Tulips - HAPPY EASTER!

Tulips - HAPPY EASTER!, a photo by linfrye .. on Flickr.

Half Sheet - Watercolor
Arches 140#CP

Tulips, symbol of spring and perfect love, are a perfect accompaniment to this Easter holy day. Eggs, chickens, new birth, hope, joy are all part of this special time ....

May your Easter be filled with blessings, joy, love and the many gifts of the season.

Thank you for your kind comments, invitations and visit!

Splashy Sunflowers

Splashy Sunflowers, a photo by linfrye .. on Flickr.

9" x 12" Watercolor
Arches 140#CP

With the rain and cold that has also blossomed with spring flowers, it felt like the right time to splash a bit of paint and create a flower abstraction. Though my bouquet of bright sunflowers is now becoming next year's compost, they inspired me to create a somewhat different view of them ... What I love about the creative aspect of splashing large amounts of paint colors, is the resultant 'Rorschach' test of 'finding' flowers' and using negative painting to 'carve' them out of the mass of color and shapeless paint. It's a meditative kind of approach that seems to quiet me while I also have a chance to delight in the possibilities before me. Fun.

Tomorrow is our 8-county area 'Senior Games' ... a time when we 'more mature' adults participate in different activities such as basketball, tennis, arts of all kinds and more. For my first entry into this annual event, I'll merely participate in the Opening Ceremonies and Senior Walk ... but it will be a real delight to see other mature adults taking an active role in their health and well being.

Hope the rest of your week is wonderful!


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Day's End

Day's End, a photo by linfrye .... on Flickr.

10" x 13" Watercolor
Arches 140#CP

There's something magical about the ending of the day - the way the light slants and gives everything in its path a radiance that speak to me in colors that stir my senses. There's that luminous light that remains after a work or activity-filled day - promising an evening of restoration - the glow of accomplishments lingering in the liquid light.

With spring ready to be embraced, it's views like this that will sustain me as the seasons of labor replace winter’s quiet.

Happy Weekend!

Poppies for The First Day of Spring

Poppies for The First Day of Spring, a photo by linfrye .... on Flickr.

10" x 14" Watercolor
Arches 140#CP

JOYOUS SPRING!! It has arrived not only by the calendar but also in some places. However in terms of weather conditions: freezing temperatures, lack of sunshine -- and dare I say it, in another several feet of snow in some parts of the US --- spring seems months away.

Here in my part of North Carolina, Bradford pears are all abloom, daffodils and dandelions, Sweet Daphne (Daphne odora) are not only blooming, but the scent is truly heady, forsythia, saucer magnolia, plums, cherries and flowering quince ... yep, it's spring here - according to the flora.

But temperature wise -- no. Instead of those balmy days we had in January, we are getting JANUARY"S COLD !!! Apparently, the flowers and trees are going forward with the season despite the cold, rain and gray .... Go figure .. sigh ...

And at least we here can take pleasure in the marvelous colors that are bringing spring ... now ...

Have a great week!

PS This is the painting I'll teach for my Beginning Watercolor class.

Cone Flowers

Cone Flowers, a photo by linfrye .... on Flickr.

8" x 12" Watercolor
Arches 140#CP

We had the grands this weekend and the weather cooperated beautifully. Yesterday was a balmy if not HOT day with temps reaching the low 70s. We spent several hours in the park riding bikes and scooters. As the kids raced around the pavilion, I took out a small pad and sketched my surroundings. Soon, the heat of the day tired them, and they too, took up pencils to sketch the park's outbuildings. We painted sunflowers earlier that morning, and it was really delightful to see their interest.

While we've had our 'blip' of summer weather, we'll be returning to rain and cooler temps for the rest of the week. Still, even where we live, a half zone north of most of our friends, our Bradford pears are beginning to bloom, daffodils are everywhere, and bluets are in my own grasses. I love seeing these bits of color, especially on so many gray, rainy days.

Hence, the dip into summertime flowers, and the Purple Cone Flowers that brighten my front flower beds. Already their leaves are bright green and lengthening by the day. The rain we're expecting today will help nourish them into bloom, and the warming sunshine bring them to full beauty.

Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!!!! Today, everyone is Irish -- Erin go Bragh!!

Oxford Barn from the Roadside

Oxford Barn from the Roadside, a photo by linfrye .... on Flickr.

12" x 16" Watercolor
Arches 140#CP

As I travel the countryside running my errands or heading to town, I pass rural scenes like this for miles and miles. So many old barns tucked in the far side of fields with woodlands in the distance and grassy fields spotted with shrubs.These views bring me a sense of peace and well-being.

Though at this point in the seasonal clock, the fields are just being turned and the annual rye has most other fields an emerald green, it won't be long before green leaves dress the just-budding trees and tan-brown weeds turn to gold.

Have a great day!

Sunflower - Not too long now!

Sunflower - Not too long now!, a photo by linfrye .... on Flickr.

8" x 12" Watercolor
Arches 140#CP

The weather, as well as the time, has really switched to spring. With temps yesterday reaching the low 70s and beautiful sunshine, I suppose I will have to give up my hope for one last snowfall and embrace the early season.

We've had company most of the weekend, been to a seasonal yoga class, enjoyed dinner with friends .... my sweet husband brought home some sunflowers that rivaled the glow of the weekend... and their cheery brightness inspired more sunflower paintings ...

This small one is the practice for a larger work ....

Hope your week is magnificent!

Dandelion Clocks

Dandelion Clocks, a photo by linfrye .... on Flickr.

8" x 12" Watercolor
Arches 140#CP

Though snow flew for 45 minutes the other day, the dandelions have begun making their annual appearance and in many sunny instances, have already set seed and begun their plentiful propagating ... sigh ...

But, there are more ways to conquer these prolific problem plants -- EAT 'EM!

And spring is the perfect time. These tender dandelion leaves are just perfect for preparing a spring tonic. Chickweed, henbit, bittercress, wild onions are all greening my property, and I'm thinking that along with changing the clocks this weekend to daylight savings time, a collection of these tasty ephemerals -- stewed with a bit of olive oil and a bit of red pepper or made into a savory omelet -- might just be what the doctor ordered to welcome the new season.

Care to join me?!

Poppy Field

Poppy Field, a photo by linfrye .... on Flickr.

9" x 12" Watercolor
Arches 140#CP

The cold has returned with rain and even snow flurries predicted for later this week, but my watercolor class prefers to think 'spring.' I've been teaching various approaches to watercolor flowers - from experimental to more traditional. This painting was done with a more traditional approach that includes layering and positive application of paint.

I begin a new set of weekly classes today and have to admit that I am really enjoying the participants as well as the teaching. Preparations keep me mindful of the importance of basic watercolor techniques and the students keep me on my toes to explain what and why I do what I do -- fun!!

I have to admit too that when I retired I thought I'd jump right back into gardening, but I'm dragging my feet. Certainly the weather hasn't been cooperative; nonetheless, I am enjoying slinging paint a bit more these days. Maybe that'll change when the weather does. But for now -- I'm keeping those brushes wet!

Have a great week!