The Beginning of Autumn

 

 Hi there,

       

Today, I am writing this post on my iPad. I had doubts about it ever happening. But Blogger, with its new interface, has finally plunged into the 21st century. 

     

Fall has arrived and everywhere you look you can catch a glimpse of gorgeous colours with hints of    more to come. It’s such a beautiful time a year. Certain garden flowers that have been bleached out by the hot summer sun, are also enjoying a vivid revival.

 I never long for fall, and often lament the passing of summer, but at this point in my life, I enjoy fall almost as much as I do spring. 

“Autumn, the year’s last

loveliest smile.”

William Cullen Bryant 

Reeds swaying in the wind.

Goldenrod and Asters

Awhile ago, someone ask me what I keep in my desk drawers. I admire curiosity. As far as I’m concerned it makes the world go round. Anyway, maybe one day I will shoot a video tour of my little corner studio, although I am not sure I could make it interesting. In the mean time, here's a sneak peek. In drawer number two: tubes of watercolour paint. The gorgeous bright pink: Opera Rose. Not a lightfast paint but oh so lovely.

                                                           Candy pink hydrangeas. 

Moms and Roses

On a walk, I noticed this feather. It looked like it was floating.

I added a few more watercolour leaves to this painting. As you can see, there are real leaves here too. 

                                                                           

                                                                                                                                                         

The art cards I ordered arrived, so I printed some greeting cards made from a larger Calla Lily painting that sold awhile ago. I really like the matte finish on these cards.

 When I cut these watercolour gift tags out of watercolour paper and add splashes of paint, I am in relaxation mode.  Although messy, adding texture with salt, alcohol, and cling wrap adds to the fun.

'Til Next Time

Cultivate Your Dreams.

Linking to Link Parties via my link party page. Ladies, many thanks for hosting. 

Mixing It Up

Jan.14, 2020

Hi there,

I hope you all had a lovely holiday. We did and it flew by. Now back to reality with plans for
painting, hiking, knitting and reading to add creativity to the hours and bolster the spirit.

Checking over last year's reading list, I didn't read as many books as I hoped, but I so enjoyed the ones that I did read. Cold Earth by Sarah Moss stands out in my memory, along with the very popular A Gentlemen in Moscow by Amor Towles. And Pachinko by Min Jin Lee was a definite eye opener.
Several more come to mind, but I will leave it there for now.  Since I am always on the outlook for good books, I'd love to hear what you enjoyed reading.

Feathered Friend

A bunny recently passed this way.

From the oasis corner.

In case you missed it, yesterday was national clean your desk day. That makes me laugh although I can make a hot mess in no time, and since I have limited space, I find it difficult to paint if things get out of hand.

So to help tame the upcoming chaos, I raced off to Ikea to buy a set of office drawers which hold, among other things, my watercolour paintings. 

 Although I drew the mistletoe and wreath, I must credit the wonderful botanical painter, Billy Showell, whose free you tube videos I watched as I tried to mix and match her colours.

A trillium line drawing added to my list of flowers to paint.

Recently, I also bought drawers for my pastels. Unfortunately the width of the drawers are too small for Unison pastels, but the Rembrandt's fit nicely.
So this year, among other things, it’s all about organization. A place for everything and everything in its place. 

'Til next time...

Cultivate Your Dreams

Linking to:  Our World Tuesday

                    My Corner of the World

                    Friday Bliss

Hello Spring

Hi there,

Yesterday was the first day of spring. And late last week three feet of snow fell; it will be awhile before we see blossoms like these, but, hey, a girl can dream. The good news: each day brings with it twelve hours of daylight.

A snowy white world.

Recently, I was hanging out at a bird feeder, but most of the birds were too fast for me and my camera. Since I can't take pictures with gloves on, my hands were freezing but I enjoyed watching my feathered friends.
*

The robins have arrived and they look bewildered because of the snow. I saw two pecking at old berries. If the temps stay above zero, hopefully the snow will melt soon and they can get to the business of feeding on succulent worms. In the meantime, they could use some help. As far as I know they will eat raisins, apple slices, berries and the pet stores should have meal worms for sale.

A Starling tries to get a big mouthful of seeds. Obviously, he thinks he can snip the wires with his beak, or maybe he's just angry because he's hungry.

I emailed a few photos and a photo of a painting off to Vistaprint to have stickers and this calendar made. Not quite the calendar I had in mind, but it will do for this year. In case you are thinking of getting stickers ( not shown) made from photos, the high gloss are very nice.

WIP ~ A Botanical Blue

The mess on the desk. Yes, I've been drawing aliens too. Meet Srinda and Zelgog.

Apparently radio signals have been coming in from a certain area in the Milky Way. Speculation is rife. So far I've heard it may be from a neutron star (Hence the star in my cartoon drawing), stellar bursts, etc. etc. Further speculation:  the signals may be from a planet in the Goldilocks zone ( not too hot, or to cold).  All that info made my head hurt and drove me to doodle aliens. :^)

"Spring has returned.  The Earth is like a child that knows poems."-Rainer Maria Rilke

And . . . from yours truly.

Cultivate a dream.

Thanks for reading along.  Have a lovely week . . .