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...

Blog Anniversary and A Free Bookmark

Looks like spring inside. So I'll keep that positivity going. Actually, the temperatures are due to rise by the end of the week. And they will go up again the following week so we will soon have lovely weather. Speaking of spring, the robins have arrived. I haven't heard any singing yet though, but I bet they will be singing next week. O, can't wait!

A cheerful faced pansy.

Besides painting and drawing, I've been making a few items with paper clay. Trinket dishes and  needle minders painted with acrylic paint. Now, I'm on the lookout for thin magnets for the needle minders.

On April 21st I will have been blogging five years.  I wish you could all join me for tea and madelines to celebrate. What a lovely day that would be!

Over the past while, I've been thinking about what to giveaway to thank all of you, and since I would like everyone who reads along to have something, I decided on a printable bookmark.
Since I am not savvy with Photoshop type programs, there was a definite learning curve. Thank goodness for You Tube videos. I wrote everything down so maybe, just maybe, I can repeat the process sometime.

Once you've printed the bird on card stock, cut the "Spread the Love Birdie" out along the dotted line. If desired, use a hole punch to punch a hole through the top and thread with pretty ribbon.

Print Birdie Here 

 Nary a straight word in sight. An adrift day. Perhaps. Because the paper is delicate, and even though I wrote the original quote in pencil, I could not erase it. But I like it anyway.

Thank you my lovely blogging pals and readers for reading along! 

 Enjoy...

xo

Cultivate your dreams.