Lilacs!

 

After a fun day planting flowers with Gus, and playing outdoors with Michaela, Casper and Kirby, I find a little time to honor these beautiful blooms.  My old-fashioned lilacs are blooming - and I just HAD to paint them before heading inside!  Planted by my grandmother many years ago, I wonder if she ever dreamed I would one day be painting them each spring?  I remember her picking the fragrant blooms and bringing them into the house, where the rooms filled with their sweet aroma.  I was quite young, but I have such clear memories of the light on the blooms, and sticking my nose right into the flowers and inhaling deeply!  I'm so happy to paint these and relive sweet memories of days gone by.  Painting number 3753 in 3753 days. 

Saundra and Grandbaby

Saundra and Grandbaby
Graphite on bristol, 11x14
sold

Some pieces of artwork are sheer joy to complete, and this is one of those pieces.  During the very hectic holiday rush, picking up my pencils is like escaping from reality.  Deadlines loom, family heads my way, and the graphites are there to offer sweet release from real life.  Drawing this for a very special friend, it made the joy all the sweeter.  The love between grandmother and baby is so special, and with wisdom comes the knowledge of how short this time truly is.  It was a little tricky to get this drawing finished and delivered - without Saundra's knowledge!  But, the stars were aligned, and all worked out perfectly!  Using my favorite 8B watersoluable graphite, all is sketched, and filled in with just this one pencil.  Being watersoluable, I can take a gently wet brush and darken the areas I want. Once this is done, it is very hard to erase, so one must make sure you use this tool sparingly and with a steady hand.  Pressed paper tortillions are the finishing touch for smooth blending of all skin areas.  This drawing makes 756 in as many days, and Day 25 of the 30 Day Painting Challenge.