". Arranged Words: Birch
Showing posts with label Birch. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Birch. Show all posts

24 Apr 2018

Touched by Spring

A bit of green along the edge of the trail. O, and that sky blue!
The much anticipated and wholly appreciated spring season has arrived. In just a few days, nature has thrown of its icy cloak. It has been touched by the sun, and it has responded in celebration.

Now the days are radiant with sunlight and bird song, and I can't possibly express how delighted that makes me feel. The longed for radiance of the sun brings with it a heightened sense of freedom, wonder, and, well, just plain old joy. As heard below, that joy trickles down to every level of the awakening world.

Love's chorus.

Trillium  shoots. 
From what I can see, we may, if it stays cool, (although so far it's been quite warm) have a bumper crop of Trillium this year.

           Reaching for the light. I love the texture, form, and stripped bark on this sycamore.

 I'd like to paint the blue shadows and textures of the birch.
                                            From the eye of the birch. "Here's looking at you kid."

 In the marsh, the ravenous, spry squirrels and chipmunks are scurrying about. The red wing blackbird courts a mate with his flat off key song, the geese are honking merrily and even their quieter cousins the ducks are honking along as they fly overhead. And if all that isn't enough, you can smell spring in the air.



And the willows, the willows are blushing too because it's all brand new.

 * * * 


Sometimes a painting just doesn't work out. Might be a colour issue, a spill, an over reach for the high bar of perfection. (I'm learning to get over it and just paint. After all enjoyment is the name of the game.) So, if unsavory things happen, I now cut out whatever is salvageable and fashion unconventional bookmarks. I will tuck them into cards etc.


A second painting of the Snowdrops on lovely 300lb Moulin du Roy paper. White flowers are a challenge.  However, I like the lighter grey I used this time around. (A mix of permanent rose and viridian green.)


* * *

Before I sprint off to the drawing board, I'll leave you with a few spring quotes.



"It's spring fever. That's what the name of it is. And when you've got it you want--oh, you quite don't know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache you want it so."

Mark Twain

"Behold, my friends, the spring is come; the earth has gladly received the embraces of the sun, and we shall soon see the results of their love." -- Sitting Bull

"Come forth into the light of things. Let nature be your teacher."

William Wordsworth 
 
'Til next time...Cultivate your dreams...

14 Apr 2015

Out and About


One of those divine days that I've been dreaming about all winter long finally arrived. And lovely it was. Temps 24C or 75.2 degrees F. with a warm breeze blowing from the south. So it was definitely time to throw off the winter woolies and head to the woods.

Eye of the Birch
Beautiful colour.

The plant life is just waking up so there's not much on the grow, but my son and I did meet and visit with a few hungry friends.

Mr. Chips the Chipmunk.

Yes please. I'm immensely fond of peanuts.
Peanuts? Shucks. I'd prefer a serving of sunflower seeds, please.

Er...maybe...just one, said the wee chickadee.

 * * *

On the needles ...

Increasing 7 stitches from 1 caused my frogging party :/ ( For non-knitters that means to rip it out.) Since a few of the holes were too large, I couldn't continue because I knew that the holes would never even out during blocking. The good news: I didn't have a life life but know where to begin again. Yes!


* * *
Painting... feathered friends...

One of my favourite birds: the marsh wren. They flit around in the marsh grasses and fly so fast that it is hard to catch more than a glimpse of one, so I decided to draw a couple.



Thanks for reading...Enjoy the week!