O is for Olive Trees

Watercolor Journal
ABC Journal

As an outgrowth of my watercolor class I've taught this month, we all started watercolor journals to write about and sketch our heirlooms, favorite things, memories of trips, and the like. I decided to do an "ABC" journal of my favorite things and heirlooms. I'll be posting some of those pages over the next week or so.

Here, the "O" is for olive trees .. I fell in love with their aging trunks and gnarled branches while I was in Italy ... Still dream of those wonderful old trees and their stories they hold in their trunks......

Purple Cone Flowers

11 x 14 Watercolor
Arches 140#CP

My purple coneflowers are finally blooming -- it seems they've been 'on the verge' for weeks! White, pink, red - they brighten my wild wildflower garden and seem to hold up even in this week's 95F degree weather!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!

Wishing all the Dads a most wonderful and happy Father's Day!!

Barn Under the Trees

9" x 12" Watercolor
Arches 140#CP

Sitting under the shade of old oaks and listening to the peaceful sounds of cows and chickens, birds and insects, the day we painted on my neighbor's farm was sheer magic.  There was a slight breeze and although summer had begun, the day was cooler than most. 

Class participants spread across the property, each tackling a different outbuilding or perspective.

I sat across  this aging barn sketching between student questions and simply enjoyed the serenity.

I finished the painting at after class ...