Haiku September 30, 2012 Kudzu Giraffes

Leafy green giraffes

Kudzu drapes trees, purple blooms

Smell like grape Nehi.

Art Prescription:  Kudzu is an invasive vine that grows over entire patches of trees making shapes for the imagination. A lover of shades of green, I find its heart-shaped leaves attractive, and grape- soda scented flowers must lure many insects. But Kudzu can take over in an unwanted fashion.  We have a local farm here in North Carolina called “Cudzu Farm.” http://www.cud-zu.com/index.htm

The Farm
The Cheek farm has been in Margaret’s family for over 101 years. Her father and her grandfather were both dairy farmers. She is one of four children born in the farm house.

When Margaret and Charlie moved back to the farm 12 years ago, the barn and the fields were overgrown with kudzu. Someone said if they wanted to get rid of the kudzu, they should buy a couple of goats. They bought 2 goats, then someone gave them 3 more and later those goats had babies. Today, they have 9 goats and the kudzu is well under control.

Then their neighbors, all dairy farmers, started asking, “What else are your goats good for?” That’s when Charlie and Margaret started making goats’ milk soap.

Today, after 10 years and many batches of trial and error, they have perfected a unique bar of all natural goat milk soap that not contain any additives, colorants, preservatives, stablizers, or chemicals. It is highly praised for its moisturizing properties.

 

Haiku September 14, 2012 Rose Garden

September roses

Late blooms announce season end

Time to rest, renew.

Art Prescription:  Here in NC roses bloom sometimes into October. I know, we are lucky. I don’t have the heart to do the prescribed cut when my roses still have buds. But it is necessary. Parallel to life there is a time to grow and a time to rest. Fall signals nature to begin the journey to rest. We all need rest to renew…

Haiku September 13, 2012 Chinese Brush Painting

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!

Haiku September 12, 2012 Butterflies

Butterflies, skippers

Flicker flower to flower

Sweet September treat.

Art Prescription:  Another astonishing North Carolina day! I packed up my “art wagon,” and headed over to the NC Botanical Garden to watercolor sketch. It’s really my garden wagon, but works perfect for field-sketching. My paint, paper, pens, water, water holder, snack, and bug spray all fit neatly, then the handle folds back to create the perfect flower-level seat. This is the second piece of work in a new collection I’m calling “Watercolor Fresh.” Each piece starts as a watercolor sketch, expressive. Then I let the random shapes suggest detail with pen and ink. It’s very relaxing because there is no right or wrong, I’m just working (as I tell my workshop participants) with what is happening on the paper!! Try it!!

Haiku September 11, 2012 Quiet Reverie

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 2, 2012 Praying Mantis

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

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 29, 2012 Queen Anne’s Lace

Fragile skeleton

A dried form of brown beauty

Stands tall in meadows.

Art Prescription:  As much as I love spring, I love fall. The dried foliage to me is not dead, but graceful forms of intricate detail. This is the season to find much adored seed pods of all kinds. For every flower there is a seed, and nature’s designs awe and inspire me. Recently I’ve been noticing dried Queen Anne’s Lace along roadsides and meadows. These seeds will be next year’s crop.