Butterflies and Sunflowers

The butterflies and bees are all over these wild sunflowers - and so much fun to watch as I paint!  I even spotted a little worm inching up a stem, and if you look very closely, you'll see him too!  What started as blue skies, clouded over by the time I finished, but still no rain for us.  It's so incredibly dry here that I am watering again, just to keep this going.  Surely, we'll get a good rain soon!  Painting number 5148 in 5148 days. 

Stella D'Oro and the Bee

The very best thing about Stella in the garden is her long bloom time.  A reblooming daylily, this one has an extended bloom time.  And that cheerful bright yellow is a real show stopper in the beds!  Shorter and more compact that my tall vintage ones, I place these towards the front of my beds.  Working larger, I first ink my composition, adding in the watercolor afterwards.  I had every intention of washing in a dark background to represent the shadows, but I hesitated.  So, if in doubt, don't.  I'm not sure if that was the right decision, I may just do another in that way.  Painting number 2718 in 2718 days.

Back Path to the Scout

I refilled one of my favorite pens with my favorite ink, and drawing was sheer joy today.  I LOVE the velvety blackness of Levenger Raven Black ink, and the way it spreads with water is unmatched.  I have tried many, many inks, and none even come close.  My preference has so much to do with the paper I use.  I only use 100% cotton rag, rough finish normally.  It takes a very rich ink to lay down on a paper like that.  The combination is my drawing haven!  LOVE getting lost in my work!  Painting number 2256 in 2256 days.

purchase here

Almost Ready to Ride

purchase here

Thinking ahead to a Kansas City Parks show at the Buttonwood, I am sketching out this horse team and wagon in ink, thinking of doing it in oils.  Refilling my favorite fountain pen with my favorite ink - Levenger Raven Black - it feels good to play in the ink.  A complicated scene, I also use Pitt pens for light sketching marks before committing to the deep dark ink.  I only do this when I feel the need to keep control of my lines.  I may return to this to wash out the background trees... maybe.  Painting number 2254 in 2254 days.