Cosmos!

Garden inspiration is on the easel today and rhe bees on my cosmos have captured my heart!  I grew them last year, the first time in years, and fell in love with their airy habit and cheerful blooms that required little from me during busy days.  I saved seed, but didn't need to, because many volunteers have popped up where I had them last.  So, I've been moving them to almost every bed in the hope that they will bloom profusely and pop up again next year.  The busier I am, the more I lean on the vigorous growers in my gardens to do the heavy lifting. I also spotted a rare pink lily at the local nursery today, and I may just have to go bring that home, too!  Painting number 4942 in 4942 days. 

Bumblebee and Sunchokes

The bumblebees LOVE the blooms of the sunchokes - so, of course, I HAD to paint them!  As I worked in my gardens today, the butterflies and bees were constantly on these blooms.  Once I got the chance, I did a small painting before the light was gone. It seems I am forever in a race with the sun!  This plant actually makes Jerusalem artichokes under the ground!  Painting number 4328 in 4328 days, and day 8 of the 30 day #stradaeasel painting challenge.

Bee and Zinnias

 These beautiful yellow zinnias called and called while I painted a larger view of this bed!  With 10 minutes left, I jumped into this quick paint - because I had to paint this view before meeting my watercolorist friends!  These tiny bumblebees really liked these zinnias - and I enjoyed getting to paint them!  With ink and watercolor I sketched as fast as I could and met the others before most of the group had gathered!  It was nice having my mom join me today in the gardens - the Overland Park Arboretum is always a joy to stroll through!  Painting number 2807 in 2807 days. 

Bumblebee and Hollyhocks

Oh it felt so good to paint pick up my oils again!  It seems I've used ink and watercolor most of the month, but these blooms begged for oils! I was out painting this when my phone reminded me of the acrylic pour workshop!  Not quite done, I returned today to knock in those pops.  With artistic license I repositioned blooms, adding one of the bumblebees that are so interested in the gardens now!  There are a few more clouds today, but that light was already in.  Now I wish I had painted this larger!  Painting number 2724 in 2724 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.

Bee and Hollyhocks

I love the way bumblebees hover in the air, with their legs dangling, just before climbing into the flowers.  So tonight, I am inking my composition with India ink, following with watercolor and a little fountain pen ink.  I like the gentle spread of the last ink, used at the finish to punctuate little areas.  I like that India ink in the beginning, as it is well behaved, and allows me to draw with a sketchy, light line with a super fine nib.  It will move if dropped into wet areas, but not like the free flow of that Levenger Raven Black ink.  This paper is very thin, so I am mindful of the amount of water I use. If I'm not careful, those wet areas spread beyond their boundaries, and I'll lose the whites I'm trying to save.  Every painting is a lesson.  Painting number 1976 in 1976 days.

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Bee & Daffodils

Bee & Daffodils
Watercolor on paper, 7x5

Today I am playing with some loose watercolor strokes.  I first paint in my mass very wet, then drop in more color and allow it to mingle together within each wet mass.  The color goes where it will - and has a mind of it’s own!  I’ve been drawn to these watercolors the last few days - and the batik technique with rice paper is calling to me, too!  Little whispers at the edge of my mind, this is how it starts, and then one day the voice is very loud and I can no longer resist!  All this, while I should be concentrating on figures all month long!  I think I’ll paint figures into April to make up for my wandering......painting number 1181 in 1181 days.

Buzzy Bee

Buzzy Bee
Acrylic on masonite, 5x5
purchase here

While waiting for Michaela to renew her license, I went browsing through a couple of the antique shops on Main Street.  The wonderful, old bumblebee was sitting on a sideboard, begging to be painted!  His pull string is gone, paint weathered and worn around the edges - but oh, SO full of vintage charm!  This little piece was a joy to paint!  I really love painting these old toys!  It is hard to believe I have not come to these little darlings before now!  I am still working with a limited palette, yellow oxide, indanthrene blue, cad red light, cad red medium, red oxide and alizarin crimson - and black and white, of course.  I did add a tiny bit of cad yellow light on the bright yellow of the wings, as yellow oxide just doesn’t get to the bright yellow of the plastic wings.  I adore the way that limited palette works for the bulk of these paintings.  It really leads to strong color harmony, and I am getting that vintage feel, too.  I have to thank the red oxide for that.  Love that color!   Painting number 1096 in 1096 days and day 2 of the current 30 Day Painting Challenge.