A Few Views of Paris - The Seine, Notre Dame, Seine,Luxembourg Gardens, Markets, Cafes, Fountains

Roses - Seems France is filled with Roses

Journal - It was most difficult to be so far away when Mom passed September 15, 2015 ... I couldn't make it back from France in time for the funeral, but everywhere I went during this long-planned trip, was filled with roses - Mom's favorite flower.  I lit candles at each church we visited, stopped to remember mom at every rose.  In the spring, we'll have another family ceremony while we plant roses in Mom's memory.

Splash and Splatter Sunflowers

Journal

A bit of summer .....

Morning Glories - Glorious

Journal Tip In --- When I walked outside yesterday, the morning glories were so -- well -- GLORIOUS!! --- I had to sketch them ... They've climbed up my holly bush ...

Yellowing Tobacco Fields

Journal

A bit of comfort sketching after dashing to NY to visit my mom who suffered a stroke. Coming back to NC I'm astonished to see so much yellow is in the fields and woodlands and especially the tobacco that remains in the fields. Of course the drought has affected the yellowing -- but it does feel like we'll have an early fall. I found the leaves on the bottom of my persimmon tree have already turned red.

Gate in Italy

Journal

It's always a joy to return to Italy even by browsing my photos.  This is one of the wonderful garden gates I saw while there.

Roadside and Yellow Flowers

Journal - Roadside and Yellow Flowers -- Fall is on its way! 

Splash and Splatter Morning Glories

Journal - Inspired by the morning glories creeping up my porch ...

At DosToquitos

Journal

Girls night out - waiting for friends to join us.  We sat outside DosTaquitos before having dinner at Relish followed by a reading by Margaret Maron of her newest book at Quail Ridge.

Fun night!

My tomatoes

Journal - these salad tomatoes keep coming ... and coming... and coming ....

Rose of Sharon

Journal -- Despite the lack of rain and high temps, this shrub is in full, dazzling bloom.

Potted Plants from the White Garden at Duke Gardens

Journal -- From the White Garden at Duke Gardens - One of the many clusters of potted plants.

Gulls at Sunset

A class demo putting all the beach elements I taught this month into a sunset scene.

The Dune

Painted from memory and a recent trip to the beach!  Finally got my toes in the Atlantic!!

Cottage and Wisteria

Journal Tip In

I've been trying to practice architectural elements these last couple of weeks ... This one was from a reference photo ...

Beach and Fence

When the weather turns as warm and sultry as its been, my thoughts turn to water and beachside visits ... Hope we can get there soon!

HAPPY FATHERS DAY!

For all the dads, fathers, uncles, brothers, men and women who fill the role as 'dad' -- may it be a wonderful and special day for you!

Gardenia

Journal - plein air pen and wash - my garden gardenia. I'm surprised more blooms weren't killed by this winter's cold ...

Every Day in May - 31 - Eggs

Journal - The last page of my Every Day in May Journal - eggs.  Yes, I was reminded I forgot to paint an omelet! LOL

Every Day in May - 11 - Hat

Journal - Hat

My husband's old hat -- I wear it when I'm working near the bee hives -- it keeps the bees from tangling in my hair ...

Every Day in May - Journal - Sign

 

 

Journal  

 

I found this wooden wheel barrow and wooden sign on a back street in Civita di Bagnoreggio, Tuscany, Italy.  It was in front of a shop selling puppets of Franciscan Monks who wore cords around their robes.

Every Day in May - Ingredients

Another page from my Every Day in May Journal.

Every Day in May - Birdhouse

Journal

For the month of May, I've been doing small paintings/sketches/journaling in a watercolor journal based on prompts provided by friends on Facebook.  I'll post a number of them this week.
This bluebird house, located on a corner of my front yard, housing a pair of nesting bluebirds each year.  When I painted this, the babes had already flown the nest.

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.