9" x 12"
Arches 140#CP
My thanks to Rupa Dee who kindly allowed me to paint from her wonderful capture of these plums! Please take a moment to visit her fabulous photos (http://www.flickr.com/photos/63848165@N08/)! THANk YOU Rupa Dee!
Our visit to the Farmers Market was fun and productive! Peaches, plums, tomatoes, beans, duck, buffalo meat, cheese, breads, pastries, flowers -- all were inspirational as well as a fabulous showcase of the season and the variety of farm products being grown locally! Truly amazing!
We had dinner out last night - a rare thing these days - and ate at a fabulous crab house --! Even more rare since we are several hours from the coast. We drove home through a ferocious storm -- rain, lightning that flashed like strobe lights, flooding! We had no power when we reached the house and went to bed with flashlights. The lights came on about 3 am this morning - funny how that simple turn from deep dark to light can wake you up! LOL
But we're so grateful to have had some rain! And hopefully we'll get a bit more today. I'll have to check the plants for wind damage from the storm -- but it's so good to feel WET!
Have a great day!
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Plums - THANK YOU - RupaDee
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Heating up at Eagle Lake
1/8 Sheet
Arches 140#CP
This is another colorful interpretation of Eagle Lake from Virgil Carter's class on watercolor - loose and colorful. It's been a fun class and has given me lots to think about regarding color and interpreting nature in different ways!
We're off to the Farmer's Market this morning and we're starting early to avoid the 100F heat ...
Hope you Saturday is wonderful!
PLEASE VOTE!
http://www.communitiestakeroot.com/Plant/Index/439?brand=0
Friday, July 29, 2011
The Falls at Ginter
10" x 13"
Arches 140#CP
This painting was completed several weeks ago and is from the trip we took to Lewisi Ginter Botanical Gardens in Richmond, VA. What an awesomely beautiful place! I'm posting it today for its feeling of cool--- it's already in the high 70s at 6 am, and we're expecting temperatures to reach 102F and a heat index of 110! I hope to be able to stay indoors and splash around in the paint and just stay away from such exhausting heat! We have a chance of rain for Sunday, and I"m doing my rain dance for sure! LOL
I'd like to redo this view in the 'colorful' style I"m trying to learn -- would certainly make an interesting exercise! LOL
Hope your day is wonderful. Be careful outdoors!!!
PLEASE VOTE!
http://www.communitiestakeroot.com/Plant/Index/439?brand=0
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Inspired by Sunflowers
9" x 12"
Arches 140#CP
I wanted to give another approach to my sunflower challenge - and what's more fun than splashing and splattering?!! LOL
It's already hot this morning and our harvesting for the hungry will be done quickly to get out of the sun and heat ... The high temps and poor air quality have made it very challenging to be out of doors!
Hope you have a grand, cool day! I'm dashing again ..!
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Cooling Off at Eagle Lake
1/8 Sheet
Arches 140#CP
With the temperatures returning to over 100F with matching humidity, I thought I'd post another landscape/waterscape from the Colorful Landscape class on wetcanvas. My intention here was to create a cool, quiet mood -
Our class is almost over and it has been very informative and fun, well-paced and filled with new ideas to try and incorporate into my everyday paintings. THANK YOU Virgil and participants!
Today is more readying for classes that will start in about three weeks. New programs, new lectures, orders to place and more -- another semester begins!
Stay cool today!
PLEASE VOTE!
http://www.communitiestakeroot.com/Plant/Index/439?brand=0
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Lighthouse in Color
1/8 Sheet
Arches 140#CP
This painting is another from the Wet Canvas class conducted by Virgil Carter. I thought after yesterday's heat, I'd post something a bit cooler! LOL The goal of this workshop is to learn to paint loosely and more colorfully - and for me, painting buildings has always been a challenge. I am learning, though not yet where I'd like to be with them, to soften those hard edges a bit, and color variation certainly helps.
I sure wish I were at that beach though --that cooling water, even with a hot sun, would be mighty welcome.
We got a bit of a shower last night - nothing much - far less than 1/4" of rain, but we're glad to at least have some moisture return to the baked soil. I've still got my fingers crossed that I will finally put my toes into the Atlantic before long .....
It's a dash back to the office today ...
Stay cool and safe from those thunderstorms! and thank you for continuing to support the Arboretum and the hungry through your votes!
PLEASE VOTE!
http://www.communitiestakeroot.com/Plant/Index/439?brand=0
Monday, July 25, 2011
THE SUMMER HEAT
1/8 Sheet
Arches 140#CP
IT'S HOT! IT'S UNRELENTING! There are storms and pop-up storms, winds, hail, thunder, lightning and RAIN everywhere around me -- but still no rain in sight for our town ... sigh .. I wanted to paint something cool and comfy - but just couldn't find enough of that to dream! LOL So instead -- it's the heat, and the sun, and we've several more months of this before temps break.
The newcasters talk about folks having cabin fever -- it's too hot to venture outdoors for long or do anything that we typically do in the summer .. and though that bright sunshine compels us toward the out of doors, the intense heat and humidity drive us back to the breathing and cooling comfort of air conditioning. These days lately make me feel as though I've been grounded and confined to my room! Sure hope those rain dances we've been doing also bring a bit of temperature relief!
Prayers go out to those suffering a different, heart-breakingly sad loss in Norway ... thinking of them today especially ....
Stay cool, stay hope-filled.
PLEASE VOTE!
www.communitiestakeroot.com/Plant/Index/439?brand=0
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Sunflower Challenge
10" x 13"
Arches140#CP
I finally had a chance to paint my own challenge! LOL This is from a photo I took of a field of sunflowers (http://www.flickr.com/photos/linfrye/5944997230/in/photostream). I wanted to focus on the one sunflower and sky and suggest the others in the field. Fun!
I spent the day on watercolor lessons from wetcanvas - again revisiting, mostly unsuccessfully, perspective ... but it's a lesson I need to learn and so will continue until I 'get it!' LOL
No rain here, but pop up storms around the state. I'm doing my rain dance before all my flowers shrivel!
Stay cool!
PLEASE VOTE!
http://www.communitiestakeroot.com/Plant/Index/439?brand=0
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Inspired by Lisianthus
9" x 12"
Arches 140#CP
In real life, this has a bit more yellow than is showing -- but with the intense, stiffling, awful heat this week, I wanted to paint with cool colors -- purples and blues to THINK about cooler weather.
This was another splash and splatter - focusing a bit more on keeping more whites - and using the blues and purples against their compliments ...
I'm working through additional lessons on the wetcanvas site with Virgil Carter. We're working on perspectives ... my nemesis ... flowers are so much more forgiving than buildings! LOL
I've been staying indoors to avoid the heat - only venturing outside to water the suffering plants. I came home to find so many of my beloved flowers shriveled and spent ... sigh ...
Take care of yourselves today -- stay cool!
Friday, July 22, 2011
Our Orchard Project
I've tried to upload this video -- but couldn't find a way -- Please check it out ...
www2.nbc17.com/news/2011/jul/21/johnston-community-colleg...
Our Plant a Row for the Hungry volunteers were interviewed yesterday about our orchard project ... Your daily votes have helped us reach #7 - nationally -- and the campaign to win fruit trees and berry plants continues through August.
Please continue to support us as we work to feed the hungry in our community ...
PS -- I'm the lady in green with the band on her arm!
PLEASE VOTE!
www.communitiestakeroot.com/Plant/Index/439?brand=0
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Lily
9" x 12"
Arches 140#CP
Busy, late, tiring, hot day yesterday - but fun! We got home 2 hours later than expected in the midst of a rainstorm that seemed to settle over the Arboretum -- and hardly anywhere else. We had several roads flooded, power was out, and we waded through several deep puddles to get everyone to their cars. We were thrilled with the 1.5 inches of rain - but it seemed to fall at the moment we returned! LOL
This morning our volunteers return and not only do we harvest, but we have a jam-session -- fruit and berries are in and they've asked for jam-making instruction - so we'll have a long class following harvesting.
It'll be a while before I can catch up with everyone ---
Stay cool today -- we have another HOT one! And thank you for voting!!! We're now #7!!
http://www.communitiestakeroot.com/Plant/Index/439?brand=0
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Landscape in Contrasts
1/8 Sheet
Arches 140#CP
This is another landscape from Virgil Carter's landscape class and based on the same view of a pond near my home. My intent here was to use contrasts and so while this is 'green' in some areas, I used yellow and Payne's grey - they made a neat green--- fun.
We're off with guests today on a tour of area potteries. While we as gardeners try our best to amend the clay soils around our homes in order to better grow plants, the talented potters in our area use the clay for some of the most wonderful vessels ---!!
I'll be gone until late this evening - so I'll catch up with everyone tomorrow! It's going to be brutally HOT -- stay safe and cool!
PLEASE VOTE!
http://www.communitiestakeroot.com/Plant/Index/439?brand=0
Landscape in Contrasts
1/8 Sheet
Arches 140#CP
This is another landscape from Virgil Carter's landscape class and based on the same view of a pond near my home. My intent here was to use contrasts and so while this is 'green' in some areas, I used yellow and Payne's grey - they made a neat green--- fun.
We're off with guests today on a tour of area potteries. While we as gardeners try our best to amend the clay soils around our homes in order to better grow plants, the talented potters in our area use the clay for some of the most wonderful vessels ---!!
I'll be gone until late this evening - so I'll catch up with everyone tomorrow! It's going to be brutally HOT -- stay safe and cool!
PLEASE VOTE!
http://www.communitiestakeroot.com/Plant/Index/439?brand=0
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Blue Poppy
1/4 Sheet
Arches 140#CP
In the blaze of summer temperatures and blinding sunlight, so many flowers in my garden respond in briliant colors of red, yellow and orange. But that same heat has me longing for things cooler and quieter. Blue flowers in a garden seem to quiet me down, cool me off a bit and give the eye a needed rest. While my garden doesn't sport blue poppies ... I find myself drawn to them in photographs and dreams ...
We are still in need of rain and the week's intense heat will hit us harder tomorrow through the weekend. I'll really begin dreaming of cool blues and water! LOL
Hope your day is terrific!
Monday, July 18, 2011
Watery Reflections
1/8 Sheet
Arches 140#CP
Our short respite from the summer heat is above over and we're expecting temps and humidity to rise to the high 90s and 100s ... The changes already have me pining for the relief of cool water ....
We've about finished with the last round of fruit preservation and it's another week of classes and meetings.
Stay cool and have a great week ...!
PLEASE VOTE!
http://www.communitiestakeroot.com/Plant/Index/439?brand=0
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Lavender Fields by the Light of the Moon
9" x 12"
Arches 140#CP
In real life, this image is not as intense as it is on my screen (still having scanner issues) - but it, like the other landscapes in the series - is based on lessons from Virgil Carter who is conducting the "Loose and Colorful Landscape' class on Wetcanvas.
I must say his influence is making me rethink my approach to landscapes and I'm delighted. The struggle, as always when learning new things, is to get those changes 'ingrained' somehow so that they become more 'natural and spontaneous.' I have to admit I'm not there yet - but perhaps in a few months ... Still, I am enjoying the class and wish to publicly thank Virgil for his fine instruction and encouragement!
I got more fruit processed yesterday and finally gave all my fruit trees and plants a good, deep soaking. They needed it - but mercy it took a long time! We've been blessed with a bit of cooler temps - only in the mid 80s low 90s! with little humidity -- and what a joy it has been! The air has been as clear as it is during the fall - no summer haze -- and what a welcome relief. It'll be short-lived though, with temps expected to reach 100F next week. Oh well, enjoy it while we can!
Hope your Sunday is restive!
Saturday, July 16, 2011
The lone red among the yellows
Oxford, NC
My dear husband found this field of sunflowers and was kind enough to bring me this evening to take photographs.
I think it's time to paint more sunflowers!
Field of Sunflowers
Oxford, NC
My dear husband found this field of sunflowers and was kind enough to bring me this evening to take photographs.
I think it's time to paint more sunflowers!
Sunflowers
Oxford, NC
My dear husband found this field of sunflowers and was kind enough to bring me this evening to take photographs.
I think it's time to paint more sunflowers!
Sunflower 1
Oxford, NC
My dear husband found this field of sunflowers and was kind enough to bring me this evening to take photographs.
I think it's time to paint more sunflowers!
Sunflower 2
Oxford, NC
My dear husband found this field of sunflowers and was kind enough to bring me this evening to take photographs.
I think it's time to paint more sunflowers!
Summer
9" x 12"
Arches 140#CP
I am thoroughly enjoying Virgil Carter's 'Colorful and Loose' Landscape class. This painting, done earlier in somewhat different colors and smaller, comes from lessons taught in the class. The view is of a farm and pond (barely seen in front of the back trees) is one I pass every time I head into town. The morning I captured this view, the light was bright and the heat of the day was just beginning to descend. I used my practice pieces from Virgil's class to inform this work, changing the major shapes a bit and 'heating' up the colors.
I finished two batches of peach jam yesterday, sprayed those pesky weeds, and began the weekend watering. More of same today! LOL
Hope your weekend is terrific!
PLEASE VOTE!
http://www.communitiestakeroot.com/Plant/Index/439?brand=0
Friday, July 15, 2011
Plums - THANK YOU BARBARA!
9" x 12"
Arches140#CP
My thanks to my friend Barbara (http://www.flickr.com/photos/from_barbs_garden_and_beyond/with/5939433506/) who kindly allowed me to use one of her magnificent photographs to paint these bright plums! THANK YOU BARB! Please take a moment to view her incredible photos!!!
Finally home and another list of chores ahead of me. My visit to the farmer's market has my task list growing by leaps and bounds! The plums, peaches, corn and vegetables are all coming in strong ... and, like every visit to the market, the colors, scents, tastes and displays are irresistable! So, there's drying and jam-making, and eating, and freezing ....
And, my garden is screaming for water, and I'm screaming at those weeds!!! So it's time to dig in and get it done!
Hope your Friday is cool and comfy ---! Thank you again, Barb!
PLEASE VOTE!
http://www.communitiestakeroot.com/Plant/Index/439?brand=0
Thursday, July 14, 2011
To the Mountains
9" x 12"
Arches 140#CP
Wishing for coolness and the leisure of vaction .... if I can't have it in real life, painting is the only way I know to dream with a bit more substance! lol
Finally got home early enough last night to get a decent night's rest.
We harvest again today and the voting continues for the Arboretum Orchard. We've moved up to 8th place-- so please continue to vote!!! THANKS!
PLEASE VOTE!
http://www.communitiestakeroot.com/Plant/Index/439?brand=0
Off to ready for food collection and volunteers!
Have a great day!
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Bottle Brush Practice with Grands
1/8 Sheet
Arches 140#CP
Another dip into the archives ... I sketched this bottlebrush flower months ago when I visited my granddaughters -- I was asked to paint 'flowers' -- and so this practice piece was the result.
Meetings were back-to-back and into the late evening last night -- I only had time to touch up a larger work I brought from home ... maybe tonight will be a bit more leisurely!
Temps did reach 100F yesterday -- and we're heading for the same heat and humidity today. The air is thick and hard to breathe and we're under heat advisories. Most of us are finding work to do indoors ...
We're hoping for some rain to cool things down and resuscitate the plants - and us!
Stay cool!
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Landscape in Cool Colors
1/8 Sheet
Arhes 140#CP
This quick practice sketch is part of the Landscape Class being taught by Virgil Carter on Wet Canvas. The idea here is to use cool colors and colorful blends.
I've a week filled with meetings including four today that won't end before 9 pm -- so I'll be scarce.
We're under a heat advisory with heat indices of 105-110F ... mighty miserable. I'm thinking, if I have a chance at all to paint -- it might have to be snow -- something to cool off! LOL
Have a terrific day -- stay cool, too!
Monday, July 11, 2011
Flowers - THANK YOU ERNESTO!
10" x 13"
Arches 140#CP
In real life, these white flowers have more cobalt violet in them than 'pink'. The painting is based on a wonderful photograph from my friend Ernesto who kindly allowed me to use his photograph. Please take a moment to view his marvelous work (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vilageron/).THANK YOU Ernesto!
The weekend was as busy as I was expecting so I'll be trying to get more painting done this week. Hopefully things will be a bit slower at work than they've been at home! LOL
Temperatures continue to climb along with the humidity and I find it most comfortable to be outdoors early morning or late afternoon, but the poor plants who can't move out of the sun, are really beginning to take a beating ...
Hope your week is great! And thank you for continuing to vote!
PLEASE VOTE!
http://www.communitiestakeroot.com/Plant/Index/439?brand=0
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Farmers Market Sunflowers
1/8 Sheet
Arches 140#CP
I reallly LOVE being home - even those weekends that are so filled with obligations and chores. I did manage to get a good deal done before our company and grands arrive in five hours - but the leisure to paint is something I still crave!! LOL I'm working on a larger piece and hope to get it completed before heading back to work in the morning.
This explosive splash and splatter is my response to the INCREDIBLE sunflowers we saw at the farmer's market last week! Oh my! The variations, sizes, shapes, even the shades of yellow -- absolutely DAZZLING! and my property has nary a one!!! I am just going to have to plant some next year -- !
I was just listening to NPR this morning about a woman in CA who 'dumpster dives' for plants - all that tossed away plant material that retailers don't want to nurse back to health or which don't meet the 'standard' to sell. She's rescued HUNDREDS of plants ... from roses to kale! Now THAT"S something to think about! LOL And I thought I was being smart replanting flowers and veggies from my compost pile!! LOL
Got to get going this morning ... have a sunshiney day!
Saturday, July 09, 2011
Trees and Queen Anne's Lace
1/8 Sheet
Arches 140#CP
I've been working with the landscape lessons being taught by Virgil Carter on www.wetcanvas.com (the learning channel) to loosen up my landscapes. On the way to run some errrands yesterday, I passed this scene and those light barked trees against the dark foliage and Queen Anne's Lace instantly captivated me. I didn't have my camera with me, so I used my smart phone .. I had passed this same view en route to work last week, but couldn't spare the time to snap a photo. I was so glad to do so yesterday!
Though the day was stormy and overcast, I wanted to create a loose landscape in summery colors. There is a pond behind these trees and I've given a hint of it on the right. This was one of my practice pieces, and I've repainted it twice in larger sizes and a few more colorful views ... I'll post those later this week.
I was able to cross off quite a number of 'musts' yesterday, so I should have a bit more time for painting today.
We've had afternoon showers -- really hard falling rain in short durations - but any water is appreciated!
Hope you have a terrific Saturday!
Landscape Practice - Virgil Carter
1/8 Sheet
Arches 140#CP
Another focus using the same landscape reference - this time with a mid-toned foreground, brighter blends on the trees (dark value) and the center of interest in lighter tones by bright colors.
The class is wonderful!!!
Landscape Practice - Virgil Carter
1/8 Sheet
Arches 140#CP
This is from a photo reference provided by Virgil to teach us about dominance - color, value, edges, etc. I painted this with a focus on a dark foreground.
Friday, July 08, 2011
Playing Loose with Roses
1/8 Sheet
Arches 140#CP
Another piece from my archives (which are fast dwindling! LOL). I was playing with wet into wet here and working to loosen edges while retaining some vibrancy ... A quick work and some interesting effects.
I returned home late last night and began on some homework from an online class with Virgil Carter (www.wetcanvas.com) - in the watercolor learning channel. Virgil is teaching how to create loose, juicy landscapes and I'm interested in learning some additional approaches to a subject I love. By the time I got home and did a few quick homework pieces, there was little time for a series painting ... hopefully this weekend!
Charles has his jam on Sunday and the rendering of fruit into preserves, jams, dried pieces, and more has begun. I picked several quarts of blueberries form our shrubs late last night, and more fruit awaits me. The figs are just about to come in, and my dear husband has found my favorite fruit of all -- persimmons. The kitchen counters are weighed down with 'get done's!' LOL With only 3 days before having to return to work and company coming on Sunday, it's going to be another chore-filled weekend -
We've had thunderstorms around us yesterday, but no more rain .. still, the forecast is for potential rain and we have our fingers crossed.
Hope you have a great weekend!
PLEASE VOTE!
http://www.communitiestakeroot.com/Plant/Index/439?brand=0
Thursday, July 07, 2011
Pastel Hydrangea
9" x 12"
Arches 140#CP
Yes, I am really loving flowers this summer - and despite the lack of rain - (not counting the torrential storms we've been having this week) my hydrangeas, and those of the Arboretum, and still shining brightly!
These pinky ones are from the Arboretum, with soil that is far more alkaline than mine at home. Still, there are patches of hydrangeas on the property that are more blue than pink - and some, like this, a wonderful combination of both.
Our trip to Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens in Richmond, VA was FABULOUS!!!! We got caught in rain going up, thunder, lightning and blinding rain on the way back, BUT we were graced with 2 1/2 hours of cool, overcast weather and no rain - enough time to see the magnificent displays, children's gardens, medicinal gardens, conservatory, statuary, roses, a children's castle with a panarama of the gardens, a luscious lunch, a gift shop that dwarfs our entire office space, and much more!!!! The three-hours of travel each way seemed to fly with all the chatter and laughter of the group, and our driver could not have done a more safe and wonderful job.
We got back late last night to another storm, but with less than 1/8" of rain in total. More storms are predicted today and tomorrow.
Our volunteers arrive shortly to harvest before another rain so I'm off for the morning ....
Also, the competition for the orchards is nearing the end, and the race for the top ten spots is neck-in-neck. Please help us continue to remain in the top group! THANKS so much!
PLEASE VOTE!
http://www.communitiestakeroot.com/Plant/Index/439?brand=0
Wednesday, July 06, 2011
Eno River Coolness
9" x 12"
Arches 140#CP
Finding a respite of coolness in this summer heat and humidity can be as challenging as some of the hiking trails along the Eno River. This view of the river was taken in early spring, and I used it to think about the relief of the river when it's far less hot than it has been this summer. The Eno River is symbolic to C and I since that park is where we were married almost 19 years ago.
We're off to another botanical garden with a group of Arboretum guests. It'll be a long trip - a three hour drive to Viriginia and back plus time to explore the gardens. I'll be gone until late ... hope to catch up with everyone tomorrow!
Meanwhile -- stay cool!
Tuesday, July 05, 2011
Zinnias from the Farmers Market
9" x 12"
Arches 140#CP
The vendors at the Durham Farmer's Market are so varied - from bison meat to herbs to flowers to cheese to fruits and vegetables, ducks, chickens, cooking demos, music, crafts - a visit to the market is a fun, entertaining, learning experience. These zinnias were grown by one such vendor - I had to take a photograph - their stall was busy and even getting close enough to take a photo was difficult! LOL Not only were the flowers fresh - but the arrangements were beautifully done. I LOVE the pinks and purples that seemed to be reflected in each of these flowers.
We wound up taking home far more than we had planned - corn, bison to try (like beef but not as rich in our opinon), melons (already in the dehydrator), cheese and bread. I had to forego the flowers - by the time we filled our bags - our wallets were empty! LOL
The 4th was a quiet celebration for us - putting up food, a quiet dinner, a movie. The humidity and heat were far too high for us, so we couldn't get to outdoor tasks until later in the day - and just before the thunderstorm and much needed rain.
It'll be a busy week at work since so many folks have taken this week as vacation ... We're expected rain each day - and for all of us who garden or farm - we are doing the happy rain dance!
Hope you have a great week - and don't forget to vote!
PLEASE VOTE!
http://www.communitiestakeroot.com/Plant/Index/439?brand=0
Monday, July 04, 2011
Blueberries - HAPPY JULY 4TH!
9" x 12"
Arches 140#CP
Red, White and Blue-Berries --- HAPPY JULY 4TH - U.S. INDEPENDENCE DAY!
Picnics, BBQs, fireworks, family get togethers, patriotism, celebrations all mark our country's celebration of the independence we hold most dear. We cover the day in red, white and blue, colors of our country's flag - the symbol of our freedom.
My blueberries seem to ripen just in time for the holiday - in varying pinks (aka red), light whitish green (white), and the ripened blue - and though not very flaglike - still remind me of the specialness of this particular day.
I offer a sincere and humble thank you to those men and women who serve or have served in our military - It it YOU we thank for keeping our country free ... Blessings for your sacrifice.
God Bless America and those who work for our continued freedom!
HAPPY JULY 4!
Sunday, July 03, 2011
Queen Annes Lace
1/8 Sheet
Arches 140#CP
This was one of those 'let me give this a quick attempt' practice pieces that I liked more than some of my more studied approaches. It seems that these wonderful flowers are at the height of their blooming. On the way to the Farmers Market yesterday, we passed by fields and fields of them - and even the highest temperatures and lack of rain can't seem to wither their bright, lacy blooms!
Oh my gracious -- the market yesterday was packed! It was as though everyone was shopping for the holiday weekend, and bags and bags of produce, fruit, flowers weighed down each customer. Musicians played old-fashioned tunes as we shopped. We came home with our own 'box' of goodies. The cantaloupes were such a rich, juicy, sweet orange, that I've already got a dehydrator filled with fruit drying for the winter. The goat cheese and crackers will be our evening snack, and I took some wonderful photos of the most amazing sunflowers and zinnias ....
We never did get to some of those pesky chores - so today, without fail, they'll need to be done. Sigh.
Hope your day is relaxing!!!
Saturday, July 02, 2011
Fog on the Mountain
9" x 12"
Arches 140#CP
In real life, the painting isn't as intense as I view it from my computer screen, but as always with scanning or photographing artwork with particular colors, it's difficult to get accuracy ...
Still, my attempt here was to loosen up and play a bit with landscapes. I am enjoying the direction my flowers are going - loose and yet detailed, splatters and drips -- but I haven't quite figured out how to bring those things into landscapes on a consistent basis. For this painting, I began wet into wet for the top of the mountains, and then let the paint flow down the page, spraying water away to create the fog. I added more paint for texture and then the foreground ...The results are closer to what was in my mind ....
The Arboretum has made it to the last two rounds for our hoped-for orchard! That means if we keep voting and remain in the top 10 winners circle, we'll received our fruit trees for the hungry. Thank YOU for helping get us this far -- please, please continue to vote -- THANKS so much!
PLEASE VOTE!
http://www.communitiestakeroot.com/Plant/Index/439?brand=0
We're off to the Farmer's Market this morning and again some finish some chores before painting again -- I'd love to spend more time experimenting with paint -- fingers crossed!
Have a great day!
Friday, July 01, 2011
Dreaming of Quiet Sunrises
1/8 Sheet
Arches 140#CP
A quick exercise to finish the day last night in a hope for those quiet sunrises of summer. I've tried to stay loose and simple, wet into wet, and yet with enough detail and atmosphere to prompt dreams of quiet summery days ...
There are some chores to get behind me before the holiday weekend can 'begin' .... and the temps are expected to reach the high 90sF so we'll have to keep an eye on the garden and be certain those ripening vegetables receive the moisture and cooling down they need to mature.
The sun has not quite risen as I write; dew dribbles down the skylights and already the kitties have scratched at the door for breakfast. It amazes me how keen their hearing - they seem to appear the moment the coffee pot perks!
Have a great day!
PLEASE VOTE!
http://www.communitiestakeroot.com/Plant/Index/439?brand=0