Redbud Butterfly

 

Grandmother's old redbuds are blooming, and i just had to paint the butterflies drawn to their vivid pink blooms!  I have a special journal that I'm sketching much nature into, and I'm hoping to paint all is my perennial favorites. We're busy working outside before some of the family head over - and i better get back to work!  I'm transplanting lillies, phlox and dame's rocket today! Painting number 5150 in 5150 days. 

Lilac and Butterfly

My lilacs are so late to bloom, I thought the freeze had nipped their blooms. But alas, they started showing color, and now are blooming!  The north side is a little bare, but the south is glorious and so very fragrant! These cloudless sulphur butterfly had just started visiting my flowers!  These lilacs were planted by my grandmother many years ago.  They were mature when I was just a child.  I can remember coming out with her to smell their heady fragrance when I was very small, pulling the blooms right to my nose to inhale deeply.  I think I get my love of growing all things from her.  I feel close to her in her garden, and hope she would love all that I've added though the years. Painting number 5148 in 5148 days. 

Fuchsia Zinnias and Butterfly

It was a gorgeous morning to meet artist friends at the Overland Park Arboretum to paint!  We're enjoying cool August days, and I was actually chilly when I headed out.  Michaela and her little ones joined me for some time in the train garden after this paint.  I am using the new metallic palette (Summer Fun) that I just purchased from Chubby Mermaid on Etsy, and adding shimmers to some of my masses. Wow, how it sparkles in the sun!  I think I'm going to have plenty of summer fun with these jewels.  What a lovely way to start the day! Painting number 5137 in 5137 days. 

Butterfly and Lily

 

This afternoon finds me painting in my flowers - in between the many garden tasks!  I have been told this variety of lily is very old - pre-civil war, in fact. I have them everywhere, and have only seen them in another old property  - the home of Amelia Earhart in Atchison, Kansas.  Very full and vibrant, the butterflies love them - and this cloudless sulphur danced among them today.  With only a tiny painting window, I am painting small today, 3x4, and the texture is very rough.  A bit of a challenge on a small piece, to be sure. The very best part of this size is that I am quickly done!  Painting number 5096 in 5096 days.