nature

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…

Haiku August 21, 2012 Plant a Seed

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From seed leaflets grow

Stalk rises up, new leaves sprout

A sunflower blooms!

Art Prescription:  The birds and squirrels share sunflower seeds in my garden. Fun to watch a new sprout grow about four feet tall and bloom a bright yellow sunflower. True to their name they do seem to be reaching for the sun. The real flowers are actually the tiny bits in the middle, and the yellow “petals,” are called rays. I did this plein air sketch in my garden. I’ve been taking an online class with Val Webb on watercolor lettering. A new tool for me is white ink!! So playing around I added some design in the background of my sketch. Try this in your sketchbook!

Haiku August 19, 2012 Walking in the Rain

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Iddy biddy frog

Rain chases from swollen stream

Jumps! into the grass!

Art Prescription:  I like walking in the rain, it’s peaceful. A long loop on an overcast, drizzly, Sunday suits me fine.  Our neighborhood path winds it’s way along the street, and because this land was once wetland we have a few easement ponds and streams. We have geese and ducks and turtles, herons, hawks, cattails. Along our way this morning we found a couple of – just from the tadpole stage – frogs. They are so cute!! Reminds me that nature always has a surprise!

Haiku August 18, 2012 Mason Farm

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A two mile farm walk

Plethora of wildflowers

Yellow Partridge Peas.

Art Prescription:   Today we walked our favorite nature preserve, Mason Farm. I’ve written several times about this magical place. You could visit once a week and see something brand new each time. There is such a variety of plant and animal life and habitats, from meadows to wetlands to hardwood and pine forest. Simply put it’s a spiritual sanctuary. On this walk we saw about five different kinds of  butterflies dancing from flower to flower. The meadows are glowing with yellow Partridge Peas and Wild Roses. Dragonflies, bumble bees, and birds dip past us as we make our way around the bend. Artists have long been lured by mystical grounds.