Scallion Plants

 

It's fun to sketch the progress of scallion starts from the kitchen as they grow into plants I can use again and again!  I found the little green mason jar starter for green onions with sprouting lids in a kit, and I HAD to try it!  It's as easy as saving the bottom inch of a green onion to slip into a well with water, and watch the magic happen!  I use a lot of these in cooking, and even grow one in my hydroponic garden.  But these, I should be able to transplant outdoors when it is warm enough, for a bountiful harvest that could even be perennial in my zone.  We'll see!  Maybe, I'll never have to buy them again, and can paint them when they all break out in glorious bloom!  Painting number 4786 in 4786 days. 

German Chamomile

 

After a crazy busy family day, I'm painting the German chamomile growing hydroponically tonight well after dark.  Just last month, these plants were bursting forth in a sheltered area near my herb garden.  I took two cuttings to try inside, because the blooms on this variety are very large and delicious.  They rooted well and this one is already in vigorous bloom!  The ferny foliage is also beautiful and tastes delicious in my salads.  So, I'm adding this beauty to my nature journal to chronicle it's transition to my indoor garden.  Painting number 4766 in 4766 days. 

Parsley Seeds

 

I was just sharing seeds with Rebekah when I only found one flat leafed parsley seed in my collection. The very next day I found this parsley plant growing in my garden!  It's been so warm and misty that many plants think spring is here! I brought it inside, hoping it will grow in my hydroponic system!  It's a little wilty now, but I sketched the leaves before the droop.  

In the new year I want to plant more, paint more, and fill out some of my sketchbooks, among other things.  So, here I am on day 1, ticking three of my boxes and pursuing a desire to sketch my own seed packets, too!  Yay for starting the year off right and having some family time with Tiffany and Gus, Tyler, Nolan, Quinn and Layne.  It's always a great day when those darlings come to play!  Painting number 5055 in 5055 days. 

Cosmos!

 

Another beautiful day in the garden, and I'm painting cosmos that are taller than I am!  Oh, how the pollinators LOVE them!  Tiffany, Michaela, Casper and Kirby joined me for a little ink and watercolor time today, as we played with our new Summer Fun palettes from Chubby Mermaid.  Tiffany painted a whole field of sunflowers, Michaela a single sunflower, and Casper painted so MANY paintings, starting with the sunflowers first!  I pulled out my journals to see what I need to do to complete them, and added a couple of entries to a brand new one, too.  I've been wanting to get to these cosmos blooms for days, and I'm so happy to finally get to them!  What a great day!  Painting number 5141 in 5141 days. 

Green Mustard Blooms

It's not spring, but my green mustard is bolting - so I'm painting their lovely blooms!  I am a winter gardener - growing many greens, tomatoes, peppers and more hydroponically.  After a wonderful trip to Florida, I have arrived home to find several green and one red mustard blooming in my absence!  Seeds are forming on the lower stalks, so I have them in the center of the table like a spring bouquet!  With ink and watercolor I capture these blooms on a miniature handmade paper. When the seed pods dry, I will scatter them in the front pasture - where I will paint their new blooms afresh by the barn!  Painting number 3703 in 3703 days. 

Marigolds ATC

I had every intention of completing several paintings today for special events coming up.  And then I went outside.  It was gorgeous!  With cool temps in the 70s, cool breezes and overcast skies, it was the perfect gardening day!  I could spend a few hours in the gardens and then return to my "to do" list. I just couldn't stop working until the sun was fading!  So, here I am, scrambling at the last minute to paint just one little floral starring these cheerful marigolds!  I'll just have to tackle those other paintings tomorrow, as the day heats up!  Painting number 1961 in 1961 days.

watercolor & ink on paper
purchase here

Queens Lace Yarrow ATC

These blooms take me right back to my childhood home in Overland Park.  My mother grew these in her flower garden, and I would tend to their needs, as I helped with the weeding.  Years later, moved some to her mother's house, my grandmother, now our home.  Isn't it amazing that a sweet little plant can span decades in a family?  Painting number 1960 in 1960 days.

watercolor & ink on paper, 3.5x2.5
purchase here