Monday, April 30, 2007

Geraniums


Geraniums
Originally uploaded by linfrye.
Two pretty pots of geraniums sit on the steps of our porch -- one in a mustardy yellow and the other a dark blue. The windowsill herbs I had in them this winter didn't make it and so I've replaced those plants with colorful geraniums.

Monochromatic


Monochromatic
Originally uploaded by linfrye.
My first attempt using a monochromatic palette ... very very useful for value studies! I used Winsor-Newton burnt umber watercolor for this study.

Sunday, April 29, 2007

Phlox Bouquet


phlox bouquet
Originally uploaded by linfrye.
The pale purple phlox is blooming in my secret garden as is the yellow heather ... They're both so pale and cheerful against the greening of the other shrubs and flowers ...

Grands are visiting this weekend -- and beautiful weather to enjoy being out of doors!

Saturday, April 28, 2007

Lost


Lost
Originally uploaded by linfrye.
How is it that I can get lost even with a GPS installed in my car SPECIFICALLY to avoid this common problem of mine???

Yesterday was a very very long day. I left my home just after 6 am and a 2 1/2 hour drive for a conference and graduation ceremony for the leadershipship training I've been attending since last year. I reached my destination -- just fine -- found the school, found the room, found my colleagues.

After 6 hours of ceremony, meetings and lunch, I began the long journey home --- and when I say LONG -- I mean LOOOONNNNGGGG!

I was following the GPS in my car -- when I say I get lost easily -- I am NOT joking! and so this equipment was to be my 'saving grace' ... well, maybe not.

At any rate, I was busily watching the map, obeying the voice commands, and somehow or another, missed my turn and wound up winding my way not northwest ... but southeast --- and probably would have wound up in Florida if I hadn't come across a road I knew from WORK -- clearly -- two hours in the opposite direction of my home!

So when I finally GOT home, I took the manual inside to READ IT AGAIN ... and of course, it's written in computer-Greek language ... and I hope my dear husband will be able to interpret the instructions and what I did wrong --- and not laugh too much at my 'Lucille Ball' antics of geographically challenged events!

I'm quite sore today from over twelve hours of sitting. The grands come this afternoon and I"m sure they'll re-kink my bones and muscles in different ways .... all I can say is I"m glad I'm HOME ...and grateful to have found my way ... LONG that it was!

The silver lining to this saga was I did wind up driving some lovely country roads that I may never find again, and wound up in Raleigh. I spent a bit of time at Jerry's Artarama trying to walk my legs back into some feeling ... and I bought myself my first Kolinsky sable brush ... thank heavens it was on sale!! It was my 'reward' I suppose for finding anything familiar! LOL

Friday, April 27, 2007

Wisteria


Wisteria
Originally uploaded by linfrye.
Each spring our southern trees are festooned with wisteria vines, turning the roadsides into cascading perfumes of purple.

As the wisteria began its show this spring, however, we were hit with almost a week's worth of freezing weather, after several weeks of exceptionally warm temperatures than propelled blossoms into an early flowering. The frost killed so much of the wisteria's blooms, that I used a photo reference to remember this typical spring view.

Thursday, April 26, 2007

Wooden Shoes


Wooden Shoes
Originally uploaded by linfrye.
Carved from wood, these six inch wooden shoes hold special memories for Rebecca and sit on her husband's desk. Rebecca has requested several copies of them for her family and to send to the gentleman who carved them for her late husband.

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Bells


Bells
Originally uploaded by linfrye.
Three bells from Rebecca's mantle. The set came from a Catholic Church with a story about her departed husband and my friend, Ken. The evening spent in reminiscences...

So reminds me "For Whom the Bell Tolls......"

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Pot o' Greens


Pot o' Greens
Originally uploaded by linfrye.
Yesterday was a quiet, restful day, much needed after so much recent activity and heavy demands. The sun was shining and temperatures reached over 80F ... more like the beginning of summer than spring.

Leaves on the trees are coming on strong now, and flowers are popping out everywhere! The bluebird eggs have hatched in the bluebird house and when I sit on the portch, I watch Mom and Dad busily feeding their new brood. I ususally see two to four broods hatch each year from that single wooden box ... but I haven't seen the first humming bird.

I am still fascinated with terra cotta flowerpots ... I just love the combination of human-made against the softness of natural materials. I sketched this from a reference photo. I tried to work outdoors yesterday -- but the wind kept taking my art materials across the property and drying my paints quicker than I could wet them! So I enjoyed the bird song and the scent of new flowers and gave myself into a real rest!

Monday, April 23, 2007

A Bit of Blue in the Green, EDM 116


A bit of blue in the green
Originally uploaded by linfrye.
Yesterday was Earth Day, and we celebrated by planting the blueberry bushes we brought home from the sale, flowers, herbs and vegetables ... I even managed to get some 'round-up' on those weeds taking over the raspberry beds and gravel paths.

Down the street from our home is a small field that caught my eye with its masses of 'bluets' (Houstonia caerulea (Hedyotis caerulea) -- see (http://www.ct-botanical-society.org/galleries/houstoniacaer.html). They so reminded me of all the bluebell paintings at EDM and especially Julie's (http://onemilefromhome.blogspot.com/) that I wanted to capture the small patches of them.

I'm still working on my landscape sketches (and the trees I love!!)... and need a ton more practice ... but they're FUN!

Sunday, April 22, 2007

Native Honeysuckle


Native Honeysuckle
Originally uploaded by linfrye.
The plant sale yesterday went fairly well -- considering that there were HUNDREDS of events going on during the same time; in fact, I was scheduled for THREE different places to be myself!

We were down in visitors and sales overall ... but we'll continue selling plants from the office for droppers-by and then plant the remaining items around the arboretum.

It was a tiring day -- up at 4, back home 14 hours later, a three hour drive, and chatting with guests, giving out plant information, walking between venues for eight hours. The massage therapy students were there -- and yes, my back never felt better!!! LOL Bought some pottery and photography from the art students, and the chorus kept us entertained. Later in the day my husband and his friend took up where the chorus left off, and kept the place lively with music and song.

Temperatures rose to high 70s ... so it was a delightful day!

Today, I have a date to plant a few vegetables, blueberry bushes, herbs and flowers that I just couldn't resist ! Sure wish those massage therapy students were still operating nearby!! LOL

EDM115 shopping cart


EDM115 shopping cart
Originally uploaded by linfrye.
My grands have a small plastic shopping cart that they each roll around the house -- race-car style. Nick usually rolls the cart; Emily rolling her baby stroller.

They've also play with the small boxes and cans in a 'grocery store' simulation and a few of them are in the cart ...

My perspective is askew, and my liner brush refused to cooperate .. but it was excellent practice! lol

Friday, April 20, 2007

Spring Peeper


Spring Peeper
Originally uploaded by linfrye.
With the return of warm weather, the one inch spring peepers have resumed their chorus ... what a welcome sound!

Our plant sale is tomorrow .. and we leave at 5 am for the all day event -- so I'm posting this tonight!

Have a wonderful day, all!

Roses For Remembering


Roses
Originally uploaded by linfrye.
I received roses to remember the events and celebration of the Easter season .... I post them today to honor and remember, too, those who lost their lives and those who will be forever affected by the events at Virginia Tech.

In memory and honor.

Thursday, April 19, 2007

Carnations


Carnations
Originally uploaded by linfrye.
Continued practice at rendering objects with a 'looser' style.

We're readying the greenhouse for our plant sale Saturday -- students have been tidying the grounds and buildings -- mercy, it's the best the place has looked since LAST plant sale! LOL

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Lady Banks


Lady Banks
Originally uploaded by linfrye.
Lady Banks rose, a thornless, evergreen vine, is in full bloom at the Arboretum and in our region of North Carolina.

Some general information: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/roses/ladybanks.htm

I love roses -- they're my mom's favorite flower -- and this one is particularly pest free, flowers early in the bloom season, and evergreen. My only wish for it would be a stronger fragrance and a much longer bloom time!

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Dandelions


Dandelions
Originally uploaded by linfrye.
I walked down the driveway to retrieve the mail the other day and these cheerful 'flowers' seemed to line my route. I swear I could hear them laughing at me, as weather and illness saved their lives a bit longer, delaying their attack by a steady stream of 'Round-up"!

They've a more prominent place in my lawn than anything else these days! What's that adage about the shoemaker's children having no shoes? This is the horticulture instructor's rendition, I'm afraid!

Funny thing ..I really do like the plants...they're pretty useful. They were a staple in European gardens before American colonization -- they were used as a potherb ... and the colonists brought them over for their gardens. (And there are larger leaved varieties for sale to plant in gardens -- less bitter, actually) in several seed catalogues!) Flowers make a tasty flowered and fried snack - tasking much like fried artichokes, or rendered into wine, roots make a tea, leaves as greens.

And clever! Ever notice that the flowers stay pretty low to the ground so that your lawnmower misses them? But that fluffball of a seedhead pokes WAY UP HIGH so that your lawnmower scatters the seeds everywhere? And all the flowers (each of those ray flowers making up the entire yellow head) are female -- who've evolved their own special way of reproduction. And heaven knows, they've escaped from their rows of cultivated gardens and prospered to inhabit much of the landscape.

Yep, a lot to admire in one wee, humble? plant ... but, Miss Dandy, we've a date with a sprayer -- SOON!

Monday, April 16, 2007

Guided Works: Yellow Field


Yellow Field
Originally uploaded by linfrye.
My dear friend has been working with me on a number of watercolor projects. I'll be posting some of these under "Guided Works" as so much of the work was guided by this kind and generous individual and not solely my own creation.

In this landscape, my attempt is toward simplification and lossening up, plus using a number of different techniques -- including the use of gouache. Probably the hardest lesson for me to learn is to 'let go and let the paint!' I have such a bad habit of 'fiddling' and 'detailing' things until I've overworked the painting... but I'm learning, albeit --- slowly! lol

Sunday, April 15, 2007

Saturday, April 14, 2007

Thermometer


Thermometer
Originally uploaded by linfrye.
I came home from work this week fully ready to pack our bags for our visit to South Carolina. My granddaughter is celebrating her first birthday, and my son-in-law is home just before his deployment to the war zone.

Unfortunately, this highly anticipated trip and family get together was sideswiped by illness -- both for me and for my husband. C left work on Wednesday with a fever, aches, chills -- yep, the flu. I got home Thursday with a fever, aches -- but most likely, according to my doctor, from the tick bite I received a week ago. Horrible timing!

Both of us have spent the last couple of days drinking fluids, resting, taking meds, while the family celebrations went on.

Being sick is bad enough -- being sick during a most anticipated and longed-for family event -- is heartbreaking.

EDM114 something i love that is ugly

This old robe has served me well -- it fits just as I like it, wraps around me so that I feel 'snuggly' and is good and warm. But it has become stained with coffee, paint, and other ephemera -- so much so that it looks like I'm wrapped in rags. But I simply cannot give it up for the brand new one I received at Christmas!

Friday, April 13, 2007

Lilacs


Lilacs
Originally uploaded by linfrye.
A somewhat loose approach to lilacs -- detail in the pencil lines, looser application of watercolor.

Thursday, April 12, 2007

Tulips by the Fence


Tulips by the Fence
Originally uploaded by linfrye.
Even though we've had a week of record freezing temperatures, these hardy tulips continue to bloom against the arboretum fence. They cheer me each morning!

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Loose Lilacs


Loose Lilacs
Originally uploaded by linfrye.
Returning to work after a holiday ALWAYS means a super-intense day of busyness -- yesterday was no exception! SIGH!

I sketched some lilacs in an attempt toward looseness and faster work completion in my attempt to get a decent night's rest! LOL

(Photo reference -- our lilacs are not yet in bloom -- in fact, the 4 days of freezing weather has burned so many of our flowers - the azaleas especially, strawberry and blueberry blossoms, peaches -- our farmers really took a hit with this late winter weather.)

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Marsh


Marsh
Originally uploaded by linfrye.
While there is much that needs improvement in this quickly done sketch and watercolor, I loved the scene and the memories it invokes of the Isle of Palms, SC, where I raised my children. I much preferred the calmness of the marsh and quiet of the waterway to the pounding surf of the beach.

Monday, April 09, 2007

Quarterly Check on New Years Goals

My friend, Linda from "Quotidian Curiosities" suggested we check in with the goals we made at the first of the year and see how we're doing.

Here are the goals I listed:

* Sketch/paint daily* - Yep, I've been keeping this one!! YEAH!

* Practice more faces and figures - I've done a few more figures, but only a few faces this quarter .. I'm going to have to revisit this goal and step up practice!!

* Sketch more scenes from daily life - pretty much. I've been sketching a lot of things from the Arboretum -- my daily view!

* Sketch the everyday - recognizing the extraordinariness of life - I could use focusing on this a bit more.

* Work through the many art books on my sheleves - I've been referring to these, but I have to be honest -- I haven't 'worked' through any yet!

* Practice more values and perspective* - YES, I have been practicing this!

* LOOSEN UP!! I'm WORKING on this! LOL

* Increase my economy of line and sketching speed - Another one I"m working on - but I still have such trouble LEAVING THINGS ALONE and stopping before I fiddle my paintings to death!

* Use richer colors - but keep them transparent - I've been using much more darks and more intense colors -- but I'm not sure I'm succeeding in keeping them as transparent as I'd like.

* Sketch more things of meaning - Somewhat -- I've been sketching flowers, which I love -- but I could use to do more meaningful things BESIDES flowers!! LOL

* Increase my journal entries - especially more writing - hmmmm.... not writing as much as I should be.

* Improve page compositions - working on this a bit.

and as always: PRACTICE! PRACTICE! PRACTICE! OH YES!! Doing this a lot!

Overall, I see where I've focused and where I've slipped from my original goals. Good idea -- thanks Linda!

Iris


Iris
Originally uploaded by linfrye.
The Irises are abloom at the Arboretum ... Here at home, I've had a few poke their heads above the ground, but the flowers seem to be awaiting the warm-up at the end of the week.

Sunday, April 08, 2007

Easter Bunny


Easter Bunny
Originally uploaded by linfrye.
Though the stores present this friendly bunny in whites and yellows, his cousin who visits our gardens frequently is a mottled brown ... and, unfortunately, he doesn't leave eggs...nor our lettuce!

Happy Easter, everyone, Happy Spring!

Saturday, April 07, 2007

Banana Shrub - Michelia Figo


Banana Shrub - Michelia Figo
Originally uploaded by linfrye.
The other day I left my office to pull a few weeds from the kitchen garden. As I moved among the plants, I noticed a heavenly, absolutely SWEET scent, and following 'my nose' to this bright green shrub along the fence. Michelia Figo, or banana shrub (http://www.floridata.com/ref/M/mich_fig.cfm).

This glossy green shrub was covered in cream flowers that made my head swim with a scent like bananas -- but only more upscale, more exotic,and so much less cloying than ripe bananas. INCREDIBLE! So I snapped a photo and sketched it at home.

I think come fall when my students are propatating woody ornaments, THIS shrub will be on the 'to do' list!

Friday, April 06, 2007

Redbud


Redbud
Originally uploaded by linfrye.
The redbuds are fiinally in their full glory! And we have a cold snap -- geez!

Thursday, April 05, 2007

EDM113 Fence


EDM113 Fence
Originally uploaded by linfrye.
There is something so moving to me about a fence surrounded by wildflowers -- perhaps it's the contrast of hard wood amid soft delicate flowers. No matter -- I love the two together!

Wednesday, April 04, 2007

Flowering Quince


Flowering Quince
Originally uploaded by linfrye.
My quince is absolutely in full bloom! What a glorious sight!

Tuesday, April 03, 2007

Tulips


Tulips
Originally uploaded by linfrye.
Tis the season for bold and lovely displays of tulips. Everywhere I look, the tulips are in full bloom -- except my own flower beds. I'm at least a half zone later and cooler than the places I visit and work ... but the streetscapes and public gardens are simply awesome with variously hued tulips!

Monday, April 02, 2007

Treasures from the sea


Treasures from the sea
Originally uploaded by linfrye.
A few souvenirs from my trip to the beach.

Violets


Violets
Originally uploaded by linfrye.
The violets are blooming in my flower beds. They turn the brown earth green and purple with mats of sweet, innocent harbingers of spring.

Sunday, April 01, 2007

Live Oak


Live Oak
Originally uploaded by linfrye.
From the main conference room where we spent a good amount of time, the window beyond the powerpoint slides gave a fair view of this live oak. The fencing is from the porch area that surrounded the building, and beyond it, one could catch a glimpse of the water in the lagoon. The maritime forest beyond the tree was just coming into its own. Though the magnolias and palms remain green all winter, some of the other trees and shrubs were just leafing out. I could have sat and sketched for days!