Signs of summer

The robins are back this summer to build their nest in the big spruce tree.  Their arrival coincided with the arrival of a super crop of dandelions.  I spotted this pair outside the kitchen window.  They were hopping among the dandelions listening for worms brought out by the rain. Sure signs that summer is on it's way.
This is one of a bunch of little paintings that I was not happy with. After a lot of thinking, I decided to try and fix the ones I was discouraged by.  Walking away from them was an option, but it wouldn't teach me anything or help me become better in the future. I didn't like the background of this one - it was too light and the flowers didn't show up.  So I darkened the grass.  Then I realized that the birds' legs were wrong in some way. They bend back and not forward so I washed them out and repainted the grass and the legs. I like it better now and I learned that not everything in watercolor is irreversible.  Mistakes can be fixed.  I just need to be observant and unflinching in the analysis of what's not working, and creative in how to fix it.

Gather ye roses...

Lots of rain and sunshine colluded to create this Hansa rose bush bursting with blossoms.  There are so many that the branches droop gracefully under the weight.  The air is full of scent and the buzzing of the bumblebees as they stagger around from flower to flower almost drunk with the pollen.  There was even a hummingbird who was drawn in from who knows where by the intoxicating aroma. This is one of the reasons that I really love to garden.  Sometimes the world can be an ugly place, but the garden reminds us of the beauty and diversity all around us.


Watercolor and micron pen.

Spring plantings

Last weekend, I had a little rant about how awful the weather was.  I spent that weekend huddled up with blankets and hot chocolate.  There actually was a small window of opportunity on Saturday morning before the snow and wind started.  We went to our community garden, and dug up the soil and, throwing caution to the blustery winds, we planted a few rows of seeds.  What a difference a week makes! This week the sun came out and this weekend we were out without shoes or socks or jackets.  We sat out on the deck and barbecued for supper and soaked up the sun. I hope the vegetable seeds did the same. Later this week, the weather will return to seasonal temperatures, but for now it felt so good to get a little sun on our pasty white, winter-weary skin.  Nothing makes you appreciate spring like a long, sunless winter.
In a little while, I hope to be harvesting those plants that I can only draw right now.
Watercolor in the HandBook sketchbook.

April Showers

Winter came early and stayed late.
It's time for it to move on.
Let spring have its moment.

There are a few signs of spring around here - the hares have turned brown, the tulips are poking leaves up, the rhubarb has tiny orange nubbins, and I have heard the robins singing.

But I can't wait any longer. I need color and flowers and so I resorted to purchasing them. These Gerbera daisies begged me to take them home and paint them.  They provided some welcome cheeriness.

Tomorrow the temperature will drop and we will have snow flurries - if we're lucky it will be rain.

I will try to keep the memory of these vibrant flowers in my heart until the sun decides to shine again.

Ink and watercolor in the HandBook sketchbook.