In honor and celebration of the final day of summer, I took my easel outside this morning, and did a little painting en plein air.
I have been thinking about my immediate surroundings and forming a composition in my mind for several weeks. All I needed was a little motivation to begin this project.
After sketching in the scene with pencil, I used Cadmium Yellow Pale for my first layer of color. Next came Prussian Blue.
I am looking forward to watching this unfold. Happy Fall!
Here is a recent sunset, photographed in the gold country of northern California. I think the contrast is stunning!
It has been over two weeks since I posted my abstract watercolor. I could have stopped there, but I wanted something more…
I began filling in the spaces, and I was afraid that I was ruining it. But I continued. I still have a high-quality digital file, even though the original painting has morphed into something completely different.
I wasn’t satisfied with the result, so out came the Prismacolor pencils. I added detail to define and add depth to my stained-glass-like creation. This suddenly became very organic.
The original work is still visible in the background of this updated piece.
It’s the last week of summer, and a bit late to begin planting seeds. But I have an empty planter on the front of my porch, and that just doesn’t seem right!
I have been collecting seeds from the nasturtiums and marigolds at home, and I brought them to the cabin. It is still so warm, I think there is plenty of time to start a new flower bed.
I am concerned about the deer, because the flower box on the porch is not protected with fencing like the vegetable garden beds are. So I did some research on the Internet.
Apparently deer will eat just about anything. Especially fawns, who are learning what foods are best. The diet of deer depends on the habits of the herd and how desperate they are for food.
Surprisingly, however, I discovered that nasturtiums and marigolds are not some of their favorites. So I decided to try an experiment. I planted my seed collection this morning, in a sunny, unprotected location.
First I put down a layer of planting soil over the existing soil. After planting the seeds, I covered the surface with dried oak leaves, which are in abundant supply, to slow down the birds. Then I soaked the soil. I love experiments!
A pair of Red-tailed Hawks have been making quite a fuss in the area lately. I was finally able to take a photo of one of them circling overhead. Never a dull moment!
It’s hard for me to ignore the birds I hear around the cabin. The other day I took my camera outside to see what I could find, and heard some commotion in a small oak tree near the front porch.
Just when I thought I had lost the bird I had seen flitting around, it announced its presence and tipped its head as I clicked away. It was a very cooperative avian.
It has been quite some time since I last saw a White-breasted Nuthatch.
They are intriguing little songbirds.
Today I went treasure hunting for a small planter, and was in luck.
I picked up a little vase that was just the right size to turn into a planter for some philodendrons that I had rooted.
I put half an inch of aquarium gravel in the bottom.
Then I took the plants I had rooted and arranged them in the container. I filled in around them with potting soil.
I topped it off with more gravel to keep down the mold, and soaked the soil.
Now all I have left to do is find the right spot to put it!
Last weekend we attended the Constitution Day Parade in Nevada City, a tiny hamlet in the gold country of the Sierra Nevada foothills of northern California. It was a beautiful, warm late summer day.
After a picnic in the shade of a tiny park at the end of the main street, we sat on a cement wall and enjoyed the show.
The atmosphere was friendly and casual, with participants and spectators in every age group. What a fun time!
It wouldn’t be much of a parade without some marching bands!
I love the percussion and brass sections.
Several presidents were in attendance, including Mr. Lincoln.
Everyone joined in the spirit of the occasion.
While watering in the garden I share with my landlady, I was startled by an unfamiliar flower. I had noticed the seed pods on the plant, and thought it was okra, but I had to check. Sure enough, I was right! What a beautiful bloom.
I have finally gotten back to my geometric collage, after two weeks of hemming and hawing, and completed it. Here is a brief recap:
I painted rectangular tiles with watercolor, and then added triangles by layering color.
Next I used gouache to add details. Then I placed both opaque and transparent hand-made papers in strategic locations (OK, some of them are covering mistakes >_<).
I added more detail with Prismacolor pencil. Finally I attached the papers with clear acrylic medium, and used the acrylic to finish the entire surface. This was tricky, because the darker pencil and paint pigments tend to smear.
My goal was to create a dynamic and somewhat organic geometric facade with depth. The texture of the papers adds some interest. After this project, I’m ready to move on to a landscape!
When You're Bored 