Colors of Autumn

We have come to the end of the coldest, wettest summer on record here in Calgary.  To add insult to injury, the rest of the country sweltered through one of the hottest summers on record.  Due to surprisingly cold overnight temperatures, the leaves turned early, in some cases causing odd things to happen.  Take these leaves for example.  They are poplar leaves, which usually turn an even smooth yellow color with little variation.  These however, got slightly frost-nipped before they were ready to turn, giving some really interesting colors and patterns.  The inside yellow color actually mimics the shape of weeping birch leaves.  The pay off for the summer that never was is that the leaf colors are the most brilliant I have seen in many years.  The trees glow as if lit from within.  It's especially dramatic against the gray, brooding skies.
Do you remember starting school in the fall when you were a kid?  In elementary school almost the first thing we did every year was gather leaves to draw and color.  I still love doing that, and it still reminds me of being a child when every thing was beautiful and everyone was an artist.
Watercolor pencils in Moleskine.

EDM 280 - Draw a teapot

I call this teapot The Persian Princess teapot.  The combination of the rich, jewel-toned colors always makes me smile.  The actual teapot is the green part.  When the tea is ready, you lift up the teapot and pour tea into the bottom cup.  It's a cute invention.   If you are called away from your desk, put the teapot back on top and it will keep the tea in the cup warm.  Very handy!  It's fun to drink tea out of, and very fun to draw, but sadly there's not much else to say about it.  Watercolor pencils in the Moleskine sketchbook.

Whooping Cranes

This whooping crane lives at the zoo here in Calgary.  They are still an endangered species, although they have returned from the brink of extinction.  In 1941, there were only 16 of them.  Now there are 200 in the wild and that many again in captivity, thanks to carefully managed breeding programs.  Their breeding ground is in northern Alberta and the Northwest Territories, then they migrate down the coast to North America to the Gulf of Texas.  That's an amazing journey.
Pictures and more info at National Geographic
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/whooping-crane/

Watercolor on Canson 140 lb paper

EDM 1 - New shoes

I thought I'd share my cute new shoes with you.  They are pink suede shoes, and the sides are open mesh, very cool on so many levels.  They are Merrills and offer very good arch support.  That's important whether you are coping with a 3 hour shift at the library circulation desk, or a day trip to Zihuatenaho on your next visit to Mexico. (I like to think ahead!)

I believe that, whenever possible, you should start September with a new pair of shoes. That's what most of us did when we were kids and that laid the foundation for the rest of our lives.  New shoes, new school year, new  start.

Happy September!
Watercolor pencils in Moleskine sketchbook