Florida Palms

Oh how delightful it is to sketch my brother's palm trees as I sit by the pool, drinking my morning tea! He has a very tropical lawnscape which is perfect for painting!  I'm running a few errands and doing a little shopping with Mom today while the boys are at work, so early sketching is important.  Mom lunches and naps on almost a schedule, which is also a great time for me to paint.  It seems I am always painting around someone else's schedule, lol. Painting number 5106 in 5106 days. 

Palm Study

What a pleasure to sit out and sketch on a warm, balmy morning!  After an early run and a leisurely cup of hot tea with fresh lemon, this was a treat! I didn't realize my favorite fountain pen was very low in ink, so I'm using another favorite pen that is loaded with Robert Oster's Thunderstorm. I leaned back in an Adirondack chair and looked upward to sketch this beautiful palm tree.  I love studying their shapes and colors, especially since I have to travel to paint them!  Little hummingbirds buzzed all around me as I worked, I was situated back against a lemon tree laden with blooms and fruit  one little bird studied me for several seconds, trying to decide if I was a flower or not!  So fun to experience summer weather in March!  Painting number 3374 in 3374 days. 
 

Citrus and Palm

As I sit on the tile in my bare feet, sipping hot tea with lemon fresh from the tree, I begin to sketch.  A few slices from the orange just picked, and I begin to add color.  The delightful sunny day is sweet reward for standing in the cold snow just a few days ago.  The light is so strong, the air so dry, I am definitely not in Missouri anymore!  What a joy to greet the morning like this.  All I need is a run and I am ready for the BIG GAME!!!!  GO CHIEFS!!!  Painting number 2592 in 2592 days.

Mesa Palm

Oh how I love the warm, sunny FEBRUARY days of Arizona!  This gorgeous palm sits out back, basking in that strong sunlight.  What a joy to shed boots and coats for this warmer clime!  As the quail dot in and out of the oleander shade, I watch and sketch.  It takes a little observation to shift my color palette from snowy winter to sunny desert - so on this first painting I get acclimated!  Painting number 2591 in 2591 days.