Mist rises above
Earthy forest air. Autumn!
Rain slides off a leaf.
Art Prescription: A wonderful rainy fall day!! House cozy, time for fluffy socks. My idea for this watercolor sketch was bamboo. Working with a color loaded brush on a slanted watercolor block, I dripped blue and green. From there this forest took on a life of its own…
Fall gourds and pumpkins
Bring color and homemade pies
To September homes.
Art Prescription: Fall color has to bring out the artist in you! Gourds, pumpkins, and fall bouquets add a dash of orange and red everywhere. Bring a fall still-life home and sketch it…now add watercolor…open the windows and breathe fresh air!
Jet black Sumi-ink
Brush strokes capture the essence
Moment on paper.
Art Prescription: I went to a Chinese Brush Stroke class today at the NC Botanical Garden taught by Alice, her American name. With a gentle demeanor she demonstrates the ancient art of brush painting. She teaches us it’s not about the accuracy of the painting, but the feeling…the Chi, and make sure to leave room in your painting for movement of energy. We worked on herons today. And swallows!
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.”
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.
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.
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!
Long August shadows
Cicadas play the wash-board
Fledglings beg for food.
Art Prescription: It’s subtle, the light changing a minute a day. Days are getting shorter. Seems the cricket calls are different, hanging out in the late summer grasses. I welcome a change…change is good. I’m really enjoying my online class on watercolor hand-lettering with Val Webb.
Two birds land on branch
Fill warm air with true desire
A nest awaits eggs.
Art Prescription: Birds and squirrels are not shy about mating right out in the open. It’s all about the business of reproducing. There is fore “play,” head bobbing, wing flapping, certain show-off high notes of song. Many bird species mate for life…awe….Squirrels, well, a bit like rabbits. Nature is persistent though, and to watch the dedication of fledgling parents is to know deep down that nature and nurture reign. Opening night for the summer 2012 Olympics…may the athletes have the focus, endurance, and satisfaction of putting their best efforts forward!
Hot! Morning doves coo,
Air conditioners spin, roar
Dragonflies flicker.
Art Prescription: Has summer always been this hot? Seems 90 degrees plus forecast for weeks on end. Our backyard bird bath is very popular; families of blue birds enjoying a dip, so cute how they stand guard for one another. The simple pleasure of bird watching always brings me joy. I think I saw some sort of Tanager!! I’m reminded through my own ah-hahs that it really is about the simple pleasures.
art prescription 