Into the Woods

Into the Woods
Oil on panel, 14x11
Overland Park Arboretum

I painted this one a couple days ago at the Arboretum - when the spirea were still full of blooms.  Its a good thing, too, because today most of those blooms were gone.  I returned to this spot today to paint one of the main gardens, and it took me all day - and I'm still not finished with that one!  On this painting, the light was overcast and moody, not too crowded, and I was hidden from the onlookers by a small potting shed.  A lovely day to capture a quiet mood with the spirea in all it's glory.  This painting makes 141 in 141 days, and I still have a couple others to take back and finish.  I think its back to the arboretum tomorrow......

Flowers for Abigail

Flowers for Abigail
Oil on panel, 11x14
Painting #132 in 132 days

As I arrived home, my thoughts remained on the events of the morning.  I found myself bringing in gerbera daisies which I had not yet put in the ground.  I pulled down Grandma Bessie's old glass pitcher, setting the daisies into it.  The white spirea are just coming into full bloom off the front porch, and I cut a few branches to arrange with the daisies.  After setting up the little still life, I put paint to panel, thoughts still on the morning.  As the brushstrokes made the painting, I found solace in this work.  These pink daisies are for little Abigail, with many prayers for her family.