All of a Sudden

 

Hi everyone, 

Time has a way of slipping by, so it has been awhile.

The spring art exhibition was a successful event. Always nice to greet the public and spend time in a room filled with beautiful artwork. Several students also participated in the spring show and their work was impressive, indeed.

 And so May has arrived--such a beautiful month.  Even though I was checking daily, all of a sudden, it happened, one morning when I looked out the window the trees were sporting new leaves. Definitely awe inspiring, and you wonder how it happened so fast.

Glorious greens in varying hues catch your eye and bird songs fill the air. Ah spring, so wonderful.

 

 Because it was so warm in March, the sap ran early. But heavy frost followed in April, so a lot of the trees lost their buds. Never happened before that I know of, and I have been around awhile. However, as you can see they recovered well.

 

                                                                    Lilacs

                                 A  dreamy, spectacular day. So beautiful!
 

                                                        The geese enjoying new tasty grass.

                                     

                                                  "A Light exists in Spring

                                                   Not present on the Year

                                                   At any other period --
                                                   When March is scarcely here"

                                    Emily Dickinson. A Light Exists In Spring.

In early March last year, I happened upon this American Bittern. He or she was intent on catching a meal, so he didn't seem to notice me. That day an anxious photographer with huge lenses on a tripod was circling the area. He ask me if I knew the name of the bird, and if I had ever seen one before. Because I have a few bird guides, I knew it was a Bittern. I said that I had never seen one before, although I've been looking for years.

 What a scoop!  I only wish I had one of his photos, but, alas, I do not. Although blurry, I count myself lucky to have this photo and to have seen this wonderful bird.

 In April the beavers were busy in the marsh. Not sure what they are up to. The water is shallow and sometimes they drain the marsh, so it's not the best place for a beaver lodge. Perhaps they will dine on the invasive cattails and purple loose strife. That would be great.

 

                                                            A muskrat lodge, I believe. 

                          There are also mink in the marshlands. We saw one last week.

                           No time for a photo opt though. They scamper along the boardwalk, flip over the side and disappear in a flash.

           

                                           A bumper crop of Trillium this year.

                         

                         

                                                  

   A likeness from Sargent's portrait drawings #7. Over the year, I will draw practice copies of most of the drawings in this small booklet. There are 41. So far while drawing, I keep asking myself how did he do that? Amazing.

 A free hand with a little added watercolour on Strathmore toned tan sketch paper. The best drawing paper I have found. While drawing this, I erased many times and it didn't mar the paper. It did buckle a bit from the watercolour, but it is not made for mediums.

              The sketchbook is a bit pricey these days. I bought this one sometime ago, but recently bought one with gray toned paper which was cheaper. If you are interested, perhaps you can find a better deal at your local art store.

 

 Tip for portraits from Milan Art.  "Generally,  the middle of the eye lines up with the corners of the mouth. And the inner eye lines up with the outside of the nose."

                                                                     Until Next time...

                                                          

                                                                   Cultivate Your Dreams

                                              Linking to Link Parties via my link party page. 

                                                          Thank you all for hosting!