Daily Practice
Journal
The NC Highway Department has graced our roadsides with fields of incredible flower displays. Acres of varying colors soften the dark asphalt hardness with beauty, movement and form. Wildflowers of all types are used in these efforts started long ago by Lady Bird Johnson. The fruit of all those years of hard work are today ours to enjoy.
This time of year, the prevalance of daylilies planted over highway acres creates wave upon wave of yellows, golds, oranges, pinks and peach. Eye candy for the traveler!
On the way to Pilot Mountain, we stopped at one of the overlooks to view the mountains and enjoy a bit of the bright daylilies. I could see from the road just a hint of farmhouse between the trees, but I moved the house a bit for this painting.
The visit to Cape Fear Botanical Garden and Fayetteville Tech Rose Garden yesterday was superb! Despite the close to 100F heat, we managed to stay in the shade most of the day, enjoying the displays, reconstructed farm buildings and general store, hostas, daylilies, ponds and more. I must say that those who love gardens will find a way to enjoy the beauty each new setting holds no matter the heat or weather! Grand folks indeed!
My dd is visiting and my son joined us for dinner yesterday. I am on vacation for a few days - but probably a bit busier than ever! I have a ton of plum jam to make, an art date, a workshop with Sterling Edwards this weekend, and gardening and watering to help save our veggies and plants in this week of 100F weather.
I hope we all manage to stay cool .....!
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Pilot Mountain
Daily Journal
This weekend my husband and I FINALLY slipped away to spend the weekend in the mountains of NC. We left early Friday morning and spent two days in a restored tobacco barn - reminescent of a log cabin -- complete with fireplace, loft, balconies and sweet, warm mornings lingering over breakfast -- RELAXATION! And would you believe we even had a CAT come and visit us! LOL
This small sketch was painted from memory of Pilot Mountain itself - so named for the granite outcropping that arises from blue-misty-hazy Blue-Ridge mountains almost 3,000 feet above sea level. This view, spotted along the roads that lead up to the mountain and State Park itself, gives you the view of the tawny fields, treeline, mountain and then, like a pilot's cabin, that sheer bit of granite rock. Sure a funny sight!
We hiked around that pinnacle, despite the heat -- and the views of the valley were fantastic. Hawks circled, hikers came and went, and we just enjoyed the slow climb all the while marveling at all that chiseled granite!
Today we take another group to a nearby Botanical Garden. Temps are to reach 100F by noon - so we'll be wilting by the time we return.
Stay cool today!
This weekend my husband and I FINALLY slipped away to spend the weekend in the mountains of NC. We left early Friday morning and spent two days in a restored tobacco barn - reminescent of a log cabin -- complete with fireplace, loft, balconies and sweet, warm mornings lingering over breakfast -- RELAXATION! And would you believe we even had a CAT come and visit us! LOL
This small sketch was painted from memory of Pilot Mountain itself - so named for the granite outcropping that arises from blue-misty-hazy Blue-Ridge mountains almost 3,000 feet above sea level. This view, spotted along the roads that lead up to the mountain and State Park itself, gives you the view of the tawny fields, treeline, mountain and then, like a pilot's cabin, that sheer bit of granite rock. Sure a funny sight!
We hiked around that pinnacle, despite the heat -- and the views of the valley were fantastic. Hawks circled, hikers came and went, and we just enjoyed the slow climb all the while marveling at all that chiseled granite!
Today we take another group to a nearby Botanical Garden. Temps are to reach 100F by noon - so we'll be wilting by the time we return.
Stay cool today!
Monday, June 21, 2010
It's Summer
Happy First Day of Summer!
Already the days here are hot hotter and hottest! Mercy! Still, the flowers bloom in the fields, the birds give us their melodies, and the sun warms and tans us. Veggies grow larger, tomatoes and fruits ripen, days are long and vacation and leisure time beckons.
It's summer ....
My memories of childhood summers are of those long, languid days lying by the swimming pool, BBQ dinners, company every weekend, reading, playing ball, long walks, and endless days that seemed to stretch forever.
Summer days for grown-ups aren't always so restful .... for those who garden, this is the busiest time -- weeding, watering, harvesting, canning, freezing, drying in between the 'normal' demands of the work day ...
Still, when the weather gets so hot that the body just CAN'T move quickly, and one sits on the porch with a bowl of freshly made ice cream or ice cold watermelon, a soft, tender breeze dries the face, crickets chirp and fireflies light -- well, THAT'S darn good too ...
Summer --- may we all find a bit of our childhood leisure to enjoy it.
Already the days here are hot hotter and hottest! Mercy! Still, the flowers bloom in the fields, the birds give us their melodies, and the sun warms and tans us. Veggies grow larger, tomatoes and fruits ripen, days are long and vacation and leisure time beckons.
It's summer ....
My memories of childhood summers are of those long, languid days lying by the swimming pool, BBQ dinners, company every weekend, reading, playing ball, long walks, and endless days that seemed to stretch forever.
Summer days for grown-ups aren't always so restful .... for those who garden, this is the busiest time -- weeding, watering, harvesting, canning, freezing, drying in between the 'normal' demands of the work day ...
Still, when the weather gets so hot that the body just CAN'T move quickly, and one sits on the porch with a bowl of freshly made ice cream or ice cold watermelon, a soft, tender breeze dries the face, crickets chirp and fireflies light -- well, THAT'S darn good too ...
Summer --- may we all find a bit of our childhood leisure to enjoy it.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Fathers Day
Daily Practice
Journal
To all the fathers, sons, brothers, uncles, male instructors, men who act as fathers, fathers of pets and women who must serve the role as both Mom and Dad -- a most wonderful HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to you!
Along the path of life,we all come across those situations where we 'are' the father-parent - sometimes it's at work, owning a pet, care-taking a stepchild, sick one, aged parent, teaching another, or being a model for 'fatherhood' in one capacity or another, there will always be times when we are called to be 'dads.' Today we salute and honor them for the role they play in guiding, instructing and loving those they lead.
A Blessed and Joyous Day to you!
Journal
To all the fathers, sons, brothers, uncles, male instructors, men who act as fathers, fathers of pets and women who must serve the role as both Mom and Dad -- a most wonderful HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to you!
Along the path of life,we all come across those situations where we 'are' the father-parent - sometimes it's at work, owning a pet, care-taking a stepchild, sick one, aged parent, teaching another, or being a model for 'fatherhood' in one capacity or another, there will always be times when we are called to be 'dads.' Today we salute and honor them for the role they play in guiding, instructing and loving those they lead.
A Blessed and Joyous Day to you!
Saturday, June 19, 2010
The Cliff in the Foggy Morning
Daily Practice
Journal
I am without a scanner and away, so I'm posting some of my older images that I have saved but didn't upload .... this is one I did ages ago by a wet in wet, abstract ... and then an overpainting of details .... the wet in wet suggested to me a foggy morning, much as I've been seeing on my way to work this week AND this morning .......
I'll be on an off the computer ... so I hope your weekend is terrific!
Journal
I am without a scanner and away, so I'm posting some of my older images that I have saved but didn't upload .... this is one I did ages ago by a wet in wet, abstract ... and then an overpainting of details .... the wet in wet suggested to me a foggy morning, much as I've been seeing on my way to work this week AND this morning .......
I'll be on an off the computer ... so I hope your weekend is terrific!
Friday, June 18, 2010
Oxford Hay Season
9" x 12"
Arches 140#CP
The hay was gone from the fields when I got home yesterday, and already the new season of grasses has begun. A lush carpet of emerald green soread over the valleys and hills and replaced the tawny siennas and browns. It'll be another 4 months or so before I view the hay bales again.
We sent another 40 pounds of food to the food shelter yesterday. One volunteer offered us the opportunity to pick ripe, juicy, DELICIOUS plums from his trees, and so four of us followed him back to his farm for a 'pickin'! WOW! This season's rain and sun have been mighty beneficial to his fruit trees, and we came home with a cooler filled with bright red/purple orbs. The scent was intoxicating, and I probably ate my weight in plums!
I will be going out of town this weekend, and so last night was a marathon of activity -- laundry, packing, repacking, and rendering gallons of plum pulp to save for making preserves next week. WHEW!
I'll be scarce and will have to catch up with everyone on Sunday --- I hope you have a great weekend!
Arches 140#CP
The hay was gone from the fields when I got home yesterday, and already the new season of grasses has begun. A lush carpet of emerald green soread over the valleys and hills and replaced the tawny siennas and browns. It'll be another 4 months or so before I view the hay bales again.
We sent another 40 pounds of food to the food shelter yesterday. One volunteer offered us the opportunity to pick ripe, juicy, DELICIOUS plums from his trees, and so four of us followed him back to his farm for a 'pickin'! WOW! This season's rain and sun have been mighty beneficial to his fruit trees, and we came home with a cooler filled with bright red/purple orbs. The scent was intoxicating, and I probably ate my weight in plums!
I will be going out of town this weekend, and so last night was a marathon of activity -- laundry, packing, repacking, and rendering gallons of plum pulp to save for making preserves next week. WHEW!
I'll be scarce and will have to catch up with everyone on Sunday --- I hope you have a great weekend!
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Inspired by Orchids
Daily Practice
Journal
Ah, flowers -- they're all around me lately -- and with the rain and hot sun, they seem to be exploding in colors and quantity.
This 'splatter and splash' (I really am enamored with this method! LOL) was done over the weekend. I used my friend's 'iridescent medium' on the stamen, and in real life has just the nicest bit of shine and glitter in the throats of the flowers.
It stormed again last night with another battering of rain ... the weeds are having their way with so many of the gardens ....! LOL
During this time of campus life when most students are gone, it's a plethera of paperwork that keeps us inside -- budgets, plans, meetings, reports. I suppose that could be a good thing in all the heat -- lol
Hope your day is cool and sunny!
Journal
Ah, flowers -- they're all around me lately -- and with the rain and hot sun, they seem to be exploding in colors and quantity.
This 'splatter and splash' (I really am enamored with this method! LOL) was done over the weekend. I used my friend's 'iridescent medium' on the stamen, and in real life has just the nicest bit of shine and glitter in the throats of the flowers.
It stormed again last night with another battering of rain ... the weeds are having their way with so many of the gardens ....! LOL
During this time of campus life when most students are gone, it's a plethera of paperwork that keeps us inside -- budgets, plans, meetings, reports. I suppose that could be a good thing in all the heat -- lol
Hope your day is cool and sunny!
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
My Squash Plant
9" x 12"
Arches 140#CP
After splashing and spattering paint for a while, returning to more traditional methods of watercolor application feels a bit odd. In some ways, I like this work, in many more, I'm not so sure... My attempt was a more considered approach to the squash growing in my garden - and yet, my arm misses that freedom of splashing paint! LOL
Yesterday's trip went very well -- we managed to avoid the rain, but holy moly was it HOT. Still, we were able to remain fairly comfortable with breaks for lunch and visiting each historic building -- all, thankfully, air conditioned.
It's thundering as I type, and we finally completed some drainage work in between bouts of showers. It will still be mighty hot today -- despite the rain.
Hope your day is terrific!
Arches 140#CP
After splashing and spattering paint for a while, returning to more traditional methods of watercolor application feels a bit odd. In some ways, I like this work, in many more, I'm not so sure... My attempt was a more considered approach to the squash growing in my garden - and yet, my arm misses that freedom of splashing paint! LOL
Yesterday's trip went very well -- we managed to avoid the rain, but holy moly was it HOT. Still, we were able to remain fairly comfortable with breaks for lunch and visiting each historic building -- all, thankfully, air conditioned.
It's thundering as I type, and we finally completed some drainage work in between bouts of showers. It will still be mighty hot today -- despite the rain.
Hope your day is terrific!
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Inspired by a Shed in the Grasses
Daily Practice
Journal
Thank you so much for your most kind comments yesterday ......
I am still struggling with moving the spontaneous, splashy splatter to landscapes -- I worked on this last night - but have to admit that it was more 'directed' than yesterday's work. I added the shed (I should have made it larger) to give the summer grasses something to play against.
We're taking two vans of Arboretum Guests to Old Salem today -- we've got a garden tour in the morning, lunch, and then the homes and shops scheduled for the afternoon. Temps will be very high with thunderstorms predicted .. so fingers are crossed ...
I'll catch up tomorrow ...
Have a great day!
Journal
Thank you so much for your most kind comments yesterday ......
I am still struggling with moving the spontaneous, splashy splatter to landscapes -- I worked on this last night - but have to admit that it was more 'directed' than yesterday's work. I added the shed (I should have made it larger) to give the summer grasses something to play against.
We're taking two vans of Arboretum Guests to Old Salem today -- we've got a garden tour in the morning, lunch, and then the homes and shops scheduled for the afternoon. Temps will be very high with thunderstorms predicted .. so fingers are crossed ...
I'll catch up tomorrow ...
Have a great day!
Monday, June 14, 2010
Inspired by the Glow of Eventide Along the Water
Daily Practice
Journal
I am still working to bring the 'splatter and splash' to my landscapes. Yesterday, my friend Linda came over to paint while her husband joined the jam group to play music. I was teaching her how I 'splatter' and after I tossed the paint, asked her what she saw.
To my surprise, she suggested a landscape -- and so while she worked on sunflowers, I worked to 'see' what she saw-- and so this landscape came about. It was fun -- and I'm very grateful she helped me see the splatters through her eyes...!
C's jam went so well -- music was grand, and our neighbors came by as well to hear the group. Some had to leave early when, yep, another storm came up, and battered our pretty flowers with heavy rains. Mercy, the area between the house and garage was running water as though it were a river! The hot-storm-rain pattern is with us this week - I hope it doesn't rain out our trip tomorrow.
Stay well!
Journal
I am still working to bring the 'splatter and splash' to my landscapes. Yesterday, my friend Linda came over to paint while her husband joined the jam group to play music. I was teaching her how I 'splatter' and after I tossed the paint, asked her what she saw.
To my surprise, she suggested a landscape -- and so while she worked on sunflowers, I worked to 'see' what she saw-- and so this landscape came about. It was fun -- and I'm very grateful she helped me see the splatters through her eyes...!
C's jam went so well -- music was grand, and our neighbors came by as well to hear the group. Some had to leave early when, yep, another storm came up, and battered our pretty flowers with heavy rains. Mercy, the area between the house and garage was running water as though it were a river! The hot-storm-rain pattern is with us this week - I hope it doesn't rain out our trip tomorrow.
Stay well!
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Inspired by Sunflowers and Irridescent Medium
Daily Practice
Journal
When my friend, Jodi, came to paint this weekend, we worked on 'splatter and splash' to loosen up and approach our watercolors in a somewhat different manner. Fun! Jodi added to the play by sharing her Irridescent Medium to the work. I don't know if it shows up or not, but there is just a 'hint' of sparkle and shine to the painting. I can't wait to try this medium on snow!
This painting was based on the sunflowers that have sprouted by my bird feeder. There are several different kinds of sunflowers growing -- all indicating the various seed types a bag of sunflower birdseed contains.
Sunflowers are interesting --- the plants are allelopathic, meaning they exude a chemical that decreases the ability of other seeds to germinate. We haven't filled our birdfeeders in quite a while since the kitties pose a threat to them, so seeing these sunflowers come up and bloom was quite a delightful surprise. I'm going to let these flowers seed out so perhaps a few other surprises will bloom next year.
We have a house full of company coming for C's jam today - so I'll be scarce. The thunderstorm we had last night is supposed to 'repeat' itself all week, and temps are due to reach triple digits. Gracious, it's not even summer yet!
Stay cool!
Journal
When my friend, Jodi, came to paint this weekend, we worked on 'splatter and splash' to loosen up and approach our watercolors in a somewhat different manner. Fun! Jodi added to the play by sharing her Irridescent Medium to the work. I don't know if it shows up or not, but there is just a 'hint' of sparkle and shine to the painting. I can't wait to try this medium on snow!
This painting was based on the sunflowers that have sprouted by my bird feeder. There are several different kinds of sunflowers growing -- all indicating the various seed types a bag of sunflower birdseed contains.
Sunflowers are interesting --- the plants are allelopathic, meaning they exude a chemical that decreases the ability of other seeds to germinate. We haven't filled our birdfeeders in quite a while since the kitties pose a threat to them, so seeing these sunflowers come up and bloom was quite a delightful surprise. I'm going to let these flowers seed out so perhaps a few other surprises will bloom next year.
We have a house full of company coming for C's jam today - so I'll be scarce. The thunderstorm we had last night is supposed to 'repeat' itself all week, and temps are due to reach triple digits. Gracious, it's not even summer yet!
Stay cool!
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Sunset Solitude - For Mike
12" x 16"
Arches 140#CP
When my son came to visit me at the Art Festival last weekend, he really liked my painting of a sunset and lake scene done in warm yellows, oranges and siennas. He asked me to paint a similiar scene for him (since I never did paint the motorcycle he asked me to do! LOL) of the marsh in Charleston at sunset.
Yesterday, between preserving 30 jars of jam, planting, weeding, and painting with a friend, I managed to paint this for him ... the original I sent him did not include the bird, but Mike asked me to add the egret/heron--so I found a place for him among the cattails.
ENJOY, Mike!
Today I have another appointment with weed control .. mercy, those things are really persistent! and a few chores in town.
It was such a joy to paint with my friend, Jodi. We thought about painting outdoors, but when temps tipped the scales over 87F, we retreated indoors to paint. I worked a bit on this painting while she was here and we also played with splattering ... wonderful fun, good sharing, and another paint date in a couple of weeks. Friends and painting -- gifts to be sure!
We're in for a couple of days of high humidity and high temperatures, so I'm dashing early to get the weeds hit before it's too hot for the herbicide to work ...
Stay cool!
Arches 140#CP
When my son came to visit me at the Art Festival last weekend, he really liked my painting of a sunset and lake scene done in warm yellows, oranges and siennas. He asked me to paint a similiar scene for him (since I never did paint the motorcycle he asked me to do! LOL) of the marsh in Charleston at sunset.
Yesterday, between preserving 30 jars of jam, planting, weeding, and painting with a friend, I managed to paint this for him ... the original I sent him did not include the bird, but Mike asked me to add the egret/heron--so I found a place for him among the cattails.
ENJOY, Mike!
Today I have another appointment with weed control .. mercy, those things are really persistent! and a few chores in town.
It was such a joy to paint with my friend, Jodi. We thought about painting outdoors, but when temps tipped the scales over 87F, we retreated indoors to paint. I worked a bit on this painting while she was here and we also played with splattering ... wonderful fun, good sharing, and another paint date in a couple of weeks. Friends and painting -- gifts to be sure!
We're in for a couple of days of high humidity and high temperatures, so I'm dashing early to get the weeds hit before it's too hot for the herbicide to work ...
Stay cool!
Friday, June 11, 2010
Inspired by a Field of Daisies
9" x 12"
Arches 140#CP
The roadsides are dotted with clumps of yellow and white daisies surrounded by lush, rain-aided green grasses .... These bright, seemingly smiling flowers brighten the drive home as well as the fields and ditches along the way.
Our intense heat has returned along with the beginning of summer bounties. One of the Plant a Row volunteers brought me such incredibly delicious plums yesterday, so my task today is to render them into my husband's favorite prserves. The stuffed squash and daylily blossoms yesterday were a great hit! One volunteer brought cheesecake to share, deviled eggs from his own chickens, a cooling watermelon and I added zucchini bread -- what a feast. On top of that, we donated 40 1/2 pounds of food to the foodbank yesterday!
We're expecting company this weekend, as well as hosting C's Jam (the music kind), and yardwork to do - going to be busy -- again!
Stay cool today ...!
Arches 140#CP
The roadsides are dotted with clumps of yellow and white daisies surrounded by lush, rain-aided green grasses .... These bright, seemingly smiling flowers brighten the drive home as well as the fields and ditches along the way.
Our intense heat has returned along with the beginning of summer bounties. One of the Plant a Row volunteers brought me such incredibly delicious plums yesterday, so my task today is to render them into my husband's favorite prserves. The stuffed squash and daylily blossoms yesterday were a great hit! One volunteer brought cheesecake to share, deviled eggs from his own chickens, a cooling watermelon and I added zucchini bread -- what a feast. On top of that, we donated 40 1/2 pounds of food to the foodbank yesterday!
We're expecting company this weekend, as well as hosting C's Jam (the music kind), and yardwork to do - going to be busy -- again!
Stay cool today ...!
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Field of Poppies
Daily Practice
Journal
Montrose Gardens
I continue to return to the photos I took of Montrose Gardens in North Carolina -- paintings at every turn -- and some of the most magnificent fields of poppies I've ever seen.
This painting comes a bit closer to what I've had in my mind and kept trying to achieve! I still have a vision for those yellow/gold ones that I'll keep playing with! LOL
Today we're harvesting as well as having another pot luck lunch. I'll teach the group how to stuff squash and daylilly blossoms and see how everyone enjoys those.
The promised rain is still 'en route'.. so we'll be dashing about this morning to insure our harvest before the rain comes.
Hope your day is great!
Journal
Montrose Gardens
I continue to return to the photos I took of Montrose Gardens in North Carolina -- paintings at every turn -- and some of the most magnificent fields of poppies I've ever seen.
This painting comes a bit closer to what I've had in my mind and kept trying to achieve! I still have a vision for those yellow/gold ones that I'll keep playing with! LOL
Today we're harvesting as well as having another pot luck lunch. I'll teach the group how to stuff squash and daylilly blossoms and see how everyone enjoys those.
The promised rain is still 'en route'.. so we'll be dashing about this morning to insure our harvest before the rain comes.
Hope your day is great!
Wednesday, June 09, 2010
Gas Light Building and Hay Bales
9" x 12"
Arches 140#CP
I've painted this building a long time ago covered in weeds so that only the roof was showing --- much the sight I see when I pass it from the road. The building and the haybales are on the road I use to reach my home. I had watched the grasses growing all spring, and waited and waited until the farmers cut and baled the hay. When C and I ventured out this weekend and saw they were baling, I knew I had to return for some more photos.
One farmer who lived across the road from this field and whose oral history I did many years ago, told us that the building used to house 'gas lights' for the area. I have no idea what that means, and unfortunately, he is no longer with us to ask, but the building still stands almost covered in grasses and volunteer shrubs. The hay is grown by a tenant farmer also living along the road, and each spring and fall, I eagerly await the fields to be dotted with these ochre and gold bundles.
C and I went for photos mid-day, and when we tried to return later that evening to capture some of those wonderful long evening shadows, rain was approaching (photo earlier), and that opportunity was lost. I expect when I return home this week, the bales will be in the farmer's barn.
The trip to the nursery with Arboretum guests was WONDERFUL -- with lots to see, too much to choose from, too much spent (LOL), and a divine lunch. Great fun and some new plants to try....
We're expecting rain again, and the weeds here at the Arboretum are growing faster than the zucchini -- and that's saying something! LOL
Have a super day!
Arches 140#CP
I've painted this building a long time ago covered in weeds so that only the roof was showing --- much the sight I see when I pass it from the road. The building and the haybales are on the road I use to reach my home. I had watched the grasses growing all spring, and waited and waited until the farmers cut and baled the hay. When C and I ventured out this weekend and saw they were baling, I knew I had to return for some more photos.
One farmer who lived across the road from this field and whose oral history I did many years ago, told us that the building used to house 'gas lights' for the area. I have no idea what that means, and unfortunately, he is no longer with us to ask, but the building still stands almost covered in grasses and volunteer shrubs. The hay is grown by a tenant farmer also living along the road, and each spring and fall, I eagerly await the fields to be dotted with these ochre and gold bundles.
C and I went for photos mid-day, and when we tried to return later that evening to capture some of those wonderful long evening shadows, rain was approaching (photo earlier), and that opportunity was lost. I expect when I return home this week, the bales will be in the farmer's barn.
The trip to the nursery with Arboretum guests was WONDERFUL -- with lots to see, too much to choose from, too much spent (LOL), and a divine lunch. Great fun and some new plants to try....
We're expecting rain again, and the weeds here at the Arboretum are growing faster than the zucchini -- and that's saying something! LOL
Have a super day!
Blanket Flower
I just had to share a bit of my garden. The rain has really brought out the best colors this year!
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
My Beloved Roadsides with Wild Roses
Daily Practice
Journal
With all the rain and high temperatures we've been experiencing, the plant growth has been incredible! And with that same rain, the weather has kept many landscapers and highway department workers from being able to mount their mowers and remove some of the rampant 'weed' growth along the roadsides.
And mercy, have I enjoyed all that WILDFLOWER WILDNESS!
This fencepost, located along one of the rural roads in my county, was chock-full of wild roses, the red-brown seedheads of Rumex, the lacy dots of tiny daisies, and grasses upon grasses of all kinds. Not in this image, but further along the road, Queen Anne's Lace and orange Daylilies also add their beauty -- and I am in absolute heaven!
My dh shakes his head at me -- hayfields and ditch flowers --! My loves! LOL
We're off to take several vans of folks to a huge flower farm and lunch. We've invited the Arboretum volunteers who have been so incredibly generous of their time planting and harvesting the food for the hungry. It's our small way of saying 'thank you' .....
I hope to catch up tomorrow .... Meantime .. take a walk along the 'wild side' and smell those wild roses!
Journal
With all the rain and high temperatures we've been experiencing, the plant growth has been incredible! And with that same rain, the weather has kept many landscapers and highway department workers from being able to mount their mowers and remove some of the rampant 'weed' growth along the roadsides.
And mercy, have I enjoyed all that WILDFLOWER WILDNESS!
This fencepost, located along one of the rural roads in my county, was chock-full of wild roses, the red-brown seedheads of Rumex, the lacy dots of tiny daisies, and grasses upon grasses of all kinds. Not in this image, but further along the road, Queen Anne's Lace and orange Daylilies also add their beauty -- and I am in absolute heaven!
My dh shakes his head at me -- hayfields and ditch flowers --! My loves! LOL
We're off to take several vans of folks to a huge flower farm and lunch. We've invited the Arboretum volunteers who have been so incredibly generous of their time planting and harvesting the food for the hungry. It's our small way of saying 'thank you' .....
I hope to catch up tomorrow .... Meantime .. take a walk along the 'wild side' and smell those wild roses!
Monday, June 07, 2010
Hayfields
9" x 12"
Arches 140#CP
With all the rain we've been having, our farmers have had a time returning to the fields in order to cut and bale hay. This weekend with its intense heat, however, seems to have dried the fields enough for that activity to begin again.
These haybales are in one of the many fields near our home. The background trees are a bit bluer in my painting (dang scanner), but the sunlight and heat, blue skies and circling birds are all very real and part of our country drives.
Thank you all for your most kind comments on my display and sales. It was fun, but it did take all of yesterday to recover from the heat! LOL
It's off to work for another week ...Take care!
Arches 140#CP
With all the rain we've been having, our farmers have had a time returning to the fields in order to cut and bale hay. This weekend with its intense heat, however, seems to have dried the fields enough for that activity to begin again.
These haybales are in one of the many fields near our home. The background trees are a bit bluer in my painting (dang scanner), but the sunlight and heat, blue skies and circling birds are all very real and part of our country drives.
Thank you all for your most kind comments on my display and sales. It was fun, but it did take all of yesterday to recover from the heat! LOL
It's off to work for another week ...Take care!
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