Haiku August 21, 2012 Plant a Seed

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 18, 2012 Mason Farm

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.

Haiku August 13, 2012 Summer Sounds

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.

Haiku August 11, 2012 French Roast

Morning light pours in

Abundant day ahead, stretch…

French roast coffee brews.

Art Prescription:  What are your first thoughts in the morning? Be the observer…do you start of with “getting out of the wrong side of the bed?” Or do you stretch and think about all the possibilities a day might bring. Sam and I hiked in Umstead Forest today. A sandy, rocky, path along Crabtree Creek. A few wildflowers, but mostly shade plants like ferns. Saw a big beautiful black snake cooling him/her/self on the rocks of the old mill. From there we visited the Raleigh Farmer’s Market where we bought fresh peaches, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, onions, and some lovely organic soap with bergamot and oatmeal.

Haiku August 6, 2012 Cosmo

Dear orange cosmo

I waited for you to bloom.

Is this a weed? WAIT!

Art Prescription:   I planted Cosmo seeds a month or so ago. These were seeds that I gathered and saved from my neighbor’s end of the season garden last fall. Out of a bunch, one tall leafy plant did rise, but up until yesterday I wasn’t sure if it was indeed a Cosmo or a weed. Patience paid off. Now I have multiple orange blossoms blooming next to my purple cone flower. ASAP…I will go out and sketch them.

July 30, 2012 Purpose

Path, purpose, life force

Resilience, forward track

Find the it right now.

Art Prescription:  Picked my “Backyard Bouquet” painting up today from the framer. Makes me so happy!! Everything in life needs a frame!