Lenten Roses and Snowdrops

Journal


Found such beautiful Lenten Roses and Snowdrops at Duke Gardens ...
Dinner with the girls before two of them head to Costa Rica - Always such fun, laughter and great food!

Bud Break

Journal -

In the early morning light, the sun breaks thru the clouds and lights the woodlands, revealing a haze of bud break on the maples and hickories. Long shadows fall on damp soil... spring peepers announce the new Season.

Splash and Splatter Pansies

An absolutely gorgeous day yesterday!  Temperatures in the high 60s, bright sunshine, and the feeling that spring really was on its way.  The parks were filled with people -- some even in shorts!
The hardy pansies, crocus and tiny daffodils made it through the coldest temperatures, ice and snow -- and such a cheerful sight for all of us!

Petunias

Journal ---

I've really enjoyed the snow and the winter hibernation, but the cold -- yep, tired of it .. so painting some warmth ...

Red Barns in Snow

Journal ..

We're on a real roller coaster of weather this week. After 9" of snow, ice, sleet, we had a warm up to mid 50s yesterday, melting most of the snow.  Then today, back in the 30s, tomorrow -- 70!! and then snow flurries Thursday. Sure plays havoc on the joints as well as the plants!


I decided to try something a bit different - a bit more sketching and less watercolor.  I love the look of that style and admire the folks here who do that so well ... I used one of my snow photos to give this a try ...

9 Inches of Snow!

Journal

Crazy day yesterday with over 9" of snow ... so beautiful ... but couldn't relax with the power on, then out for hours ... thank heavens it was restored late afternoon.  Did manage to keep warm by shoveling snow a bit, and while we had a bit of power in the morning, managed to sketch the view of our sideyard before my tracks disturbed the cushion of white.

Snow 2 24 15

Journal --

My front yard yesterday -- covered in snow. We're in for another few inches tonight ..... The ornamental grasses, pines and birches giving bits of color in the grey. The plunge back to freezing weather killed all the blooms on my Prunus mume (flowering apricot) ... I hope the fig trees survive ...

Petunias and Nasturtium

Journal -

Petunias and Nasturtiums -  After four days of iced in conditions and arctic temperatures, I REALLY had a need for color.  Found this cheery image on Wetcanvas.com and warmed myself by painting it this morning.  We are weeks away from petunias and nasturtiums.

30 Minute White Out

Journal -

A 30 minute white-out that followed our brief snowfall this week.  I could hardly see the trees near my house.  Then a drop in the temps -- 4F this morning.


After our short snow storm early this week which turned to sleet after 90 minutes, then sleet turned to freezing rain. I was able to clear the stairs yesterday, put another light in the cathouse on the porch for additional warmth -- but my long driveway is an ice rink --- our gravel road --- ice chunks, and our paved road hasn't been touched .... As long as the power holds, I'm okay ..... schools closed again as most businesses.

Here in piedmont NC we are not used to any of this ... so the few plows we have get the main roads ... and since we live 4 miles from the main road, we usually have to wait for a warm up or someone with a tractor and private plow before we can get out. We're supposed to have rain and warmer temps on Sunday ... thank heavens we stocked up on everything before the storm.

Snow - Sleet - ICE!

Journal --

Did the small happy dance as it snowed last night -- but dance cut short when our brief snow turned to sleet and then to ice ...As the sun came up this morning, EVERYTHING is coated in ice - porch, steps, driveway, the tertiary road we live on ... we are ICED in like frozen food.
I painted this from our January snow -- as there is not a drop of snow on any of the trees -- just that worrisome ice.  It's 17F this morning ....COLD!

Rose Hips

Journal - Rose Hips

Crazy crazy weather!  Yesterday was a balmy 45F filled with sunshine - and though the wind was cold and sent a chill -- it was a good day to get in a walk.  This morning, our 7F and brief snowfall with howling winds made any thought of spring fly from our minds.  We have snow in the forecast next week and bitter temps all week.  I know my friends will hate me for doing the happy snow dance -- but, despite the early spring flowers we viewed yesterday, I am so glad to see a bit more snow!

Carnations - Happy Valentine's Day

Journal-

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY - More from my bouquet ...

Snow Day on the River Tar

Journal -

The River Tar on Snow Day. Temps have dropped here and though we've had clouds and bits of rain, no snow in the forecast. Our own version of the groundhog prediction suggests that spring is around the corner. Still, at 30F this morning, I find that hard to believe and continue to hope for at least one more snowfall.

Red Geraniums

Journal -- I love the cheerfulness of red geraniums -- they remind me of all those I've seen throughout Italy -- windows, pots, cascading from walls ... We won't be able to grow any for a few more months ... but spring is coming ....

Blackie - RIP

Journal --

Though I sketched this in 2008, I immediately thought of posting it again as we had to put down my sweet Blackie yesterday. She was a spunky, independent little thing, looking more like a lynx than a cat. Of her 4 other littermates, she was the most skittish ... but every once in a while, she'd honor you by rubbing your leg or letting you give her a quick pet. She came home this weekend with an aggressive tumor along with FIV.... We will all miss seeing her sleek body streaking through the woods and nesting with her siblings each night. Rest in Peace, Blackie.

Snow Day

     

Journal - Snowfall -- our brief foray into snow.

It snowed here last Tuesday -- a brief, maybe 1/4" of snow that covered my property in a quiet blanket of white. I remember waking up utterly delighted to FINALLY have a bit of the white stuff -- not the FEET of snow that had befallen the Northeast US, but a wonderful dusting that just coated trees and fields.

I had to leave the house for a dental appointment -- about 9 miles away. While driving there, I stopped and took photos. I had traveled about 4 miles -- when the snow completely disappeared. I mean GONE! Not a damp piece of soil anywhere!

Apparently the snow line was mighty narrow -- and the band of white was a mere few miles across. I was so glad for the photos I captured or I would have thought I dreamed up the entire scene! This old building is 2 miles from my home, captured just before the snow melted.

Art Exhibition - Oxford, NC - By Students of Lin Frye

Classes take place at the Oxford, NC Senior Center. Upcoming classes:

February: Time for Tea (for participants with watercolor experience)
March: Tired of the Weather - Armchair Travel(for participants with watercolor experience)
March - Beginning Watercolor (for participants who wish to learn watercolor techniques and methods)
...

Please email me if you are interested.
Hope to see you on February 5!

For Emily - Sundown

I painted this for Christmas as requested by my granddaughter.  With all the rain and snow in the forecast, I thought I'd share it to warm us up!

Primula

SBS Boot Kamp #3  jOURNAL

Assignment was to use juicy colors and start with a wash of yellow.  To my yellow wash, I added green and Antwerp Blue.   I then turned the wash into yellow Primulas.

A Nature Walk

I've been participating in an Artist Journal Workshop Challenge where we are challenged to paint a particular subject for 30 days.  This day's challenge was to take a nature walk and sketch our 'findings.'  Since I live in a woodland setting, finding nature items is rarely a problem.  With all the grey, brown, and sepia around me, I focused this walk on finding 'color.'  And found a bit of red, green and raw sienna ... FUN!

Old Tree In Winter

Journal

Our temperatures have plunged well below freezing -- and though there is no snow in our forecast, the frigid cold has me dreaming of that white stuff.

Needing Color

Journal

Several days of rainy dreary days have me yearning for color. I found an image of flowers in my stash, and decided to play with some bright paints and splashing.

Oxford Winter Farm View

Journal - first sketch of 2015 - Oxford Winter Farm

I did this yesterday before our day of traditions began ...  It's from a photo of one of the farms we pass during our walks at the Granville Athletic Park. 

The day started with this sketch, followed by yoga and snacks at a friend's house, followed by appetizers and dinner and dessert at our home, and journal writing of our hopes for 2015.  We ended the day with a walk at the GAP and well wishes for a wonderful year.  So good to begin the year with people one loves.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2015!!

Journal

Wishing you and yours a prosperous, healthful, joyous and creative New Year!

Here's to being more loving, more present, more attentive, more considerate, caring and more compassionate with one another!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Bridge Over Sad Waters

Journal

We lost my former father-in-law yesterday ... an especially sad time for my children. He was very good to me and we remained friends even after his son and I ended our marriage.

I painted this to cheer myself and didn't realize the symbolism until after it was finished.

May he rest in peace.

Light

 
Journal

Rain --- again.

This time of year the evening hours seem darker and deeper and colder ...

The need for light grows strong, and I crave candles, firelight and all things bright against the dark ... and the cold.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

WISHING YOU AND YOURS A MOST JOYOUS CHRISTMAS!!

From the Nativity

Journal

Rain still pelting the windows and flooding the streets .. sure do wish it were snow instead.

These figurines are from my mom's antique Nativity scene ... they're chipped and aged and worn with the years -- and though I have newer versions, I love the tie to family and holiday they represent.

Merry Christmas!

Wishing for Snow

It's raining again -- so I'm turning the rain to snow -- at least on my page!!! 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Future Sketch Artists

My daughter and her family celebrated Christmas with us this weekend during their visit. I had created individualized sketch journals for each of the grandchildren ... You can see by these images -- they loved them ...! And the ten and six year olds already completed several pages! My youngest granddaughter told me that she sketched people so well because 'She was 'almost' an artist'!" Maybe she'll feel like a 'real artist' by the time she's six and a half !!! LOL


From Taylor, age 10

And from my "Almost an Artist" 6 year old granddaughter:

First Snow!

Journal

My daughter's family is visiting and we're celebrating Christmas this weekend with her family and my two youngest granddaughters. We invited their two older cousins (my son's) to stay with us for a rollicking COUSIN time! Imagine the bliss yesterday morning when we awoke to unexpected SNOW FLURRIES!! The kids donned jackets and gloves and ran around the property trying to catch snowflakes on their tongues!

A Confectionery Blessing to our Celebrations!

Nandina

Journal

A quick sketch as I waited for our weekend company!  The holiday celebrations have begun!

Fall Barn

Overcast and rainy today -- a perfect day to stay inside and prepare holiday cookies. Thought I would warm up a bit with this memory of August ...

Let It Snow!!

Journal

Though sunshine and temperatures in the 50s make snow impossible, whenever I use these salt and pepper shakers, I can pretend we're all surrounded by SNOW!

Wishful thinking!

Smelts

Journal

Though yesterday began with frost on the fields, it turned into a beautiful day - sunshine and in the low 60s! I went into Raleigh to pick up some paintings, have lunch with a friend, and do some holiday grocery shopping. What a joy it was to find fresh SMELTS! This cold water fish is a family tradition - though it's very challenging to find them in my part of North Carolina except once in a while during the holidays. I bought all they had on display .. and will fry these into golden 'chips' for my family's Christmas Eve dinner.

That meal will be even more special this year with memories AND food!

Pepper

Sketchbook Skool -
Pepper

Sketch of my cat, Pepper, in his 'half asleep' eye look .. resting in his bed under my art table.  Yes, he's a BIG boy -- almost 20 pounds of muscle!

A Page from my Journal

November 30 
A page from my journal -

An absolutely gorgeous day yesterday - sunshine and warm. A walk at the GAP - pines and this marsh elder - the colors we see. Lots of walkers and joggers. A simple pizza for dinner.


I really am enjoying my journal sketching and writing time. I began sketching and painting nine years ago but keeping such a journal was neglected over the years I focused on painting. Journaling has been a really good 'return' for me.

It's been wonderful, too, to have that bit of quiet time spent on reflection and contemplation without thought of perfect paintings, matting and framing. Good skill practice too.

I'm still painting for the classes I teach, gifts, and sales, but these journals are what they first were to me - a place to think, dream, meditate, reflect, practice, plan.

It's like filling the well ...

Ornamental Grasses

Double Meandering Journal


There is frost now in the mornings, and often the cat's water bowl is frozen.  From my office window I can now see the sunrise through the bare trees -- but the colors are gone save for the beech, pines and the feathery plumes of my ornamental grasses.

Our days will  now be focused on the holidays - a different season of busyness.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Winter Barn and Birches

No, no snow here - yet -- just freezing temperatures and rain.  Though we still have a few leaves on the trees, since the 'Arctic Blast' hit us last week, most of those leaves have browned, and the once dense woodlands are opening to revel a tangle of incredible arboreal architecture.

This painting was a done as demo for the watercolor class I taught this month.

My Backyard -- a few days ago

 
BRRR!!! FREEZING outside!! What a difference from when I painted this. The leaves have turned brown almost over night (25F after 75F temps)...no wonder! On the way to Raleigh yesterday to participate in Art of the Carolinas -- we had a bit of SNOW flurries -- LIGHT, AIRY flakes mixed with misty rain -- but yep, it was snow.

Hate to see this colorful display end ...

SBS - A Walk Into Fall - Last few pages

SBS - Last few pages of "A Walk Into Fall" ... I've really enjoyed this trip!!! (and yes, I've misspelled sorghum again! LOL)  I"m embracing my imperfections!!

Pages Two and Three in "My Walk Into Fall"

I am very much enjoying my "Walk Into Fall' and creating these pages for the last session of "Storytelling' Sketchbook Skool.  FUN!


More to come!

Page 1 Walk Into Fall 
Sketchbook Skool with Danny Gregory - A story of our day, trip, adventure.

Mine is simple .. a walk into my favorite season ...

More to come ...

Blowing in the Sunflowers

Gray days, bit of rain -- all that sketch work --- just needed to splash some paint around!!!