Yarrow Dragonfly

I finally caught a dragonfly lighting on my yarrow! We have many varieties flitting around, but they are so fast, and start at my slightest movement, it is hard for me to sketch them!  The color has faded a bit on these blooms, but they continue bravely despite our summer heat!  The original plants are from my mom's garden in the house I grew up, in Overland Park.  Moved here many years ago, I have moved them around the yard, spreading their beauty.  With ink and watercolor I paint this in miniature, only 3x3 inches of handmade cotton paper.  I'm going to have so many paintings of my gardens at summer's end!  Painting number 2750 in 2750 days.

Bees in the Flowers

This Queen's Lace Achillea has been in my family for three generations.  My mother had it first in the home I grew up in, she brought some to my grandmother before moving, and now I have spread it around the yard.  The color and fern like foliage are gorgeous, and the bees and butterflies love it!  I'm working a little larger today than I have for a while - and it was harder!  Using a new paper, it was thinner than expected, and the sizing seemed lighter than normal.  Each batch is different when they are handmade.  Love capturing this bed of flowers in ink and watercolor!  Painting number 2716 in 2716 days.

Butterflies in the Yarrow

Butterflies in the Yarrow
Watercolor on paper, 7x10.5

The purple yarrow in the front flower bed is bursting with blooms today!  Unable to resist the beauty - I am trying this in watercolor.  I'm not quite sure how I feel about this one.  I like the flow and the colors, but I am missing the texture of the thick, buttery oils today - or maybe even the molding paste and acrylics.  I have been working in watercolor for two complete weeks, and perhaps it is time to start mixing it up a bit.  This day was very busy - Tuesdays and Fridays are the hardest workout days at the gym, and I followed that with three hours of pool/garden work outside.  Then, I finally found a painting window (instead of eating) before I need to head out to Michael's baseball game.  I guess I could just be tired - it will be a welcome relief to sit in a chair and watch Michael play ball for two hours!  I'll look at this again tomorrow, and try to paint a little earlier in the day!  Painting number 540 in 540 days :)