My first iris is blooming three weeks early, one from a dear friend who's no longer in this world. I love how these blooms remind me of friends and family members, long after they are gone. Pen and ink in this traditional style is fun to return to. Like old friends, the pens wait for me, and reward me for the effort. Painting number 4853 in 4853 days.
Nothing smells as heavenly as lilac in bloom! I'm o happy to paint these beauties in the garden, especially after such contrary spring weather. Those early blooms are nipped, and some were only half nipped. I have sparse blooms on the tulip tree and lilac, but the clematis is early and robust! I even had my first iris bloom today, one given to me by Norma, a friend no longer in this world. Many of my flowers have come to me through family and friends, and each year I remember them fondly. Painting number 4852 in 4852 days.
I can always squeeze in a tiny painting, even on the busiest of days - and it's SO good for my soul! These sweet blooms are so like pansies, but smaller. I've only planted them a couple of times in all these years, when I've found them at a local nursery. Maybe I could pick up seed, for an early start indoors next year, ensuring that I have them again and again to paint in spring. Painting number 4850 in 4850 days.
I love painting wild mustard in bloom - especially near the barns! It's just getting started, and I'm happy to find that the horses don't eat them in the meadow! So, I will continue to have lovely mustard filled landscapes in the years top come! Painting number 4849 in 4849 days.
Forsythia and this old barn were meant to be painted! Years ago, I planted young forsythia sprouts over here, and now I can reap the rewards. Nothing is as snowy as this bush in spring, and this only makes me want to transplant more sprouts around the farm! Painting number 4847 in 4847 days.
This small pansy painting will be installed at Powell Gardens next week! Well, technically they are violas, but in the same family as pansies. I'm so surprised and happy that my pansies all survived the brutal weather. The blooms all fell off, but the green plants remained green, and now are pushing forth blooms again. I have a variety that I haven't yet painted, and I'm waiting for a few blooms on a plant before doing so. It's fun to work in the garden with the chicks out for playtime, and again in the evening as the big girls free range. I keep them herded together as any watchful mom would do! I hope to be painting them soon when my garden work subsides a little! Painting number 4846 in 4846 days.
I love the delicate color of these early blooms - and it's a joy to paint them! Too few are our daffodils this season, so I am cherishing every one. On this day, we have added a new horse to our family - Rebel. He's a sweet little addition to add on my birthday! I'm looking forward to painting him real soon - with Lady Belle. They are already best friends in the pasture! Painting number 4843 in 4843 days.
I hope you all had an Easter full of family fun - we sure did! Finally, a few late bloomers are opening up, and I'm happy to paint them. The whole family was out - even Michael (home from Orange, Texas) and Bill and Evelyn - just home from Arizona! We've been so busy getting ready for the arrival of Rebel tomorrow, that fencing has been the biggest priority. Our chicks are getting so big - and the kids all loved feeding them clover and grass! Painting number 4842 in 4842 days.
I think spring is a most magical season to paint in rural Missouri, and especially on our generational family farm. I wish Grandma Frank could be here to enjoy all that we have brought to this very special place. It is near and dear to my heart, and forever a place where I am truly grounded as one can only be with a lifetime of memories. Painting number 4841 in 4841 days.
Yay - a few of my late blooming daffodils have survived our crazy weather! SO many froze back to the ground with tiny buds, so these few are a big deal. I love to paint them, and await their reform all year long. Here's hoping there are more spring miracles to come! Painting number 4840 in 4840 days.
As the tulips begin to open, I simply must paint them! I am thankful for each one after the 10 degree weather of two weeks ago froze so many of my spring blooms just as they were hitting full bloom. These first tulips are short, but very fragrant and beautiful! Now, if I can just protect them from the expected storms! Painting number 4837 in 4837 days.
I simply love painting forsythia in the landscape! I planted another one today near the chicken coop! I especially like them at the corner of an outbuilding or corral or flanking an old fence post now unused. They spread at their base, so I can move them around the property, wherever I may someday want to paint. I will wait for my newest plant to grow, and one day paint my chickens in front of it! Painting number 4836 in 4836 days.
Sometimes, all I need is a little traditional pen and ink. The tactile feel of pen against paper as it lays down a line feels like meditation. Drawing brings me completely to the moment, observing every plane and angle. No fancy fountain pens for this one, I return to a favorite Pitt pen, India ink is a good option, that does not smear as I work. Many like microns for this line work, but I prefer the feel of the Pitt pen. In fact, I never use microns though I have many. Life's too short to settle for less. Painting number 4835 in 4835 days.
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.
