Snug in the Snow

Snug in the Snow, a photo by linfrye . on Flickr.

YIPPEE!! We finally have a blanket of snow! Though the NC coast received the majority of the snow, we too were gifted with at least 2" of snow that has covered the fields, lined the trees, and closed the schools. I'm doing the happy snow dance with the kids!!!

The deep cold will keep the snow on the ground a bit longer than usual and the roads will make driving hazardous -- so prayers for those who must get out in it ....

Wiinter Helebores

Wiinter Helebores, a photo by linfrye . on Flickr.

There's something amazingly uplifting about winter flowers. They seem to defy the weather, the grey, gloomy days, the bouts of freeze, the scant sunshine. Whether grown midst the harsh conditions of this season or the protection of greenhouse warmth and watering, flowers at mid-winter seem to warm us in all the ways we need.

Cardinal in the Snow

Cardinal in the Snow, a photo by linfrye . on Flickr.

Finally -- another dusting of snow! This time the half inch sitting in the fields and roads comes with a second Arctic blast that has delayed or closed schools and businesses. Though the sun is not up yet, I can see the ice formed on my steps and my property covered in a shallow blanket of white.

Despite all the inconveniences this snow/ice will cause, I am thrilled to see it.

My Winter Sentinels

My Winter Sentinels, a photo by linfrye . on Flickr.

Watercolor
Arches 140#CP

Such crazy weather -- temperatures yesterday afternoon were close to 60F ... and so many folks were walking around with light jackets. This morning, we are having a wintry mix of rain and snow flurries ...geez. No accumulation expected, but the large fluctuations in temps are really playing havoc with everyone.

We won't have the snow blanket I keep hoping for, but it's good to see a bit of the white stuff between the rain drops.

Have a great day!

Garlic

Garlic, a photo by linfrye . on Flickr.

Watercolor
Arches 140#CP

Winter for me is the season for nesting -- for hunkering down, resting, relaxing, staying a bit closer to home. Doing so also makes me appreciate once more the little things that say 'home' to me. It's also the time when I tend to focus on the small, everyday objects that make me smile. To that end, the still life is a wonderful study of these very items.

Often my winter kitchen is filled with the scent of warm, hearty meals - especially soups and pastas -- and what would either be without the benefit of tasty garlic. That humble bulb makes a wonderful study of shapes, tones and contrasts and is a perfect still life candidate.

I sketched this watercolor in two sizes - the larger to use in my next class as a demonstration, the other, this small one, to complete as my own practice. Lots of fun, and lots of reinforcing watercolor basics ... especially those promoted by Danny Gregory in "Everyday Matters" ... It really IS the little things that made each day matter.

Have a great week!

Elm among the Birch

Elm among the Birch, a photo by linfrye . on Flickr.

Yupo Paper
Alcohol Inks


Getting back to alcohol ink paintings after a busy holiday season. I so love their spontaneity and their vivid colors!

Door Quotes

Door Quotes, a photo by linfrye . on Flickr.

Last of the door quotes using my watercolor paintings.

Doors - Week One Theme Continued

Doors - Week One Theme Continued, a photo by linfrye . on Flickr.

To continue the 'Door' Theme, I made copies of some of the doors I painted over the years, added them to cardstock, and created 'mini' doors, closed by ribbons. Behind each door, I added quotes about doors that appealed to me.

The background is textured paper glued to the journal pages.

Door Quotes

Door Quotes, a photo by linfrye . on Flickr.

This is what lies behind the doors.

2014 - A New Year - Challenge One My Home

2014 - A New Year - Challenge One My Home, a photo by linfrye . on Flickr.

Journal Pages

It's been a busy busy year for me and somewhere along the line, my intuition/prompting/sense made me realize a need to slow down a bit and return to some basics.

I've been drawn to journals of all kinds and my first dip into visual art was by journaling.
With the inner prompting I was sensing, the pull toward a bit of contemplation, and a need to return to basics such as sketching, drawing, writing, I've decided to honor these nudges.

I'll do this by spending a good amount of time this year on journaling. Sure, I'll continue painting - watercolors, alcohol ink, and a bit of mixed media as I explore these options - but I'm thinking that 2014 will be a time of inner exploration as well, a bit of art experimentation, and a return to my 'journaling/writing' roots.

With this intention, serendipity seemed to find me ... and somehow 'The Documented Life' project and challenge (see www.arttothe5th.com/ ) found its way to my desk. I've dived into this project with a new journal and a few pages ...

I've also chosen a 'word' for this month (well, at least this month; it may last longer) --- the word "Line' .. I'm enthralled with the variations of lines, calligraphy, squiggles, contours, pen and wash, and so I'll be working on the many meanings of the word 'line' and will make that part of my journal explorations.

I hope to share this journey with you as I can ... who knows where these 'lines' will lead me ...

Here's to a creative year of contemplation and exploration!

Happy 2014!

First page for week one of The Documented Life Project. Tipped into my journal.

First Page Challenge One

First Page Challenge One, a photo by linfrye . on Flickr.

Pages behind my painting .. I plan to add more writing ...