasional daffodil patch that reminds me that this particular place on the property was once another homesite for someone else.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Sun's Coming - Thank YOU - Denis Colette!!
10" x 13"
Arches 140#CP
I've always loved the woodlands and the gift of water that runs through them is an especial blessing this time of year. The creeks are flowing once again, the frogs have begun their chorus, and when the light makes its way through the dense foliage, there is a magical moment that is almost transcendent.
This inspired feeling was what I felt the first time I saw Denis' image 'Wild Poem' (www.flickr.com/photos/deniscollette/4147040318/in/photost...). I was transfixed by the light he captured and awed by the play of colors and forms. I was absolutely enchanted!
I was finally able to attempt a bit of that feeling through my interpretation of Denis' photo in watercolors. I've given my version a bit more light for the springtime of the year ... but hope that the magical feeling that was evoked by Denis can also be felt in this work.
Thank you once more, Denis, for your permission to use your photo as a reference for this work -- and more - for the magic your work continually inspires!
I think the painting is fitting today as well, as it is the first day of daylight savings. Last night, we set our clocks ahead so that more daylight hours will be available in the evening time. For me, that means waking in the dark and driving to work in the dark, but being able to work and play more in the evening hours. Hmmm.... I'm not sure if this is a good thing or not when it seems more and more of us are sleep deprived! LOL
I hope your day is wonderful ...and you can enjoy an hour more more of sunlight!
Inspired by
Friday, March 09, 2012
Nandina Berries
1/4 Sheet
Arches 140#CP
I woke this morning to record temperatures – already we are in the high 60s reaching easily into the 70sF and tomorrow – perhaps 80F! CRAZY! The Bradford pears are in bloom, and behind them, the dogwood buds are so swollen that it will be a matter of days before they too join the parade of springtime that began six weeks too early. In our part of the US, the groundhog could not have been more wrong.
But it’s not just the blossoms that are gracing our landscapes these days. The remnants of fall berries are also persisting ….
My friend Jerri captured some of these berries in her awesome photo (www.flickr.com/photos/41612388@N02/6810089384/in/photostream). I just fell in love with this image, and Jerri graciously allowed me to use her photo as a painting reference. THANK YOU so much, Jerri for permission to use your incredible capture!!!
I was inspired to give these berries a loose, airy feel – a nod to the winds we’ve been having – and a bit of light for the season. It still makes me shake my head that this Sunday we begin Daylight Savings Time and spring our clocks forward an hour …
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Again, thank you Jerri for the inspiration – stop by to see some of her truly incredible work!
Have a great Friday!
Tuesday, March 06, 2012
On the Water
Half Sheet
Arches 140#CP
There's a peacefulness I find in the colors or orange, yellow and terra-cotta...and I find that painting with violet and burnt sienna gives me just the right tones and variation that I find relaxing and meditative. My son, a Clemson-fan, also loves these colors and several of my 'orange' paintings are on his walls.
The colors remind me of Italy, and clay pots, and the earth that I love. The violet/orangy blend also reminds me of that golden light before night settles in, when the earth seems to quiet, and the rush of the day is behind us ...
Starring at watery reflections also brings me to that meditative state, as do the sounds of water lapping the shoreline, the sound of frogs calling to one another, the music of crickets playing their serenade.
Peace...
Meditation...
Serenity ....
May we bask in it whenever we can ...