Pink Hyacinth

I adore the fragrance of hyacinth, and the sweet scent of this forced bulb wafts through the whole downstairs.  This bulb is very thirsty, I am adding water every day as I see new blooms starting to rise.  When this lovely is past her glory, I will plant her in the garden to continue for all the years to come.  I love the very timeless nature of these bulbs.  With ink and watercolor I capture first bloom in our farmhouse on handmade cotton paper.  It's a small ATC size to match my very small painting window tonight.  Some days are so busy I can't find my way to my easel until almost bedtime. I'm hoping for an easier day tomorrow.  Painting number 3344 in 3344 days. 

Hyacinth Bee in Ink

Hyacinth Bee in Ink
Pen and ink on paper, 5x7

Oh, the hyacinths are fading fast!  It seems that they just popped their heads up, and now it is time for them to vanish until next spring!  This year, I am going to plant some closer to the house, so their intoxicating fragrance will waft in through the windows!  It has been so warm this spring, I’ve had the windows open repeatedly - which is not the norm!  I have tried my hand today on this honey bee - arresting his flight at an interesting angle!  I started adding little "flight dots", and I think it adds some whimsey to the drawing......but I'm still not sure.  I love the vintage charm the pitt pens lend to this style of art!  I think my superfine is beginning to run low, which is not a crisis since we now have a new Hobby Lobby in town!  Hooray!  This drawing makes the 1194th in 1194 days.  I hope the “mulch guys” bring me a truck load today, I could sure use it!!  Today, is my son Travis's birthday - now we've had three this week alone!!

Robin Nesting

Robin Nesting
Watercolor on paper, 9x6

This sweet robin is nesting in one of our trees, and today, I am capturing him with watercolor on 140lb cold pressed block.  I love painting on the blocks, and rarely use the single sheets of paper.  I think it is because I prefer a rigid surface - like my masonite and wood for my oils and acrylics, and the block holds it’s shape perfectly without any need to tape or clip down the paper (which is something I don’t like at all).  I feel a little rusty with this one, like I need to “brush up” on my watercolor bird painting......maybe I’ll do a few more birds until I feel comfortable again.  Painting number 1188 in as many days.

Hyacinth Hues

Hyacinth Hues

I found this pot of purple hyacinth at a local shop - and I could not resist picking them up for Easter!  The tight buds were just showing color then, but now they are in full bloom!  I look forward to planting these beauties outside my kitchen windows - so every spring from now on, I’ll be able to enjoy them again!  I have painted this entire painting with one large round Pro Arte watercolor brush, and never even thought to pick up another!  Painting number 1187 in 1187 days.

Hyacinth in Pink and Blue

Hyacinth in Pink and Blue
Watercolor on paper, 5x7

I have some amazing hyacinth that return every spring, bursting with blooms.  They are in a flower bed far from the house, and one that is now mostly raspberries - and still they pop up with very little care from me!  I love the smell of them - and each spring, the blooms fill the house with their sweet fragrance.  Tonight, these blooms are in front of me, sitting in a tall, slim, crystal vase.  I have decided to zoom in on them, concentrating on the colors and abundant flowers radiating from the stalks.  I’m letting the whites define the space between blooms, I like the way the paint melts into the paper, some edges soft while others are hard.  I am really enjoying this return to watercolors, if only for a little while, as plein air season soon arrives!  Painting number 1186 in 1186 days.

Hyacinth and Bee

Many years ago, I planted these glorious pink hyacinth.  Every year they are among the first bloomers in the garden - and their fragrance is so heady!   I don't think I've ever painted them before,  so today I am doing so with my watercolors.  I am using very wet paint, and dropping in stronger pigment to mingle and move where it will.   This is the beauty of watercolor, unpredictable and free flowing.  I hope to paint several of these hyacinth before they vanish for another year.   This painting makes the 1185th in 1185 days.

Hyacinth and Bee
Watercolor on paper, 9x6