It's fun to paint the butterflies circling these sunflowers - even in miniature! I migrate to these blooms this time each year, and I can't get enough of painting them! The butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds love them, and add life to any garden AND painting! I'm using up some random pieces of watercolor paper on these minis, and it's a great use for them. When my time is short, Tis size fits my painting window perfectly! Painting number 4999 in 4999 days.
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.
The days are growing short and I missed my outdoor painting window! It's pretty cushy painting inside with a hot cup of strawberry cheesecake tea, though! I helped Tiffany work her PTO's t shirt booth at Back to School night, and arrived back home for Chicken Time. By the time my work was done, it was dark outside, so I an painting these beauties from my table tonight! The mosquitoes have returned with our days off rain, and I just didn't feel like battling them! We have less blooms this year, and I'm not sure if it's the heavy rains or the high heat stretch that has shortened their bright blooms. I'm happy to have a few to paint despite it all! Painting number 4979 in 4979 days
The rudbeckia is putting on a show - and the butterflies have noticed! Of course, I HAD to paint it!! These blooms really shine as the garden phlox begins to fade. Though I bought these at a local nursery, they grow wild in every meadow here and I move some up to the gardens each fall. I think this variety has a slightly different shaped bloom than our locals, the brown center more of a ball with dropping petals. I think the others are flatter, somehow. I'll have to check that out tomorrow, because they are also in bloom! Perhaps I should also paint this in oils to see how different they would look! Painting number 4978 in 4978 days.
What a beautiful day to spend in the garden - among the sunflowers! A cool front moved in and we're only in the 80s today - so I spent most of the day weeding near the sunflowers. I planted some rose moss and portulaca to fill in a couple of spots, and have many cosmos volunteers that I'm thinking of transplanting them to other beds. Could they possibly make full bloom before frost?!! These beauties will quickly fade and then the birds will start pecking out the seed. I'm happy to paint them while I can, they have suffered in our extreme heat. Painting number 4976 in 4976 days.
Sometimes all I need is pen and ink. There is something so natural about picking up a pen, feeling the contact as I pull out across the paper. I'm using the old techniques here, no water soluble inks, only gradient shading with lines and dots. A sketchbook forgotten with paper much smoother than I use now, still serves well for the old methods. Like coming home to an old friend, drawing takes me right back to my roots as a little girl, where I spent countless hours creating with endless paper and supplies. Who knew I would love this forever? Painting number 4972 in 4972 days.
I love painting the cool zinnias that pop up from saved seed! LOVE that awesome peach color on those unruly petals! I save seed over the years, often gathered on trips to special places. These might have come from St. Charles, near the Boone Lick lodging. I also have red ones in the garden, and I hope to paint them soon with butterflies around them! Painting number 4971 in 4971 days.
I love the process of painting sunflowers! Each brushstroke describing the turn of a petal is like magic, and the painting slowly unfolds. Even on these hot days pushing towards 100 degrees, it is a joy to paint in the garden. I'm so thankful for all the grows on this fertile land. Painting number 4970 in 4970 days.
Beautiful roses are meant to be immortalized in paint - how could I resist painting them?!! The rich dual coloring on each petal is gorgeous, and so unusual! Cut bouquets don't last for long, but this painting will live on forever! Painting number 4966 in 4966 days.
I love painting the world that surrounds me, even in miniature when my painting window is tiny. These little moments stolen in the garden are my reprieve from the weeding and constant cleaning that comes with many flowers. Each is a beauty to behold, and the insects that cling to them are so very interesting, too. As the butterflies dance, they won top billing over the tiny snail on a leaf. Perhaps he'll appear in a later sketch! Painting number 4958 in 4958 days.
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.
Some days, it is nearly dark before I get to my easel. It feels so good to finally squeeze in that painting! I only have a few of these plants this year, but the red is definitely a favorite! They all seem a little slower this year to take off, but they are finally showing some color now. I found a few more starts in the garden today, and an already looking for their special spots! Now is better sign off before I fall asleep - it's been a very, very busy day. Painting number 4935 in 4935 days.
Painting zinnias always reminds me of Grandma Bessie! She introduced me to these beauties the first season I helped her in the garden, all those years ago. I remember the giant red zinnias the most, as we dropped seed into a long, shallow row in front of her irises. I helped prepare the area, with her guidance, and she would often have something to eat in the kitchen when we were finished. Sometimes, I'd fun to Sonic for tenderloin sandwiches - a favorite for her and Jewel. What memories return each year with the flowers. Painting number 4934 in 4934 days.
Impressions of my garden phlox are on the easel as the light fades in the garden. The fragrance is heady at night, rich in the air on the front porch. We had a lovely Baby Sprinkle for Michaela and Robin today at Hannah's, and it was amazing. Rebekah came up with a delicious Fairy Tale themed menu with special mocktails, as all the girls made the day special. It was a lovely reprieve from the Big 250 year Independence Day celebration yesterday. I'm so thankful the girls carried the load today because I was beat after the week's preparations, cooking and cleaning. Best family ever! Painting number 4933 in 4933 days.
The rudbekia is blooming and the bees are buzzing! I love how these blooms have spread all over the fields, and they are lush in this year of heavy rain. We're headed to Raymore's Independence Celebration, and enjoying it with Mom, Danny, Jacob, and Michaela's family, too. Painting number 4932 in 4932 days.
