Friday Afternoon

Sitting out side under the awning on my own with some time, I didn't expect, to myself. It's

roughly 26 degrees very pleasant looking at a newly mowed law and  the greenery around me then looking  at our pink, white, and red peonies. Every few minutes I get a waft of their scent it's delicate for such large flowers and the frowsy loose petals show off their  beauty.


Having a new bird feeder that seems to standing a lot of traffic from some lovely yellow birds mostly coming around lunch time to feed, the chipmunk pops out about the same time for any castings that will give him his lunch. I've watched a black squirrel trying hard to get some seeds from the feeder away at the top which ( thank goodness ) doesn't move.

John has planted pots of red geraniums a Favourite of mine and they are just shooting up very well with lots of buds because of all the rain we have had in the last few weeks, our herbs are doing well too, parsley thyme mint and the bay bush I manage to winter over are enjoying some sun and the breeze.

It's not that often we sit outside, even more so on my own, we rush through the garden more often than not! usually with groceries . Right now I feel very grateful having sat for a while and let nature entertain my mind it"s very relaxing and giving my brain a brief but lovely experience just letting everything slip into the background and taking the time to breath, look and listen like a little vacation that dropped in to say HI wondered where you were!

Babs

Iriae

"Iriae" Acrylic on 45"x22" masonite

Lots of fun and frustration, but I guess all painting attempts are such!
Earlier in the year we decorated our bedroom after the roof leaked and destroyed a wall, but we had a new roof installed and the wall was rebuilt. Then the colours for the walls and bedding and drapes were carefully picked after much "discussion".

The colour scheme is green, purple, white. We had a big sheet of thick masonite which was used as paint tray to stop slops on the floor. So with a brilliant stroke of genius, the wife suggested we paint a picture on it using wall paint, the chosen subject was Irises, using a painting I did a couple of years ago as inspiration, and that we would both work at it.

Well that didn't happen the housepaint is not easy to mix etc, and herself got into painting horses and had no interest in flowers anymore.

So I, brave soul that I am, got out the acrylics and began a journey, with the board flat on the table I sketched, and daubed and using iris pictures from our garden and from a friend's pictures of Iris in his Texas garden (thanks Mike), and some imagination for the leaves and background.

The picture will be hung in the bedroom when we have worked out a method of framing - I just found out one end is 1/2" longer than the other!
John

Secoya Side View

"SSecoya"  oil on 11x14 board

Same horse as in previous post, he seems more contented in this one!
Babs

Secoya

"SequoiaSecoya14 board

Well I must admit she was giving me trouble, but, I persisted and decided she wouldn't beat me. John encouraged me to keep going. Sometimes painting is a mystery my brain plays tricks with me and I tend to listen to the voice who says " Oh so you think you can manage to work on Secoya we'll see about this one". Consequently a lot of stops and starts. Like a horse having a bad day with the rider!

Sequoia came all the way from Kentucky when she was 4 years old, and now she is 8 She & Holly, her owner, are best friends ,very comfortable together.

Willow, the dog in my last blog, often takes the trip to the Stables and is well behaved just minding her business enjoying her outings. It's a beautiful area lots of hills and dales including a place called Happy Valley great for good walks lots of trees and interesting places for Holly to spend time with her two best friends taking in good fresh air and time to think before her busy day starts working on her pottery classes.

Painting a black horse probably is a hard painting to achieve, reflections that seem to be the hardest to work on and make look natural along with bone structure. Horses come in all shapes and sizes from looking regal to Sequoia who is a sweet girl not highly strung a friend that will give a lot of pleasure through the years and other than being fed and watered and having a good home  she will have many happy years to come.

It has been a wonderful opportunity to learn more about painting animals. thanks Holly.

Babs

"Willow" Smile for Me!

"Willow" Oil on 8x10 board

I met Willow a lovely lab at our Local Potters Studio last year, I had decided to work on some pots for fun. Holly, the potter, would let Willow come into the studio and after some attention to us Students she would settle on her bed in a corner of the room, dozing as she listened to us girls chatting away quite content.

I loved her colour and her enthusiasm, bright button eyes just sparkling and full of fun.

It went through my mind I would like to try and paint her if I ever got the chance. That came when I asked Holly if I could have some pictures of her horse Sequoia, Wanting to get a close up of her for painting or
practice painting her.

We managed to pick a bright sunny morning and met Holly at the Stables, as it turned out Holly, Willow and Sequoia were already out in the sunshine. Willow gave us a great welcome,as Labs do, then off she went for her morning run around.

John took pictures of Sequoia and then had the opportunity to catch Willow just right. So I was happy with our trip going home with some good pictures.

I have a Favourite site a couple who live in Wales making a super job of their work painting animals very realistically. Pet Portraits by Melanie & Nick.

My paintings have a long way to go but, I would love to achieve a similar style. Willow's painting is far from looking "like" it seems. We all have our own style of a painting,

Willow's coat was interesting to work on the more I looked the more subtle colour came through. lavender grey, tones of sienna mixed with white and yellow ochre. generally I think there is a good likeness, I have to practice squinting and recognizing subtlety of lights and darks. It never ends!

The more you know the more you realize the process is never ending. It must be a passion !

Babs

Christmas Gift Erected and 11 Apartments to Rent!

Bird House with 11 apartments and free suet balls every day!

 Christmas Gift Erected and 11 Apartments to Rent!

We were given a very interesting gift at Christmas a beautiful Bird House, a replica of our own house. However we  couldn't use it till Spring this week,  but on Thursday afternoon a deep hole was dug and a  large wooden 4x4 post erected. A hand made base was fitted to support the house and voila there it was in all it's splendour: a residence  for Purple Martins.

Hanging from the base are two wooden birds holding suet balls.

We are trying to encourage the Martins as it seems they are very keen on Mosquitoes, but birds of any sort really which certainly will be great for us, the flight path is pretty good for easy access, and water is available from the nearby pond which hopefully all goes towards having a comfortable residential apartments with all facilities!

Our son in law Darryl has made a super job and it makes the garden bright and cheerful.
Thanks Darryl, we will enjoy watching the birds in our Guz Over (canopy) while having a cool drink and taking it easy.

Babs & John

Charlie & Woody

"Woody & Charlie" 11x14 oil on board

Charlie chocolate lab and Woody English lab.

I had painted a picture some years ago of these two boys when Woody had just joined the family. We were amazed that Charlie was obviously quite happy to befriend little Woody and this was the result. Since of course little Woody has fully grown and his personality is vastly different from Charlie who is of the more nervous variety and not fond of water, while Woody is always carrying his ball as soon as he hits the grass he's ready for a play for hours if that was possible. Charlie however is quite content to sit by anyone and watch the goings on.

The reason I have worked on this second painting was to to see the difference of style and Hopefully increased ability of Painting. I know I am tooting my own horn but, the family have awarded me encouragement to keep my practice up.

That's a good sign I think!

Babs