Bee in the Petunias

 

The bees seem undaunted by the heat as they buzz through the garden - and I'm happy to paint them in miniature!  This paper is buttery soft, and if I press too hard on the nib of my fountain pen, I could damage the surface.  I'm using a little Ocean Blue ink by Robert Oster at the edge, and a bright pink by Diamine to punch the watercolors a bit.  This is the only petunia I planted this year, after many years of not planting them.  I think this bed may be a little too hot, but the beesdon't mind.  Painting number 4994 in 4994 days.  

Swallowtail on the Sunflower

I love this time of year when the butterflies are abundant in the garden!  The sunflowers are blooming and I am painting in miniature on this bright and sunny day.  It's been close to 100 degrees for so many days in a row, that I've fully acclimated to the heat.  I'm completely comfortable in the shade for hours!  Good thing, because this heat wave is expected to last for another week at least!  Painting number 4992 in 4992 days 

Calendula Mini

 There is something so rewarding about growing flowers and plants from seeds! I love watching that first little sprout, and the first tiny leaves unfold!  Imagine my joy when that plant grows into this beautiful flower!  I hope to plant these outside, too, where I will paint them in glorious masses!  Painting 4988 in 4988 days. 

Butterfly on the Hydrangea

Hydrangeas are one of my favorite flowers in the garden, and truly a joy to paint!  Our recent rains have pulled the big heads down a little, but they still shine in the garden.  I've only a little time for painting today, so I choose a miniature paper in ATC size.  The butterflies serve as icing on the cake of these blooms, and I'm happy to capture the visitors in action!  After a full day of shopping with Mom, and an evening at the Peculiar Winery with the family, I'm ready to spend the weekend outside in the gardens - and squeeze in a painting or two!  Painting number 4959 in 4959 days. 

Monarch and Hydrangea

 

I've long admired gorgeous hydrangea, and now I'm painting my own!  I planted this Bobo hydrangea, because it was a nickname we had for our sweet lab, Beau.  It's now bigger than I am and full of blooms, and the pollinators have noticed!  It's fun to paint this beauty when once I only dreamed of having them on the lawn.  Painting number 4937 in 4937 days. 

Phlox

 

It was a wonderful day to celebrate the fathers in our family together!  The phlox are just starting to bloom, so a quick paint was in order before the day became too busy.  Working in miniature, this is ATC sized, which is perfect for a day when all the family is coming over!  I only wish my own dad was still here to celebrate with us.  Painting number 4919 in 4919 days. 

Cheerful Faces

 

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. 

Pink Rembrandt Tulip

 

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. 

Moon Cactus

 

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. 

Two Dafs

 

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.  

Rainbow's End

 

There's nothing like a tiny cheerful flower painting to end the day on a happy note!  Michaela and her family stayed over a couple nights in their camper, just heading home tonight.  It's amazing how quiet this house becomes after they leave.  We're so lucky the kids all live close so we can gather frequently!  Painting number 4767 in 4767 days. 

Squirrel Mini

 

I absolutely love the tactile feel of the glass nib as it glides over the cotton paper, pulling so slightly on the soft texture.  Each glass dip pen is different, too.  The extra fine ones actually tear at the paper, and the medium ones deliver a better flow of ink.  The squirrels have gotten so close to the house lately! They have given up trying to get in my bird feeders, so now they just hang out below them, cleaning up after the birds.  Nearly every time I go back to the bay window, I startle one in waiting.  After a gorgeous day full of outdoor chores, it's nice to get in a miniature painting!  Painting number 4753 in 4753 days. 

Moon Cactus

I come to my easel late tonight, after a gorgeous day spent outside gardening and painting the wood for the new garden gate.  At 64 degrees, I could hardly spend this January day another way with so many tasks piled up.  The cows, chickens and sunset were all calling out to be painted, but I just could not answer that call.  So, I choose this flashy moon cactus to paint, in honor of the bright full moon outdoors.  I am exploring what my fountain pen inks can do, on paper I do not like. These Diamine inks are very fluid, and mingle with water.  The colors separate with a will of their own, making each painting completely one of a kind.  When I don't have much time, I turn to a miniature ATC sized paper which I cut up from scrap paper, or papers that don't make the cut for my regular work.  It's the perfect way to use them in a playful manner, and see if perhaps a certain method could make them acceptable.  It's all about the process after all.  Painting number 4752 in 4752 days, just over 13 years for daily painting and posting.  Wowza. 

Santa and Meringue

Behind door number four of the Diamine Inkvent Calendar is this lovely warm brown ink called Smokey Tobacco.  If gives a vintage glow to this Santa drawing, as he cuddles Meringue, one of our Calico Princesses. Once quite yellow, she has gotten lighter as she matures, nearly white on her undercarriage and tail! I've used a matching glass dip pen, and I'm working on an unknown handmade paper.  I often tear up small pieces into miniature ATC size. This painting is number 4727 in 4727 days. 

A special thanks to all who stopped by to see my paintings at the Historic West Bottoms Holiday Open House last night!  It was a lovely evening to celebrate the West Bottoms community with artwork created during the Historic West Bottoms Plein Air event in May.  I've had so much fun exploring this historic area with paint. 

 

Santa and Chicken Mini

 

Day 3 ink in the Inkvent Calendar is Carousel - a vivid red pigment ink!  I LOVE the color - but it was SO HARD to wash off of my glass dip pen!! It's my first experience with such an ink!  A gorgeous red like this called for a Santa sketch - so I have drawn him with sweet Betsy, who is one of the first gens to jump on my lap!  I love the vivid color, but I prefer an ink that moves with water.  I had to actually scrub and use a brush to get the red ink off of that glass dip pen!  That's crazy!  Painting number 4722 in 4722 days. 

Chick's First Snow Day

 

Hooray!  It's Day 1 of the Diamine Inkvent Calendar, and Celestial Skies is the first ink!  I'm capturing the first snow for my chicks - and they don't like it!  With little wind, still the snow blew half way into their run.  After covering the east side, I swept out what I could and spread fresh wood mulch on top.  Once this was done, they ventured out from their huddle on the dry side to return to pecking, scratching and drinking.  I had heard chickens don't like the snow, and now I've seen it for myself!  The fancy dip pen pictured happens to also glow in the dark!  I'd forgotten that until I walked down the dark hall with it!  Painting number 4717 in 4717 days. 

Pumpkin Chick Mini

 

There's always time for a quick sketch with the chickens!  I've introduced a few pumpkins to the girl's run, and they don't quite know what to think!  Little Beans kept popping her head in, as if trying to figure out what I'm doing.  She's very nosy - and sassy - so she draws my eye quite frequently.  It's so fun to spend time with them, whether sketching them or holding them, rubbing their backs!  This painting is Now Showing at Powell Gardens and is my 4646th painting in 4646 days. 

Zinnias!

 

Sneaking in a quick sketch amid the endless garden work is my sweet reward!  With so much traveling this year, I've fallen behind in the garden.  So, I'm putting in countless hours in an effort to bring them all back to glory.  No small feat, as I know no bounds when creating spaces I want to paint!  As I finished this tiny painting, I felt restored and ready to tackle another bed! Painting number 4629 in 4629 days. 

Mustard Blooms

 

Who knew Green Mustard would have such beautiful blooms?!  I had been growing this hydroponically, and allowed the bolting plant to go to bloom to harvest the seed.  Wow!  What a show! The bloom stalks were so of of control that I snipped them off and set them in a vase to enjoy as cut flowers.  I can hardly wait to grow more of these delicious greens!  Painting number 5159 in 5159 days. 

Daffodils Mini

 

The last of my daffodils are blooming and I just had to get a quick sketch before they fade for another year!  This has been a truly glorious spring for them - I can't reminder a better one!  After another long day of gardening and housework, I am squeezing a tiny painting of these lovelies! Even the tiniest painting break rejuvenates me for the long list of chores ahead.  Thank heavens for these shiny moments!  Painting number 5155 in 5155 days.