Thursday, July 29, 2010

Inspired by Faux Glads


Inspired by Faux Glads
Originally uploaded by linfrye
Daily Practice
Journal

The gladiolas in my garden are long gone, but I wanted to try to achieve a splatter and splash done more vertically --- I probably should have made that right hand 'shoe' into a leaf -- but I thought it was interesting in itself! LOL

I'm off for the next five days to Kentucky to spend some much-anticipated time with a dear friend I haven't seen in five years! She's planned a ton of things to do, including a bit of painting -- and I'm so very excited!

I don't know if I'll be able to keep up with everyone until I return next week ... meantime, though, my brushes will definitely be wet ...

Hope yours will be too ...

WIP - Purple Daylilies


WIP - Purple Daylilies
Originally uploaded by linfrye
Daily Practice

This flower challenge is from a photo I took of a daylily garden at Cape Fear Botanical Garden this summer -- I wanted to see how closely I could come to achieving that rich red/purple color against the contrasting gold .... I'm pretty happy with the colors--this was done without any drawing -- and now I need to consider how I want to approach the rest of the painting ...

Still pondering.....

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Dark Stormy Night


Dark Stormy Night
Originally uploaded by linfrye
Daily Practice
Journal

The rain has arrived! And with it cooler temperatures, winds, thunder, lightning -- a good solid soaking that should last several days. YAHOO!!

This impressionistic painting is based a bit on imagination as I work with some 'loose suggestive' ideas from Jean Haines new book "Colour and Light in Watercolor' -- what a beautiful display of her own splashing and creating techniques .... Harder than it appears (as all paintings seem too! LOL) - I've been working on some of those techniques all week -- much to my frustration! My own need for a bit of solidity and line coupled with what I love about splash and splatter tend toward a creative tension that doesn't always resolve itself in a work I like ... I suppose that is part of the struggle of growth -- but it certainly fills the trash can! LOL

Hope your day is great - rain finds its way to your thirsty plants - and we all return to the 'flow' ....

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Daylilies


Daylilies
Originally uploaded by linfrye
Daily Practice
Journal

Daylilies still brighten the landscape, though the quantity and vigor of the flowers are lessened by the heat, lack of rain and passing of time. Still, from wild oranges that seem to find a bit of moisture in the irrigation ditches to those plants with a bit of afternoon sun, their cheerful colors continue to delight!

I thought I'd give these a more studied approach and try to show the wonderful warm colors in their petals....

It's cooled a bit, if one considers mid-90s to be cool, and so being out of doors isn't as difficult as when temps and humidity were over 100F ...

Hope your day is grand!

Monday, July 26, 2010

Beach Dreaming


Beach Dreaming
Originally uploaded by linfrye
Daily Practice
Journal

It's back to a short week at work -- the pile of paperwork and 'musts' await me, and after a week at home, I'm still dreaming of beaches and leisure sunny days....

We had bit of rain and storm last night - so I'm glad the gardens got an additional bit of water.

We're cooling off to the mid-90s this week -- ahhh ... cool?? LOL

Have a great week!

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Cool, Green, Shady


Cool, Green, Shady
Originally uploaded by linfrye
Daily Practice
Journal

We've yet another (a week's worth!) of days with heat indices of over 100F.... In my head, John Denver's song "Cool and Green and Shady" plays over and over:

Saturday's, holidays, easy afternoon
Lazy days, summer days, nothing much to do
Rainy days are better days, for hanging out inside
Rainy days and city ways make me want to hide
Someplace cool and green and shady.

Find yourself a piece of grassy ground
Lay down, close your eyes
Find yourself and maybe lose yourself
While your free spirit flies...

August skies, lullabys, promises to keep
Dandelions and twisting vines, Clover at your feet
Memories of Aspen leaves, trembling on the wind
Honeybees and fantasies
Where to start again
Someplace cool and green and shady

Cool and green and shady
Cool and green and shady
Cool and green and shady
Cool and green and shady

Words and music by John Denver and Joe Henry

We put up 30 jars of blood orange and cantaloupe jam last night -- the recipe for cantaloupe jam called for oranges - and I didn't have any in the house ... C remembered that we had blood orange pulp in the freezer and we substituted that -- oh my gracious -- absolutely YUMMY!!!! I have a bit of this mix left over after making 2 batches, so I'm trying to find a clever way of using it -- maybe muffins?? Hmmmmmm......

Today is watering day -- everything is wilting --- no rain in sight -- so I won't get to the paint table for a while --- but the plants will be happy ...! LOL

Stay cool -- and in the shade if you can!

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Guys Glowing Lavender Field

Daily Practice
Journal

THANK YOU, Guy! for allowing me to paint from this wonderous image (http://www.flickr.com/photos/10422334@N08/)! The scan this morning doesn't show the subtle golden tones evident in the real painting --- but I so enjoyed the contrasts of gold, blue, lavender and purple -- thank you again, Guy, for the inspiration!

We're in for another 100F day and by now, we - people and landscapes - are collectively wilting ..... I watch the humidity condense on my skylight windows and wish for the relief of rain - but there is little to be had. I'm thinking of resorting to painting snow to try to cool off! LOL

Despite all this heat, those grape tomatoes are STILL producing like mad. I picked another quart yesterday - and the constant hum of my dehydrator is the music hit of the summer ....

Stay cool ...!

Friday, July 23, 2010

Playing with Colorful Abstracts and Angles --- This Way

Daily Practice
Journal

Some days, I just want to do something meditative -- and yesterday was one of them. I have been working on our lecture series for next year (ever try to get reservations a full year in advance? Folks think you're crazed! LOL) And I wanted to do something different -- and so this is what happened.....

I painted this horizontally -- but like a lot of abstracts, sometimes if you turn it one way or another, you 'find or see' something entirely different. I turned this work vertically and felt much better - a bit more optimistic, as though the angles rose instead of slid off the page ... so vertical it is.

Temps are going in the 100sF today - and even though I stay in most of the day, the heat seems to permeate the walls of the house and still sap one's energy.

I've been drying peaches for the winter and the smell makes my mouth water ... I hope I can resist enough of them to actually SAVE some ...!

Stay cool and be careful outdoors!

Playing with Colorful Abstracts and Angles

Daily Practice
Journal

This is how I painted it ... but I think I like the movement better vertical ....

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Field of Poppies, Buttons and Queen Annes Lace CROP

The cropped version .... a bit calmer with more focus on the poppies ...

Field of Poppies, Buttons and Queen Annes Lace

9" x 12"
Arches 140#CP

Another challenge from Bill (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lorus_maver/4813746898/) -- a very complex landscape with some incredible flowers -- poppies, batchelor's buttons, Queen Anne's Lace.

I loved the field scene -- but think my interpretation is far too busy without a central focus of interest ... I'm playing with some ideas with this image and will redo.

I do like the cropped version though ....

Thanks Bill --- I'm still being stretched ... and will play more with this!

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Inspired by Pineapples


Inspired by Pineapples
Originally uploaded by linfrye
Daily Practice
Journal

When temps get so uncomfortable that the usual fluids don't seem to quence a thirst, I often resort to summer fruits to do the job. Though my favorite thirst-quencher fruit is watermelon, pineapple ranks pretty high in my fruit basket choices.

I remember visiting the Dole Plantation many, many years ago - the acres of pineapples were astonishing to see, and Dole suggested endless uses of the fruit in all sorts of dishes. But what has remained with me all these years later is how they sprinkled sea salt over the sliced pineapple to help 'cut' the acidity! Doing so changes the taste a bit -- but one can sure eat a lot more that way!

We're into triple digits today and tomorrow - Stay safe and cool ...

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Field of Cosmos


Field of Cosmos
Originally uploaded by linfrye
Daily Practice
Journal

I've been trying for weeks to capture that elusive lightness of cosmos as they dance in fields of grasses and other flowers - this is the closest I could come to that vision .. I'm still not thoroughly happy with it -- but it's close.

Thank you for all your kind comments and well wishes yesterday. The surgery went well and my vision is clearer this morning. I can now actually read a bit with that one eye -- something I haven't been able to do since I was 12! LOL Ah, modern medicine! The second surgery will be done after this eye heals -- and in my head the song 'I can see clearly now' keeps playing ...! Gratitude fills me.

Temps will be extreme this week with triple digits predicted and no more rain showers. Typically, NC feels this kind of weather in August - but we've an early start this year ...The high heat is affecting much of the east coast this week - so I hope everyone stays cool and hydrated ...

Be careful outside ....

Monday, July 19, 2010

My Grape Tomatoes - Lin Frye


My Grape Tomatoes
Originally uploaded by linfrye
Daily Practice
Journal

This has been a very good year for grape tomatoes -- and these in my garden are producing TONS of 1 1/2"-2" orbs of sweet, juicy fruit.

I have planted several varieties -- but like tags of all kinds, they've become lost or weather worn -- but I know which I've ordered from Johnny's Seeds, and I'll order them again. Despite the drought, the bouts of rain, the intense high temperatues, my scanty weekend watering, these sweet things have been growing and producing like nothing else in my garden.

Before I left to visit my grands, I picked several quarts, and picked TWICE as much when I got home. The hum of the dehydrator has been going non-stop as we slice and dry and save these for winter use. I've put up my special summer tomato sauce to enjoy mid-winter too -- when I'm desperate to remember sunny weather. What a gift of the Americas - the tomato!

We had another good rain last night with predictions of possible showers this afternoon. I'm delighted!!

Lin Frye
North Carolina
North Carolina

My Grape Tomatoes


My Grape Tomatoes
Originally uploaded by linfrye
Daily Practice
Journal

This has been a very good year for grape tomatoes -- and these in my garden are producing TONS of 1 1/2"-2" orbs of sweet, juicy fruit.

I have planted several varieties -- but like tags of all kinds, they've become lost or weather worn -- but I know which I've ordered from Johnny's Seeds, and I'll order them again. Despite the drought, the bouts of rain, the intense high temperatues, my scanty weekend watering, these sweet things have been growing and producing like nothing else in my garden.

Before I left to visit my grands, I picked several quarts, and picked TWICE as much when I got home. The hum of the dehydrator has been going non-stop as we slice and dry and save these for winter use. I've put up my special summer tomato sauce to enjoy mid-winter too -- when I'm desperate to remember sunny weather. What a gift of the Americas - the tomato!

I may be off-line for a few days. I go in for cataract and lens implant surgery this morning. I have been wearing my contact lenses for over 45 years - YIKES! - and they've begun to irritate my eyes. My one near-sighted eye and my one far-sighted eye have gone extreme and I cannot be fitted with corrective lenses -- and so, this operation is necessary. My left eye will be done this morning -- and maybe next month - the right.

Meantime, I'm fasting from food and liquids -- and missing my morning cup of coffee!

We had another good rain last night with predictions of possible showers this afternoon. I'm delighted!!

Take care -- I'll catch up soon ...

Sunday, July 18, 2010

IT FINALLY RAINED!


IT FINALLY RAINED!
Originally uploaded by linfrye
Daily Practice
Journal

I got home yesterday, unpacked the car, and the storm hit! Dark clouds, thunder, lightning, and rain -- sweet, blessed rain! Once I reached Raleigh, I ran into the stuff -- it stopped traffic for a while -- but oh how joyful I was to know the garden, the trees, the animals, were finally getting a bit of water! The rain and my views from the road inspired this memory painting.

The month-long drought at the house, though, despite watering, has hit some trees hard. I imagine that the accumulation of several years of drought have stressed the trees sufficiently that this last bout was the perverbial 'straw' that broke the camel. Sycamore leaves, yellowing months early, are now on the ground, and the trees stand almost bare .... it looks like they're celebrating and early fall ... but I know how susceptible they are to any insect or disease that might come along.

And I know that these are not the only plants under stress. Shrubs, annuals, perennials are also hard hit. Talking with other gardeners I find that they've lost specimen trees of all kinds, prized shrubs, perennials they've had for a long time. Sad.

Temps are supposed to be in the high, high 90s this week --- I'm trying to look at this as though it's a free visit to a sauna .....LOL

I've much to catch up on today -- I already miss the grands -- but oh, it's good to be HOME!

Saturday, July 17, 2010

My Neighbor's Mailbox


My Neighbor's Mailbox
Originally uploaded by linfrye
Daily Practice
Journal

Another oldie -- walking along our rural road, the mailboxes are often covered with vines and flowers of some sort. This one of my neighbor's caught my eye a while back .....

Still no rain -- sigh -- these flowers today are dried and crispy ... much like the other water-hungry flora ...

When I get home it'll be 'hose-duty' again ....

Taylor!


Taylor!
Originally uploaded by linfrye
It's been so much fun spending time with the 'girls'! From shopping to dance preparations and performance, picking bllueberries, playing house, painting, chase, and of course, celebratory lunches --- and all the rest - !

Sure makes me realize when YOUNG folks have the children! LOL I may not play soccer with the girls - but all the shopping, chasing, pretending, fixing, finding, crafting can be mighty tiring! LOL

It's off to home this afternoon --- it will be hard to say goodbye...

Riley after finishing her ice cream!


Picking Blueberries with Taylor

Only 98F!!!

Taylor's Performance


Taylor's Performance
Originally uploaded by linfrye
Such a beautiful ballerina!

Riley singing and dancing to the music!


Friday, July 16, 2010

Inspired by Soft Flowers


Inspired by Soft Flowers
Originally uploaded by linfrye
Daily Practice
Journal

I've had this painting in my journal since May -- and since I'm out of town thought I'd post it while I have a quiet moment and my family is sleeping....

It's a wonderful time!! The girls have grown so much -- Taylor has her dance camp performance this morning, and Riley, 18 months old and jabbering like we should all know what she's talking about, is hilarious! It's so GRAND to see my girls again and spend some time playing, shopping, and painting.

I leave for home tomorrow afternoon - long drive -- so I'll catch up on Sunday ...

We've had a bit of rain here - none back home -- I'm hoping those rain clouds follow me home!

Inspired by Soft Flowers


Inspired by Soft Flowers
Originally uploaded by linfrye
Daily Practice
Journal

I've had this painting in my journal since May -- and since I'm out of town thought I'd post it while I have a quiet moment and my family is sleeping....

It's a wonderful time!! The girls have grown so much -- Taylor has her dance camp performance this morning, and Riley, 18 months old and jabbering like we should all know what she's talking about, is hilarious! It's so GRAND to see my girls again and spend some time playing, shopping, and painting.

I leave for home tomorrow afternoon - long drive -- so I'll catch up on Sunday ...

We've had a bit of rain here - none back home -- I'm hoping those rain clouds follow me home!

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Still Waters


Still Waters
Originally uploaded by linfrye
9" x 12"
Arches 140#CP

The storm finally came our way last night - thunder, lightning, wind -- and blessed rain .... thank you all for doing the rain dance with me!!!! It rained for several hours -- and though we still need more -- I am ever grateful for what has fallen and relieved our thirsty plants and wildlife!

This painting was greatly inspired by a moving photo by A. Cascalheira (http://www.flickr.com/photos/cascalheira/) -- what an incredible photographer!
I loved the pink hues and the still waters! My upload looks bit crooked this morning -- sorry ...!

I'm off for several days to visit my dd and granddaughters -- so I'll be mighty scarce until Sunday.

I hope you have a great week -- keep the paints wet -- and thank you for your rain thoughts!

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Brown Eyed Susans


Brown Eyed Susans
Originally uploaded by linfrye
Daily Pactice
Journal

The bright yellows and golds of the brown-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta) are dancing in the garden despite the lack of rain and intense heat. This perennial (in some areas it is an annual) can reach heights of 12"-24" and tend to form wonderfully bright golden beds of rich color. The roots have been used as an astringent for sores and swelling and drops have been used for earaches. It has been reported that the roots have also been used in much the same way as purple cone flowers - for snake bite, headaches, to treat bronchitis, colds and other illnesses - as an immune-system booster.

The plantsmen are developing so many varieties of this plant that these, like purple cone flower, are an incredible addition to any garden.

The plants at the Arboretum are doing beautifully -- but mine at home, drought-stressed over the last few years - have become rather skimpy and sparse. At the field day nursery visits last week, I picked up a few new plants and gave them a new home -- but if we don't hve significant rain soon, even these won't make it, even with watering.

I rained here in Smithfield yesterday -- in fact my friend and I walked after work IN the drizzle -- wasn't too much though - we never got sodden. But in Oxford -- less than a quarter of an inch (.03) fell -- sigh. It's overcast this morning -- more rain dancing for sure.

Monday, July 12, 2010

Inspired by Elephants


Inspired by Elephants
Originally uploaded by linfrye
Daily Practice
Journal

Inspired by Jean Haines and Bill's Hen challenge, I'm trying to find more animals in my splashes. The theory has always been to write and paint what one knows .... I've studied flowers for years, as well as love them, therefore,I tend to 'see' flowers in my abstractions. Trying to see other things is a good exercise -- and learning their shapes and parts is a good stretch too. I have a bit more to learn about elephants for sure -- but I did manage to see ears and trunks here and the beginning of a body .... Fun...

Work week begins again -- the rain dance continues ....

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Clusters of Queen Annes Lace

Daily Practice
Journal

After staining every window in the house, washing curtains, hanging window treatments and then curtains, cleaning the spills and mess, I wanted some 'fresh air' from the order of the finish we were using.

Hot as it was, I walked around our road and spotted some of the last Queen Anne's Lace flowers. I LOVE their daintiness and the way they really brighten our green roadsides.

I started by adding masking, then splashing on colors, especially focused on the flower bottoms.

I really liked the lighter version, but after thinking about it a while, felt the colors needed more stregthening to contrast with the whites. I scanned both versions because I rather like them both! LOL

C has his jam today and I hope to rest a bit and find some time to paint a bit more before the workweek.

After all the threatening clouds, not a drop of rain -- sigh ... Alaready the sycamore trees are showing signs of stress and have turned yellow as they do in September, and our crab apple tree has also dropped a lot of leaves.

Rain dance anyone?

Inspired by the light in Queen Annes Lace

Daily Practice
Journal

The first phase of my Queen Anne's Lace painting. Masking fluid has been removed, splashes light - but I tend to like it nonetheless.

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Inspired by Bill's Hens


Inspired by Bill's Hens
Originally uploaded by linfrye
Daily Practice
Journal

Rising to Bill's Challenge (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lorus_maver/4774391349/) I used my splatter and splash method to begin moving into animal paintings. It took several attempts before I was satisfied with this hen - but oh it was fun -- THANK YOU BILL!!! You have inspired me to begin seeing animals in my splashes!!!

I simplified the image to a single hen. (The one I attempted with two hens became too busy.) But I really enjoyed this and will be 'looking' for more animals!

Funny thing about chickens -- so many of my staff and Plant A Row volunteers are raising chickens -- for their eggs and for their meat ...they're good layers, provide an organic 'insect control' and often provide fertilizer for the garden... plus they're hilarious to watch! The B&B where I stayed had chickens - -and like dogs and cats, each has a personality that can be such fun to observe....!

Again, thank you Bill for the 'stretch'!

Though some of the towns around me have had rain, we're still dry as dust. I spent a good amount of time watering plants yesterday. Today, again with promises of the wet stuff, we're staining the new window molding and moving things around ... a bit house-focused but necessary.

It's cooled a bit with the cloud cover - but mercy, I wish it would rain!

Have a great day!

Travel Gear


Travel Gear
Originally uploaded by linfrye
I've been asked to show the watercolor supplies I travel with ---

Here you see my case of brushes, pencils, pallet knife, my foldable waterpot, and my 'journal.' I used to have these spiral bound - but I've been going through so many sheets of paper lately, that I haven't have the time to get any bound. Instead, I keep them together with a bulldog clip.

You can see the two different size 'journals' I've been using. The larger are sheets of Arches watercolor 140#CP paper cut into eights. The smaller is a pad of Arches 140#CP paper, 9" x 12" cut in half.

Since my worknight evening painting time is often limited to an hour or a bit more, the smaller size paper is just the right size for daily practice.

Travel Gear


Travel Gear
Originally uploaded by linfrye
I've been asked to show the watercolor supplies I travel with ---

Here you can see my small travel pallet filled with mostly Winsor-Newton tube paints. The paints dry, making it possible to close the pallet and take it everywhere I go.

Friday, July 09, 2010

Path Across Mountain Fields


Path Across Mountain Fields
Originally uploaded by linfrye
Daily Practice
Journal

I painted this scene from memory when C and I were in the mountains of NC. We had taken a walk through the woods, up the hill, across the stream, and at the opening in the forest came upon this view of the Smokey Mountains and former orchard. When we finished our hike, I painted this from the desk in the cabin ....

It's been a rough week of extraordinarily hot temperatures, and though the coastal counties have had a bit of rain, we're still scorched. Our Plant a Row for the Hungry folks come earlier and earlier to pick the vegetables, weed the garden and have a gardening lesson -- long before the worst heat of the day. Still, after an hour outdoors in the heat and humidity, we are all dripping wet and ready for air-conditioned relief. And to think we still have August (our worst heat month) to go ....

The sun isn't up yet and I'm running the sprinklers. The new windows are in -- and oh my look fantastic! We've some work to do on their trim and new window treatments - another busy weekend.

I hope to get some leisurely hours to paint -- my evening practice hasn't been very successful this week -

Stay cool .... and keep those brushes splashing!

Thursday, July 08, 2010

Sunflowers - In a Splash


Sunflowers - In a Splash
Originally uploaded by linfrye
Daily Practice
Journal

I painted this a few months ago as I was working to loosen up prior to painting something else. It so reminded me of sunflowers that I left it rather abstract and kept the splashed affect.

The hot weather has zapped my energy and my late night paintings after work aren't quite doing what I'd like -- but I keep plodding along - practice is practice! LOL

We harvest vegetables for the food bank this morning, and I"m still working through the planning stages for next year's Arboretum events and the mounds of paperwork that seem to settle on my desk.

Stay cool today!

Wednesday, July 07, 2010

Quiet Stream (SAA Paint)


Quiet Stream (SAA Paint)
Originally uploaded by linfrye
Daily Practice
Journal

I received my copy of SAA's PAINT the other day - and a challenge was offered to paint this scene using pastels. I used watercolor instead, and though I like the colors and hues, I think I could have made the stream wander a bit more especially on the right side -- it would have given this view more interest and more of a natural line. Still, I enjoyed the challege and finding ways to give the foreground variety and the water some depth.

It was a scorcher yesterday with a repeat performance today -- with temps of 101F ... even sitting indoors with the air conditioning on -- is so very draining. My staff returns from July 4th holiday and there will be much to catch up ....

Take care -- stay hydrated and be cool!

Tuesday, July 06, 2010

Inspired by Purple Cone Flowers

Daily Practice
Journal
Splatter and Splash

The cone flowers in my garden have run riot! I can see an entire bed of green and pink from my front windows, and last year, a lone white appeared among the pink blossoms. This year, a second cluster of white flowers has appeared, and I've added some new varieties as well to see if they'll wind up mingling ... my own botanical experiments.

This set of cone flowers was painted a few weeks ago when my friend Jodi came to paint. We sat on the porch in pretty warm weather, and painted to the quietness of summer - a few birds breaking the silence with their songs, crickets and tree frogs chirping for water.

My approach here was my typical splatter and splash ... the painting has a firmer feel to me than the previous approach - much like the flowers themselves.

What I like in both cases are the variation in edges - how some disappear into the others, some hard edged, some fading into nothing ... still the individuation of each flower is bothering me and I'll be playing again with this subject.

Meantime, it's back to work and a full week of catch up ... hot temperatures (in the high 90sF), and the great need for rain.

Stay cool!

Soft Approach to Purple Cone Flowers

Daily Practice
Journal
(Influenced by work of Jean Haines)

I am constantly reading and learning about various approaches to watercolor. And as such, I try to do as much experimenting as I can to find ways of expressing myself through wet paint.

This 'loose approach' was inspired by Jean Haines and a demonstration she gave on "Wet Canvas" for daisies. For weeks I've been trying to paint these cone flowers - and though I've done so many times, I haven't been fully satisfied with my results -- my brush just isn't saying what I wanted to say. So here I am again, giving it another try.

In the real painting, there is more blue in the foreground and the green isn't as chartruese as it appears in the scanned version.

I like the feel of this - but I still have a bit more to explore ....

Monday, July 05, 2010

Gardenias - White on White


Gardenias - White on White
Originally uploaded by linfrye
Daily Practice
Journal

One lone gardenia lingers on my small tree, still fragrant and evocative against small leave of vivid green. I painted this last month when the shrub was in full glory, and have been 'considering' a background for the last number of weeks. After all this time, I am still undecided, and so I have left this a 'white on white' study -- no drama, no 'pop' - merely the tender, sweet blossoms, painted more botanically than loose, with a halo of green their only decoration, a record of their blooming and enjoyment.

The grands spent the day yesterday -- busy time - and fun! How they've grown -- they truly are almost as tall as me, it seems! (not that that would be hard! LOL) We picked another bucket of blueberries, walked and ran and chased and played 'troll', made "I love you' cards, watched a movie, ate ice cream, made our plucked apples into sauce, and chased the kitties. It was fantastic to catch up with my son and his new finance, and have the day to linger with family and those we love.

The men return to work again on windows, the high temps are back, and still no rain. It's hose time again.

Have a great day!

Sunday, July 04, 2010

Happy July 4 - Red White and Blueberries

Daily Practice
Journal

HAPPY JULY 4TH!! To all the men and women who currently serve in the US military, to those who have served, to those who have honored this country and are not longer with us, especially today, the day we celebrate our Independence --

THANK YOU!!!!!! For keeping us free, for guarding our country, for keeping us strong, united and blessed.

We honor YOU today and thank you ...

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!
LET FREEDOM RING!

Red, white and blue, our country's colors - and the colors of today's fruit - a summer and July treat - and to remember this special day.

Saturday, July 03, 2010

Inspired by Queen Anne's Lace (with more deliberation)

9" x 12"
Arches 140#CP

You KNOW summer is here when the Queen Anne's Lace graces the roadsides with their white, lacy doilies. I pass clusters of these carrot-relatives and remember how one can take those dainty flower heads, dip them in a batter of flour, sugar and milk and fry them into a special treat! Their 'roots' are carrot-like and edible, but I never found one that was tender enough to consume.

But more than their edibility, I LOVE how they give the roadsides such as soft, old-fashioned look - like Grandmom's antimacassars on sofas of green.

The house is quiet today - windows are semi-done - but you'd think replacing 13 windows would bring on rain -- nope -- stubborn weather! LOL

We're planning to go to the Farmer's Market and enjoy the cooler temps we've been having .... and hopefully, get some time to paint.

Have a great Saturday!

Friday, July 02, 2010

Inspired by My Peaches


Inspired by My Peaches
Originally uploaded by linfrye
Daily Practice
Journal

Day by day the summer moves into the maturity of incredible fruits and vegetables. Our diets add more and more produce as farmer's markets, truck stands and grocers bring in the weekly harvests that summer's heat produces.

Our own garden is no exception. We've been enjoying fresh, plump blueberries, and our peach trees, once spring pink and bee-filled, now bend in half with the awesome production of ripening peaches. The limbs are so filled that they virtually lie on the ground -- creating an arch of shade for napping kitties. The deer have ignored the fruit as it is still not yet ready to pick ... but soon ... soon ...

I splashed and splattered this painting with far more deliberation than some of my other 'inspired' pieces. What I'm learning, I think, is various methods of wet into wet, edge control and a bit of abstraction that gives a work more movement and spontanaeity.

I've found a few other artists I'm trying to study to see how they obtain similar results - fun - but equally challenging. And still, moving this splash and splatter to landscapes continues to give me one heck of a time! LOL I also find that making these types of paintings takes less drawing (if any) - so I'm finding I need to return a bit to my sketching if I am ever going to get better results with a pencil ... ah, my work is cut out for me.

We're in the throes of having our windows replaced - and when I got home yesterday there were workmen crawling all over the house and property, sawing, fitting, hammering, moving window after window. They've another 4 days of work and so do we -- once they're done, it's finding new window treatments, washing curtains and drapes, and of course, windows. Not exactly what I thought I'd be doing this long weekend -- but oh how nice the windows are looking. I'm expecting the new windows to cut our energy costs significantly.

Still no rain -- sigh ...maybe I'd better find a way to wash the car to encourge the clouds ...

Have a great one!

Thursday, July 01, 2010

Inspired by Anemone Cups


Inspired by Anemone Cups
Originally uploaded by linfrye
Daily Practice
Journal

I think this painting needs another anemone cup - but that's how the splatter played. I painted this several weeks ago - and I'm posting it now as my painting attempt late last night didn't work out the way I wanted. I'm trying to learn another technique and mercy, I sure made a mess!! LOL

Back to the office today to catch up on paper and harvesting for Plant a Row for the Hungry. I also teach our volunteers to make plum preserves - but without water. The town's water supply has been contaminated, and so I hope we've enough bottled water to meet our obligations for the rest of the week ...

We had delightfully cool temperatures yesterday, but we (my garden anyway) didn't get any rain from all the cloud cover. I have to admire those grape tomatoes -- despite the heat, lack of rain, and high humidity, they are producing like rabbits! LOL But our heavy-laden peaches really need some rain to sweeten and ripen .... Ah, the vicissitudes of nature!

Have a terrific day!