Autumn in Full Swing

Hi there,

                                      Well dressed maples. I think they might be showing off. 

At this time of year, I my senses pick up. Everywhere I look, wonderful colours catch and hold my attention. Over head I see and hear the geese; they will soon be honking out their goodbyes. The squirrels are busy, scurrying everywhere looking for nuts to fill their stores. And I can smell the scent of autumn's magic. I wish all this beauty would last. But the rains will come soon and wash the leaves away. Until then I will be outside as much as possible, enjoying the sights, sounds, and smells of autumn.

                                               

                                               So many beautiful paint box colours in this picture.

                                    

                             My son, Jesse, was with me and we walked this path seldom taken. We saw a rabbit and I believe a coyote in stealth mode.                                                                  

A drive by photo. The picture: a blurry cornfield that I cropped so that you wouldn't get dizzy, but just look at the colour of the sky! Amazing!

In case you are wondering what corn. It's cattle corn and the last of the harvest that will be brought in later this month. Before tractors had lights, the farmers worked late into the night under the light of the harvest moon. Hence the name harvest moon.

                                                      Dahlias really love the cool weather.    

I can't resist picking up pretty leaves.

          

      

And what would autumn be without pumpkins? I've been decorating a few, using FW acrylic ink. Pumpkins...weird material to draw on. For the next one, I will use a pencil instead of pen, although ink can easily be removed with rubbing alcohol. 

Easy to do... just wash and dry the pumpkin, and a sealant would have helped the paint glide easier.  I used two coats of black ink, and three coats of white; it requires another coat of white, but I am off to press.
                                  

"Along the River"

A  pastel painting that I painted awhile ago.

As we all know, 2020 has been a year. Events have been happening that we can all do without.  But with Thanksgiving day coming up on Monday, I have been taking stock and thinking about what I am thankful for. Among other things, although this one is at the top of my list, I am thankful and grateful that my 97 year old mother recovered from pneumonia that she had in late February. After two and a half weeks in the hospital, spent mostly without visitors because of Covid restrictions, she passed go and was sent home in good health. 

Happy Thanksgiving! 

Thank you all for the lovely comments on my last post.

Be safe and well!

'Til Next Time...

Cultivate Your Dreams

Linking to Link Parties via my link party page. Ladies, many thanks for hosting. 

The Beginning of Autumn

 

 Hi there,

       

Today, I am writing this post on my iPad. I had doubts about it ever happening. But Blogger, with its new interface, has finally plunged into the 21st century. 

     

Fall has arrived and everywhere you look you can catch a glimpse of gorgeous colours with hints of    more to come. It’s such a beautiful time a year. Certain garden flowers that have been bleached out by the hot summer sun, are also enjoying a vivid revival.

 I never long for fall, and often lament the passing of summer, but at this point in my life, I enjoy fall almost as much as I do spring. 

“Autumn, the year’s last

loveliest smile.”

William Cullen Bryant 

Reeds swaying in the wind.

Goldenrod and Asters

Awhile ago, someone ask me what I keep in my desk drawers. I admire curiosity. As far as I’m concerned it makes the world go round. Anyway, maybe one day I will shoot a video tour of my little corner studio, although I am not sure I could make it interesting. In the mean time, here's a sneak peek. In drawer number two: tubes of watercolour paint. The gorgeous bright pink: Opera Rose. Not a lightfast paint but oh so lovely.

                                                           Candy pink hydrangeas. 

Moms and Roses

On a walk, I noticed this feather. It looked like it was floating.

I added a few more watercolour leaves to this painting. As you can see, there are real leaves here too. 

                                                                           

                                                                                                                                                         

The art cards I ordered arrived, so I printed some greeting cards made from a larger Calla Lily painting that sold awhile ago. I really like the matte finish on these cards.

 When I cut these watercolour gift tags out of watercolour paper and add splashes of paint, I am in relaxation mode.  Although messy, adding texture with salt, alcohol, and cling wrap adds to the fun.

'Til Next Time

Cultivate Your Dreams.

Linking to Link Parties via my link party page. Ladies, many thanks for hosting. 

Landscapes and Greeting Cards

 September 8, 2020

 Hi there,

  Mostly a picture post today.  But I will say that the new Blogger interface makes it much easier to move pictures around. And I like the visible comment section that shows in the preview. A definite must!

  

To Bee

A few red leaves. It's happening slowly.

                                 I love ponds; they are always so peaceful. I sat on the bank and

                                           watched the fish jump in this pond for awhile. 

                            

                                                  Asters, Goldenrod, and Queen Anne's Lace.

                                              "I've looked at clouds from both sides now."
                                                                        Joni Mitchell

Print making on the go. I am making cards in both a gloss and matte finish.  Just now, I only have a few of the wildflower cards with a matte finish, but more matte cards are on the way.

Original Pastels ~ Taiga/Snow Forest. Better known as the Boreal Forest

and Autumn’s Glory.

Boreal Forest, Autumn’s Glory, Pink Bloodroot Wildflower.

After the storm. 

This wonderous double rainbow arched the whole way across the sky. I feel very lucky to have seen such awe inspiring beauty. 

'Til Next Time, Lovely People...

Cultivate Your Dreams

Linking to Link Parties via my link party page. Do drop in for a visit. Thank you ladies for hosting. 

Careening Down Time’s Zip Line

September 2, 2020

Hi everyone,

I do hope this post finds you all well and adjusting to the new way of life that we are confronted with.

My computer has been down for the count. Thankfully, today, my son, Jesse, rescued it from oblivion.  And, luckily I didn't lose my pictures that I neglected to back up. Jess pointed out, in his diplomatic way, that I've been living on the edge. He must be kidding!

Can it really be September? Time flies sounds like an understatement this year, and although we've been lockdown and curtailed somehow it happened. ( I always feel this way. I love summer.) And for the record it has been the hottest summer I have ever witnessed. Of course, when time zips by it leaves a lot of us feeling like we lost the plot.  However, the good news: September and October will soon dazzle us with brilliance.

River side

A hint of the beauty to come.

Check out the Labour Day 15%  off sale in my Etsy Shop

it begins (today) Sept 2nd  and runs until Sept 8th.

Until next time...

Cultivate Your Dreams

June's Tune

June 30, 2020

Hi there,

I hope you all had a good month!

Here in Canada, June with its puffy, free floating clouds, bluest of skies, and blossoms running riot everywhere you look is the best of months. And one truly longed for which makes it even sweeter. Actually, for me, June is like a poem or a song from nature, and to heap accolades on it, it's the best painting of all.

Greens intensify.

Container plants take off.

Ivy trails.

                                                             
                                                               Peonies bloom.

Bees forage and buzz out arias.

Weeds show off.

Roses bloom and bushes too.

Woodland Ferns grow large. And so much more, but I will move along for now.

           * * *                

 On the making front, this month I tried eco-printing. I don't have a heat press, and a press would really enhance the colours. But, overall, it worked quite well using a regular iron and pressing everything between two sheets of Teflon. Another time, I will experiment with lighter weight paper, and, of course, a wider variety of flowers and leaves. And who knows I may brave it and boil everything up in an old pot on the stove. Dahlias would make a lovely print. I don't have any, but I may be able to 'borrow' a few.

                       
Bunting also piqued my interest, so I decided to make one, drawing whatever comes to mind with gel pens on black paper. Approximately 12 more to go, although I may make it smaller and string it across my desk.

 I left comments for everyone who visited last time. Thanks for your company!

'Til Next Time...

Cultivate Your Dreams

Linking to Link Parties via my link party page. Do drop in for a visit. Thank you ladies for hosting.