Grey skies, cool weather
Break from quilt-like atmosphere
Rain watered garden.
Art Prescription: Have you read “Tao De Ching.?” Many translations exist…here is a quote from my favorite.
Cool blue forest shade
A hide-out from torrid sun
Shelter from the heat.
Art Prescription: We are breaking records here in NC for consecutive days above 100 degrees. Mid-day is quiet, as no one is out walking or jogging. My backyard bird bath is a popular hang-out. Parents fly in with their fledgelings, take a quick dip, then land on branches above for preening – teaching the young how it’s done. In the morning the path through our neighborhood is pretty shady. I’m working on a hummingbird painting! What are you working on?
Sunlight beams through clouds
Hot humid air smells like rain
Swallows swoop and sing.
Art Prescription: I spent most of the weekend in my studio and outside in the garden, despite the heat. Finished my two newest works: Fireworks I and II. These paintings have 10 plus layers of paint and modeling paste on them. I sanded the final painting down to get back to the under-painting. This work was weeks in the making and took a lot of patience…drying time. Try a new medium…it might open an exciting window for creativity!
Splendor in the grass
Round the corner, view roses
Hot summer big blooms.
Art Prescription: Despite the heat I mowed this morning. I love to mow. It’s like waltzing across the yard getting a close up view of all my flowers. Yes, some weeding is involved. Fresh water in the bird-bath invites blue birds. They flash their cobalt blue wings as they take a dip in the cool water. Hope this pair will build again in the box. I sanded my new painting to pick up on the many layers. Excited to show soon…
Sweltering, fiery
Sultry July comes in hot
Hazy thick moist air.
Art Prescription: It is July, but dog-gone it’s HOT! 99 and above is the forecast. Flowers need water almost twice a day, especially in pots. I’ve had two uninterrupted days in my studio and playing with some new mixed media, modeling paste and collage. Very experimental and I’ve painted about 5, really, paintings on two matching canvases, not satisfied yet with the results. I’m always amazed at how much time it really takes to create! It takes time to day dream, sketch out ideas, think about composition and color, and at times it’s really hard to manifest what you have in your mind onto the paper or canvas. Always remember to work, step away, look at your painting from a distance, go for a walk, and come back with fresh eyes!
“Five more minutes.” “Two.”
“Four more minutes.” Two and half.”
Four…wonder who won?
Art Prescription: Oh my gosh it’s HOT! Temperatures topping 100 this weekend. Had to water my garden almost twice a day to keep them from withering. Of course the most sensible place to be in weather like this is the pool. As I walked by on my evening jaunt, I heard a familiar bargain going down at the pool. Kids are always trying to get just a few more minutes of pleasure. For them five minutes means the world. As we get older we tend to measure our time differently…always looking ahead, planning, racing with the clock. Perhaps we should think like a six year old this summer, and wager for just five more minutes of doing something we love!!!!!!
Big fat bumble bees
Buzz Purple Veronica
Land bloom after bloom.
Art Prescription: Breaking records here in NC, heat wave. Supposed to be 105 degrees with a 115 degree heat index this weekend, wicked hot. Home from work I ventured out to make sure all my pretties were well watered. No matter what, my time outside brings me peace. The bees seemed not bothered by the heat as they flew from bud to bud drinking sweet Purple Veronica nectar. For me a bit of nature time helps me decompress from work, gives me time to think and examine nature, life.
Wine glass beads with sweat
Refreshing French white wine cools
Tingles on hot day.
Art Prescription: It is almost July, but wow it’s getting hot. Here in NC the forecast for the next three days is 105 degrees. Looks like outside activities will be early morning or probably just the pool!! Today’s quote comes from Tao Te Ching:
“See the world as your self.
Have faith in the way things are.
Love the world as your self;
then you can care for all things.”
Cool clear blue sky morn
Spring-like temperature, June
Nice “cold front” surprise.
Art Prescription: What an unexpected wave of cool temperatures! Almost needed long sleeves for our morning walk. A perfect day for plein air painting. Nothing makes me happier than being right in front of the plant I’m drawing, trying to describe its personality and curves with line and paint, so much richer than working from photos. This brings me to a conversation I had with a friend yesterday…we talked about how different people are in how they choose to live their lives. Some people live just on the surface, never diving into a deeper meaning for their circumstances. For me and my friend, depth is important. Each and every day we seek to find meaning and purpose and if we can express this creatively! bravo!
Here are the paintings I’m working on: