My challenge this week (and always) are those various greens ... there are SO many greens in NC and everywhere I look! I continue to practice and practice so that eventually I won't have to 'think' so much about mixing and blending.
This view, from a photo I shot at Montrose Gardens, shows an ornate garden seat nestled among a blanket of yellow poppies and a bright yellow shrub (name unknown) and framed by irises and evergreen trees and more shrubs. Yep -- A LOT OF GREEN!!! LOL
I'm not at all sure I captured this as I wanted to -- but it's close to the view I saw ... and it DEFINITELY challenged me with all those greens!
Yesterday was mighty busy with tasks -- from errands around town, jam making (finally), and baking some incredible lavender shortbread for the Arboretum tea, paying bills, laundry and the like, I'm a bit tired today. Nonetheless, I'm heading out for a paint-out with a new group at an Arboretum I'm familiar with. We're expecting storms this afternoon, so it'll be a short adventure.
Have a good Saturday!
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Friday, May 30, 2008
Poppy Field
Driving along the highway from my office to the B&B, I noticed a field of bright, red poppies! I was mesmerized! And instantly thought of Italy!! LOL The NC Highway Department plants some fields of California poppies (the red, short ones) and so certain stretches of our highways also showcased this 'red vision' I loved.
One evening two weeks ago, I left the highway in search of the red poppy field I kept seeing. Not only did I find ONE poppy field, I found TWO of them! I pulled off the twisty, farm road, grabbed my camera, and shot a number of photos.
I started this sketch about a week ago (time really IS my nemesis!!! LOL), but I left it unfinished -- not very happy with my work -- I KNEW something was missing and I couldn't figure it out.
The other day, I was watching a live broadcast from The Painting and Drawing Channel (http://www.thepaintinganddrawingchannel.co.uk/) and whatever I was watching seemed to spark in me the missing pieces --!
Anyway, I worked to complete this last night. Though I see where I'd do some things differently, I like it far better now than I did two weeks ago! LOL
One evening two weeks ago, I left the highway in search of the red poppy field I kept seeing. Not only did I find ONE poppy field, I found TWO of them! I pulled off the twisty, farm road, grabbed my camera, and shot a number of photos.
I started this sketch about a week ago (time really IS my nemesis!!! LOL), but I left it unfinished -- not very happy with my work -- I KNEW something was missing and I couldn't figure it out.
The other day, I was watching a live broadcast from The Painting and Drawing Channel (http://www.thepaintinganddrawingchannel.co.uk/) and whatever I was watching seemed to spark in me the missing pieces --!
Anyway, I worked to complete this last night. Though I see where I'd do some things differently, I like it far better now than I did two weeks ago! LOL
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Rebecca's Limoges Vase and Roses
Sitting at Rebecca's kitchen table one evening, I noticed a new vase she had been given. She told me it was a gift from her son, a Limoges Vase from France ... She had it filled with roses from her garden, and I thought I'd sketch the pretties ...
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Landscape Practice
Daily Practice
I've been so involved with painting gardens, that I thought I'd return to practicing landscapes as the season for plein air activities begins....
I'm always in conflict as to how much to put in and how much to leave out -- I opted for simplicity for this practice sketch ....
I've been so involved with painting gardens, that I thought I'd return to practicing landscapes as the season for plein air activities begins....
I'm always in conflict as to how much to put in and how much to leave out -- I opted for simplicity for this practice sketch ....
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Oxford Hayfield
Summer has arrived! And with it, the wonderful colors of ripening hay -- in the fields and in bales. It seems everywhere I drive in my rural North Carolina, hay fields are being plowed and rolled into bales ....
This is the field across from our home that was owned by two brothers -- now gone. I met them years ago when I first came to Oxford and when I was first learning to garden. They were so helpful to us with invaluable suggestions when we found our vegetables being enjoyed by almost every form of wildlife ...! They shared their incredible fields and trees of fruit with us, and we shared many meals with them.
Their way of life is changing so fast, it seems ....many large, family-run farms are disappearing --- but there seems to be a counter movement with many females entering the industry with niche farms. I see this echoed in my classes too with an increasing number of females taking horticulture classes .... and I'm really thrilled to see it happen -- just as it delights me to see hay being baled ...
This is the field across from our home that was owned by two brothers -- now gone. I met them years ago when I first came to Oxford and when I was first learning to garden. They were so helpful to us with invaluable suggestions when we found our vegetables being enjoyed by almost every form of wildlife ...! They shared their incredible fields and trees of fruit with us, and we shared many meals with them.
Their way of life is changing so fast, it seems ....many large, family-run farms are disappearing --- but there seems to be a counter movement with many females entering the industry with niche farms. I see this echoed in my classes too with an increasing number of females taking horticulture classes .... and I'm really thrilled to see it happen -- just as it delights me to see hay being baled ...
Monday, May 26, 2008
Strawberries - Loosely Speaking
Though Poppies are the traditional Memorial Day icon, I thought I'd share a bit of "Red White and Blue" with a loose rendering of some of the strawberries we picked this weekend.
Painting loosely is a 'challenge' for me -- the need for 'detail' is ever strong (the botanist maybe???), and so it took a couple of attempts to apply paint fast and wet and then leave it alone after it was done ... the painting is loose (for me), but not as 'abstract' as I had seen in my head ...! LOL I suppose each of us has our own 'style' that comes thru no matter what other style we admire, love or try ... and we spent a long time learning that! LOL
Today, we'll do the typical outdoor grilling as our office 'opening of Summer," and I'll continue working with strawberries.
I made some wonderful strawberry tea bread for our special 'tea' at the Arboretum next week, dried several trays, and have turned a bit 'red' from eating so many.
I think I may have a date with my jam making equipment ....
Painting loosely is a 'challenge' for me -- the need for 'detail' is ever strong (the botanist maybe???), and so it took a couple of attempts to apply paint fast and wet and then leave it alone after it was done ... the painting is loose (for me), but not as 'abstract' as I had seen in my head ...! LOL I suppose each of us has our own 'style' that comes thru no matter what other style we admire, love or try ... and we spent a long time learning that! LOL
Today, we'll do the typical outdoor grilling as our office 'opening of Summer," and I'll continue working with strawberries.
I made some wonderful strawberry tea bread for our special 'tea' at the Arboretum next week, dried several trays, and have turned a bit 'red' from eating so many.
I think I may have a date with my jam making equipment ....
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Lavenders and Birdbath
We had a great time with the grands yesterday --! Finally went strawberry picking at an incredible farm - Christmas Tree Farm -- not only were the strawberries incredibly sweet, but they also had cliimbing and swinging and sliding toys for the children, goats and horses for them to see, sandboxes filled with toys, picnic tables, and wonderful views! Emily and Nick really did a great job choosing the reddest (and largest) of the berries -- though their stamina for bending over and hunting through the strawberry leaves didn't last a full bucket's worth -- but they enjoyed themselves!
When we had collected our three buckets, we spent some time on the grounds so the grands could play a while, then drove to town for lunch. Naturally, they wanted to continue their climbing and sliding, so we stopped at a McDonald's for them to enjoy the jungle gym.
Got the berries home (my task today is to freeze, dry, and perhaps make jam from them), and then went to the town's park and, you guessed it, yet another large area of climbing, swinging and sliding toys! I can say one thing -- they were so tired -- that Nick asked to leave the park!!! And it was he who fell fast asleep in the car! LOL
When I got home, I too was a bit tired (LOL) and began on the berries. I didn't have the energy to sketch those, but did manage a fast sketch of Sunshine Lavender Farm -- which we'll be visiting in a couple of weeks for their lavender harvest festival. I wanted to practice those soft mounds of greens and lavenders before we spend a day painting there. I find that keeping these plants 'soft' while being careful not to add the lavender at the right time (and make mud) a bit challenging -- so I was very glad for the practice.
We're expecting another beautiful, sunny day .... hope to get enough of the berries done to sit outside and paint! But I have to admit, the pollen from SOMETHING this year is giving me a fit!
When we had collected our three buckets, we spent some time on the grounds so the grands could play a while, then drove to town for lunch. Naturally, they wanted to continue their climbing and sliding, so we stopped at a McDonald's for them to enjoy the jungle gym.
Got the berries home (my task today is to freeze, dry, and perhaps make jam from them), and then went to the town's park and, you guessed it, yet another large area of climbing, swinging and sliding toys! I can say one thing -- they were so tired -- that Nick asked to leave the park!!! And it was he who fell fast asleep in the car! LOL
When I got home, I too was a bit tired (LOL) and began on the berries. I didn't have the energy to sketch those, but did manage a fast sketch of Sunshine Lavender Farm -- which we'll be visiting in a couple of weeks for their lavender harvest festival. I wanted to practice those soft mounds of greens and lavenders before we spend a day painting there. I find that keeping these plants 'soft' while being careful not to add the lavender at the right time (and make mud) a bit challenging -- so I was very glad for the practice.
We're expecting another beautiful, sunny day .... hope to get enough of the berries done to sit outside and paint! But I have to admit, the pollen from SOMETHING this year is giving me a fit!
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Thyme in my Garden
We have the grands for a few days, so things are pretty busy!
I spent a short amount of time sketching the flowering thyme that sits in an octagonal bed by our kitchen door. I see this each time I leave the house. The other leaves are waiting for the flowers of gladioli and mums.s
(The scan is far darker than the real sketch, by the way...)
I spent a short amount of time sketching the flowering thyme that sits in an octagonal bed by our kitchen door. I see this each time I leave the house. The other leaves are waiting for the flowers of gladioli and mums.s
(The scan is far darker than the real sketch, by the way...)
Friday, May 23, 2008
Montrose Gardens
Last Tuesday as part of the Arboretum's Lecture Series, we brought a group of 15 to a 60 acre (45 developed) private garden in Hillsborough, NC -- Montrose Gardens. What a GLORIOUS place!!!! From huge trees, to evergreens, to shade gardens, to native plants to HUGE poppies that danced and bobbed in the gentle wind, to sunlit fowered cutting gardens -- this place was absolutely MAGICAL!!!!
Here is one view of the gardens -- lots of pink poppies, some euphorbias (yellow/green) and purple verbena ...
We had such a grand time, we're planning for another garden tour VERY SOON! What a delight!
Here is one view of the gardens -- lots of pink poppies, some euphorbias (yellow/green) and purple verbena ...
We had such a grand time, we're planning for another garden tour VERY SOON! What a delight!
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Charleston Windowbox
Windows, doors, arches, and of course, flowers, are some of the things I just love .... My photos of Charleston containers and window boxes always thrills me ... and so I continue to try to capture the magic I saw there ...
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Purple Coneflowers - Arboretum
Everywhere I look at the Arboretum, our purple coneflowers are in full bloom. I snipped a few from the outdoor gardens to bedeck my desk and sketch them in my journal ...
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Sicilian Wildflowers
Walking around our neighborhood this weekend, I was drawn, as I usually am, to wonderful array of wildflowers growing in the ditches. Later that morning, the screen saver on my computer showed photo of a field of wildflowers I had taken while in Sicily a few years ago ...I just HAD to paint it!
I remember standing above this long hill and vista, overlooking the hotel of Casalicchio --- and seeing these wonderful pink/purple flowers mixed with yellow wildflowers and wheat and mixed grasses .....
This image, and painting, returned me to my beloved Italy ...
I remember standing above this long hill and vista, overlooking the hotel of Casalicchio --- and seeing these wonderful pink/purple flowers mixed with yellow wildflowers and wheat and mixed grasses .....
This image, and painting, returned me to my beloved Italy ...
Monday, May 19, 2008
Egret At Magnolia Gardens
While walking through Magnolia Gardens a number of weeks, ago, we spied this glorious egret getting ready to pounce on a bit of dinner. We quietly snapped photographs and thought what a neat painting it would make.
I took most of the day yesterday to give this a try. I had masked the egret and the grasses wonderfully -- and had painted almost everything. When I uncovered the egret, the masking turned the paper yellow (Arches 140 cp/masquepen) .... I tried to scrub out the yellow -- but it didn't work. Talk about being crestfallen!! So I painted the egret in watercolors, and then added a bit of gouache for the highlights.
It's back to work again -- another busy week -- first day of summer session, a tour with 15 folks to a distant garden, dinner with a friend I hadn't seen in a while, and those ever-present reports!
Have a great week!
(Done on a quarte sheet Arches #140cp)
PS -- The foliage colors are those you suggested, Keith!
I took most of the day yesterday to give this a try. I had masked the egret and the grasses wonderfully -- and had painted almost everything. When I uncovered the egret, the masking turned the paper yellow (Arches 140 cp/masquepen) .... I tried to scrub out the yellow -- but it didn't work. Talk about being crestfallen!! So I painted the egret in watercolors, and then added a bit of gouache for the highlights.
It's back to work again -- another busy week -- first day of summer session, a tour with 15 folks to a distant garden, dinner with a friend I hadn't seen in a while, and those ever-present reports!
Have a great week!
(Done on a quarte sheet Arches #140cp)
PS -- The foliage colors are those you suggested, Keith!
Sunday, May 18, 2008
The Oak in the Cemetery
After sitting so long listening to music, we decided to walk a bit -- our walk took us to this charming cemetery next to where the bands were performing. I fell in love with the huge oak tree that bordered the cemetery and the performance site, and so sat under the shade of a magnolia tree and sketched the quiet scene while still being able to listen to the bands.
Quite a peaceful, terrific day!
Quite a peaceful, terrific day!
Boys from Carolina Band
The Blue Grass Festival was fun!!! It was a small event, a fund-raiser for a local Ruritan Club where my husband sings each month -- so the crowd was small -- which to me, was rather nice! The weather couldn't have been better ... warm, sunny, a good breeze. I sat in the sun (even got a bit of pink to my winter skin) -- and attempted to sketch the musicians.
Here's the group "Boys from Carolina" - fabulous voices and great music. Again, these sketches point out how much work I must do to include people in my landscapes!
We ate at the festival, chatted with some folks -- and thoroughly enjoyed the day.
Here's the group "Boys from Carolina" - fabulous voices and great music. Again, these sketches point out how much work I must do to include people in my landscapes!
We ate at the festival, chatted with some folks -- and thoroughly enjoyed the day.
The Wells Family Band
This group of talented family members -- three female children, mom and dad, had the most incredible voice range and talent and instrument playing!!! They were incredible!!! Their acapella rendition of the Star Spangled Banner that closed the show brought everyone to his feet and tears to our eyes.
I haven't practiced sketching people this year (one of my goals I've let go) -- and this attempt shows me I must make it a priority soon!!!
I haven't practiced sketching people this year (one of my goals I've let go) -- and this attempt shows me I must make it a priority soon!!!
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Daisies by the Shed
After a brief rain yesterday, the sun returned, though it played "peek-a-boo" with the clouds ...
As I walked around the property checking to see what was blooming, this cluster of daisies (I should have drawn them larger!!) caught my attention as they danced alongside my planting shed. I grabbed my stool and sat ouside to capture a bit of the light and those cheerful flowers.
Today we're off to a Blue Grass Festival ...
As I walked around the property checking to see what was blooming, this cluster of daisies (I should have drawn them larger!!) caught my attention as they danced alongside my planting shed. I grabbed my stool and sat ouside to capture a bit of the light and those cheerful flowers.
Today we're off to a Blue Grass Festival ...
Friday, May 16, 2008
Charleston Container
There were so many container gardens in Charleston -- and each of them so beautifully, artfully, and creatively put together.
But one flower seemed to dominate them all -- and it surprised us -- the snapdragon! We found them, as in here, in a yellow, pink, orange combination. In other containers -- white, red, yellow ... they seemed to be EVERYWHERE! And far taller than the varieites we've grown at the Arboretum.
With our recent drought and with the emphasis lately on conservation, we brought back many ideas for containers that we'll be considering for our own gardens!
But one flower seemed to dominate them all -- and it surprised us -- the snapdragon! We found them, as in here, in a yellow, pink, orange combination. In other containers -- white, red, yellow ... they seemed to be EVERYWHERE! And far taller than the varieites we've grown at the Arboretum.
With our recent drought and with the emphasis lately on conservation, we brought back many ideas for containers that we'll be considering for our own gardens!
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Early Olives
Earlier this week, Mike (http://www.flickr.com/photos/artist_naturalist/) suggested I try to blend some of my foreground into the background.
I also wanted to create a 'soft' image -- I'm finding lately that with all the greens around me, I have a tendency to paint darker and darker and sometimes, in my opinion, I can easily get a bit carried away.
So here's my attempt at a soft, blurry kind of a treatment for this olive branch. It's a bit early in the development stage of the olives -- they're en route to maturing to the black olives I love.
I'm thinking there are enough value changes here -- that the 'darks' are dark enough .... you think?
I also wanted to create a 'soft' image -- I'm finding lately that with all the greens around me, I have a tendency to paint darker and darker and sometimes, in my opinion, I can easily get a bit carried away.
So here's my attempt at a soft, blurry kind of a treatment for this olive branch. It's a bit early in the development stage of the olives -- they're en route to maturing to the black olives I love.
I'm thinking there are enough value changes here -- that the 'darks' are dark enough .... you think?
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
IOP Dunes and Sundrops
While visiting Charleston, we had an opportunity to visit the exquisite beach area of the Isle of Palms. I raised my children there many many years ago, and walking the white sands, listening to the seagulls, splashing a bit in the Atlantic was almost a 'homecoming' for me.
In the dunes, a cluster of Sundrops was in full glory, and I captured it on film to paint.
I brought home a few seashells, all the while remembering Ann Morrow Lindberg's treasure of a book "Gift from the Sea" and feeling very much like she must have when she wrote it ....
In the dunes, a cluster of Sundrops was in full glory, and I captured it on film to paint.
I brought home a few seashells, all the while remembering Ann Morrow Lindberg's treasure of a book "Gift from the Sea" and feeling very much like she must have when she wrote it ....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)