What's more cheerful than painting pansies in the garden? Their happy faces greet me in the garden, reviving after the very cold weather. They are only very small plants right now, but I hope they flourish in the coming weeks! Painting number 4834 in 4834 days.
With a few tulips blooming in the garden, I'm capturing them in watercolor batik on rice paper! While many frozen spring blooms are re-emerging from the ground, a few tulip blooms are posing up, though they are short. It's the perfect thing to paint in this medium, where I can blur the background away and let their beauty shine. Painting number 4833 to 4833 days.
It's fun to spend a little time sketching with the girls, especially on a very busy day. Mom and I had Goodies with Grandparents with Layne this morning, and he was adorable - and so mannerly at preschool! I had to run to the Buttonwood Gallery, then girl time, and we finished with the Best Pet Show Ever musical to watch Gus in his second grade performance! After dinner with them, we returned to close up the coop and finish a few chores. It was 91 degrees today and it will only get to 56 tomorrow. Maybe, I'll get more painting done, then.... painting number 4832 in 4832 days.
The Lodge on Petit Jean Mountain is magnificent as one climbs up from the Cedar Falls Trail. I love hiking and sketching the trails on this mountain. Waterfalls and rocky bluffs dot the park, and I certainly need more time to sketch the beauty. I find those moments while family rests or at least stays in one spot for a while. It's been so many years since we've been here. Our young family were only 4 at the time - and now, two of our children brought their families here, so we were 13 with Mom. It seems like just yesterday we were here in this lodge enjoying a meal with both of my parents. Painting number 4831 in 4831 days.
I can not resist buying and painting a sweet moon cactus when I find one! They don't live longer than 2 or 3 years, as the grafted moon parts seem to fall after time. I still love them, and like to add them to a shallow cactus bowl for color. Painting number 4830 in 4830 days.
How beautiful the daffodils were before the cold snap. I didn't have nearly enough time to paint them. The heady fragrance and promise of abundance throughout the season was mine as I basked in their glory for a day. It was Beau's last day, and we spent it together among them. I thought I'd return home to them, but instead, both the daffodils and Beau are gone. I think every spring from now on will bring back the memories of this day. Painting number 4828 in 4828 days.
The falls along the Cedar Creek Trail are beautiful all along the water, if only I had more time! It's always fun to vacation with family, especially when we all like to explore. This creek is full of painting opportunities, and I am happy to squeeze in a quick sketch while the kids are resting. Painting number 4826 in 4826 days.
What a cool place to dig for crystals AND sketch! I've never been to a place like this, where the terrain is so full of crystals in all sizes and shapes. The kids were washing some of them down once we got back to the cabin, and they were gorgeous! It's actually like digging for buried treasure. Painting number 4825 in 4825 days.
The woods are so peaceful on Petit Jean Mountain, and I love spending a little time among the trees! This path leads down to a fishing pond tucked way back in the trees, which we discovered today. It will be a lovely place to sketch next time I get the chance. We hiked the Cedar Creek Trail (with everyone) and the Cedar Creek Overlook (with Mom, too) today. I saw SO MANY paintings along the creek. We're hiking the Cedar Falls Trail in the morning - and I know that will be a big treat! Painting number 4824 in 4824 days.
I love sketching the architecture of the famous Bathhouse Row in Hot Springs, Arkansas! The thermal springs run behind Bathhouse Row, and you can feel the water babbling out at multiple locations along the Grand Promenade. It's a beautiful walk through the wooded Hot Springs Mountain, with all trails leading back to this street. Each bathhouse is unique in architecture and flair, and all are lovely to experience. Painting number 4823 in 4823 days.
I love painting the first daffodils of spring - even if there's only time for a tiny painting! Their sunny yellow faces brighten any day, as the wind bobs their graceful heads. I've cast them over broader areas now, and I'm reaping the rewards as they open, one by one. The garden is simply alive with them now. Painting number 4821 in 4821 days.
The daffodils are simply breath taking in the garden today, as I spend this day saying goodbye to our faithful companion. He's been so weak, but still wanted to go out early to lay in some of his favorite spots. Thank God for a beautiful day, where we could stay outside in comfort. The new cats kept us company, Clyde laying nose to nose with Beau for hours. As he laid his head on my leg, I sketched this beauty loosely, and tried to gain strength from the garden on this very, very sad day. Twelve years just isn't enough time. Painting number 4819 in 4819 days.
The daffodils have absolutely burst forth in the last two days. It's a joy to paint them. So many different ones have opened up that I'm going to have trouble getting them all painted before they fade. Painting number 4818 in 4818 days.
There's ALWAYS enough time for sketching chickens - and they certainly like the attention! This Blue Jersey Giant has a comb that has folded over since the beginning. She's sweet and docile, giving me a little peep when she wants another bite of microgreens! I take in a tray each day and feed them from my lap. They love it, I love it, and every one gave me an egg again today! That's twice this week, and yes, it's still winter! Painting number 4816 in 4816 days.
Thank you Suburban Lawn and Garden for sharing your gorgeous greenhouse with a few artists today!! It was a glorious space to paint! If I already had the garden room I long for, this beauty would now grace a corner, ever at the ready for a quick paint. I had no idea the bougainvillea of hanging baskets could be trained into such a showstopper - and I will tuck this in the back of my mind for the day I can begin training my own. Painting number 4815 in 4815 days.
Sweet and sassy Beans is a Black Star beauty, and super fun to paint in my brand new Chicken Art Journal!! I started this in ink, but when I tried to move that ink with water, it did not move at all! Hardly any color deposited from my watercolor brush, so I moved to acrylics. I had limited colors in my travel kit, and found I needed more. They were not staying wet long enough to mix on the very porous paper. This sketchbook is going to be an exploration of mediums for this specific elephant poo paper, lol! Painting number 4814 in 4814 days.
