nature

Haiku September 11, 2012 Quiet Reverie

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Quiet day in thought

Back porch geraniums glow

Catch September light.

Art Prescription:  As much as I love fall and the cooler weather, I will miss my colorful blooming garden. So I spent today capturing my back-porch geraniums with watercolor and ink. This technique allows for expressive brush work. I use a brush designed for Chinese brush painting, just one brush. I stroke in impressionistic shapes, let that dry, and then go back in with pen and ink for a hint of detail. I think this is my favorite way to paint!!

Haiku September 9, 2012 Tree Frog

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Little green tree frog

Naps in cool shade, long leaf fronds

Waits for buggy night!

Art Prescription: Animal medicine this weekend has been frogs. From “Medicine Cards: The discovery of power through the ways of animals,” by Jamie Sams and David Carson, illustrated by Angela C. Werneke:

“Frog speaks of new life and harmony through its rain song. The deep tones of Frog’s ‘ribet’ are said to be a call to the Thunder Beings: thunder, lightning, and rain. The ‘ribet’ is the heartbeat that comes into harmony with Father Sky and calls for the replenishment needed. Call to Frog and find peace in the joy of taking time to give to yourself. A part of this giving is cleansing yourself of any person, place, or thing that does not contribute to your new state of serenity and replenishment.”

Haiku September 2, 2012 Praying Mantis

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Graceful, walks on stilts

Turns head, big eyes look at me

Prays, licks paws, cat-like!

Art Prescription:  An insect to love, Praying Mantis. They start off about the size of a mosquito, and grow to be several inches long. I once had the same Mantis live on my basil for about two months! At the time I wanted to write a book called “Manni in the Herb Garden,” a children’s illustrated guide to herbs. I found this bug fascinating to watch, and it’s true the way they lick their front limbs and clean their face it very cat-like. They turn their head in a way that gives them immediate personality. When I watered my basil this particular fellow would come up to the top of the plant to get a drink. There are so many things to find and observe in nature! And if you have time to sketch even better!

Haiku September 1, 2012 September

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September blue sky

Yellow-brown leaves spiral down

Nature heads for rest.

Art Prescription:  It’s still pretty hot out there. We rode bikes on Tobacco Trail today. Now grilling some fresh NC eggplant, squash, pepper, and onion, to go over a pasta with some NC feta cheese! There are subtle fall hints in the air. Nature is just a little more quiet, done with their big spring and summer jobs…ready for a bit of a rest. I love living in an area that has definitive seasonal change. It’s refreshing! Here is a painting that I started as a demo last weekend at my Art Prescription workshop.

Haiku August 31, 2012 Full Moon

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I sit in child’s pose

Aromatic coffee brews

Cup of warm wake-up!

Art Prescription:  I’m a ritualistic person. Maybe I’m boring, but I like my life to have a pattern, a familiar routine, creature and other comforts…it’s the small things that make daily life full of grace. Like, my husband always makes me coffee. When he hears my feet hit the floor, he hits brew, and I come downstairs in a half awake state to the gurgling sound of the drip machine and a waft of java aroma. I bend to the floor in child’s pose to wake up my muscles. At least one cat comes and claims me as theirs, licking my head.  My grandfather did the same for my grandmother. Her coffee would be waiting for her on their kitchen counter. Wonder how many years this ritual took place? Which leads me to the full moon. A good time for setting wishes.

Haiku August 27, 2012 Blue Willow

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Blue Willow china

Collectible favorite

Simply blue and white.

Art Prescription:  Are you familiar with Blue Willow, a china pattern from the turn of the 19th century? I have always loved the combination of blue and white. I’ve painted blue watercolor on white paper…and now am experimenting with white ink on a dark ultramarine blue background. Ooooohh!

Haiku August 26, 2012 Biking

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Wheels spin round and round

Legs pump up and down, movement

Wind whips through tee-shirt.

Art Prescription:  A perfect day for biking. Sam and I packed our bikes up and went over to the Tobacco Trail, a 7 mile ride on a paved trail past homes, roosters, kudzu, and wildflowers to downtown Durham. We sat and rested a bit, checked out the Cow Parade (artist painted cows for UNC Children’s Hospital), and then made our way back. Peaceful riding along chatting. We are so lucky we both like outdoor activities. I have to confess it’s hard for me to not incorporate art into many of our outings, “let’s go hike and sketch,” “let’s ride over to the garden and check out the exhibit,” “let’s take pictures for me to paint.” What’s that saying…you can take the girl out of the creative, but you can’t take the creative out of the girl.

Haiku August 23, 2012 Mind Power

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Mind creates a thought

Spirit listens, makes choices

Road block, end, new path?

Art Prescription:  Daily life creates many options for our minds to ponder. Whether it’s choosing to eat well and take care of our bodies, or something big like a major job change, I believe how we think at our core effects us deeply. Is the cup half full or half empty. If it’s cloudy,  is their a storm brewing or a silver lining. Does everything come with a judgement of bad or good? Or is it possible that some things just are…and don’t have a bearing on this one life we live here and now? Lots of philosophical questions to ponder…