Stormy Skies - Alcohol Ink

I'm finding more and more images I haven't posted ... some of these were done prior to surgery.  This alcohol ink was done during a class I taught ...

Splash and Splatter Strawberries

It's strawberry season -- YUM!!!!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL THE MOTHER'S, SISTERS, AUNTS, FRIENDS, AND MEN WHO ARE MOTHERS TO CHILDREN, PETS, AND OTHERS! MAY IT BE WONDERFUL!

Saucer Magnolia

Journal
Painted a few weeks ago when my small tree was in bloom ... now it's covered in bright green leaves.

Every Day in May - 1 - Favorite Food

Journal

EDIM - Journal -- Working slowly through the list of prompts - feeling so much better when I am able to sketch!

Pepper

Pepper
9/07 to 4/26/15

It is with extreme sadness that we put Pepper down today.

Apparently he had gotten into a fight with another animal and since he wasn't a lap cat, his gaping holes, infections, went unnoticed since they were under his rear leg. When he became lethargic and could hardly walk, we took him to the vet ... the infection was large and bad .... So grateful that Charles was home and with me.

It's always hard to say goodbye to someone you love, even if that someone is a cat.  Pepper was my shadow, my 'familiar', my companion...

I miss him already.

Apple Blossoms -- and Thank YOU!

Journal - Finally beginning to feel a bit more like myself!!!  Thank heavens -- and friends!  Along with the apple blossoms to cheer me, my generous, incredible friends and family have kept me company, brought gifts of food and flowers, chocolate and ice packs, spent the night to insure my getting around safely, encouraged me, and cheered me thru discouragement and pain.  Their giving and kindness aid my healing, and I am genuinely overwhelmed with gratitude.

Thank each and every one of you!!

The Gap

Journal -- I painted this last weekend - so the reference was for that period of time ..
Two beautiful days and we took advantage of the sunny 70F weather to walk at the GAP. Baseball games, bikers, walkers, the place was being fully utilized. I appreciated the benches - I could rest before walking more.

I've continued my progress with strengthening my leg and range of motion, but I am still plagued with the 'after surgery' fatigue that seems to take a while to get over.  I've painted a few things here and there, but I'm still finding it difficult to sit for longer than a few minutes at the computer.  But there has been progress.

Friends continue to bless me with their company and food and encouragement.  A few more weeks, and I should have enough stamina to return to commenting, painting and posting.

Have a great weekend.

Lotopetalum

Journal -

Feeling so much better.  Outside it's 70F and sunny.

C takes me for a walk at the GAP (nice walking path at our athletic park), and it was crowded since a baseball game was going on.  So we had to park in the grass.  I walked the 50 feet or so and what that did was make me bend my knee -- just the kind of exercise I'm encouraged to do.

After the walk, we sat outside on the porch and I sketched some of the blooming plants that I can see.  This loropetalum is chock-ful  pf blossoms - so bright!  And those dang violets are everywhere!!!  Yes, the pollen is heavy and covers everything ... my seat was a wonderful 'yellow' .....! LOL

Thank you all for your well wishes.  I'm improving slowly - and walking most of the day without the walker.  Pain ever present but manageable.

Hope you have a great Sunday!

HAPPY EASTER - FORSYTHIA

Journal

Painted prior to surgery.

I wanted to wish everyone a most joyous Easter!  Progressing in baby steps, but moving forward.  A million thanks for your well wishes ... you simply cannot know how deeply I appreciate each one ...


Much love!

Ducks at Duke

Journal -

Loved watching these wonderful birds and all the young children feeding them!  Spring indeed!

Pre-ops all done.  Will be back as soon as I can!

Early Spring Landscape in Alcohol Ink

An early spring landscape - my demonstration during my Alcohol Ink Class last week ....  Lots of Fun!

Daphne - Happy First Day of Spring!

Journal --

Happy First Day of Spring!  Though the temps have dropped (again!) and the skies are grey - the signs of spring are evident in the expanding buds, daffodils and first blooms of the forsythia.

I open my front door and the heavenly scent of Daphne odora wafts from the middle of my front property to my nose -- I swoon!

I clip a piece to sketch - and the scent beautifies my art room!

Knee Surgery

Journal -

Drawn from the brochure given to me prior to surgery.  Seems my  torn meniscus from 20+ years ago has completely disappeared and the bones are not only grinding together but shifting -- not fun.  Surgery is scheduled for late next week so I'll be offline for a while after that. Yoga has been helping with the pain - but not enough...sigh.

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!