draw day to day

Medicinal Herb Illustration and Broken Bowls

2012-01-24T15:07:00.000-08:00

I used to grow a lot of herbs and loved to try all different kinds. I hope to again someday when I have a larger garden. I illustrated several different herb related drawings: herbal soap, potpourri, herbal tea, kitchen herbs and this medicinal herbs illustration. It was fun to do the research and note what each herb is good for.

We finally got some snow and rain! I loved it. Before that, a couple weekends ago, my husband and I went exploring in the desert and I found lots of broken dishes. I usually see quite a few broken dishes and some china chips, some of which I keep for my collection :) But this time I found big pieces of broken bowls and plates and teacups. I wanted the challenge of trying to capture the curved bowl so concentrated on those.

Watercolor Digital Collage Sheets

2012-01-17T15:58:00.000-08:00

With Valentine's Day in mind I designed pink hearts from my pink paintings and put a few digital stripes in there to for a bit of coordinated contrast.

I've been designing digital collage sheets this week with my art work. This one has two inch squares of blue flowers hydranges, lilacs, cornflowers and other watercolor flowers.

I made a sheet with one inch and two inch squares with yellow flowers and some complimentary colors for spring. The yellow background has a bit of texture with some different spring colors. These have been really fun to make!

Tree Man and Valentine Cards

2012-01-12T11:33:00.000-08:00

Last weekend we went to the lake to see how much the water had gone down and explore a little. The lake was still pretty high and some of the trees were uprooted on the beach, but at least there was some beach now. Over the summer the lake was so full there wasn't much beach at all. I walked a bit looking for things to draw and looking at the trees. I saw this uprooted tree stump that looked like a figure and someone else did too as they had put a pair of sunglasses on it and left them there. I had to draw him. I thought he was really neat.

I've been working on Valentine's Day cards and felt a little romantic with this one I guess. Has a vintage feel to it also, like the color of tea stained cloth. I made another Valentine card with digital elements and it was fun also, but I like working with my own artwork best I guess. Hoping for snow or some rain here - still seems like spring except for nine degree mornings... Hope all is well where you are.

Gourd and Cattail Still life with Windflowers

2012-01-04T16:10:00.000-08:00

I set up a little still life in my backyard last fall. Last weekend I got in a spring yard cleaning mood, since it seems like spring around here, and I threw all my gourds away. They were beyond their prime. To commemorate them I wanted to post a little still life I made of them. I picked some cattails and other seed heads and put them in an old bottle we found in the desert. The old bottle and cattails are still there. I need a little something for decoration. Still hoping for some kind of moisture here in the desert!

I had windflowers planted a few years ago and

made a study drawing of them. Their petals are so delicate and only last a day, but then there are more the next day. They spread happily all over the place. I think I'd plant them again sometime.

Vintage Watering Can and Shasta Daisies

2011-12-29T15:04:00.001-08:00

My seed catalogs have started to come in the mail and it makes me dream of flowers and spring. I think it would be great to have a little section of the garden with vintage watering cans with flowers growing in them, color billowing out this way and that. I think I may start searching flea markets and antique stores for some. I have several old rusty bucketsI've found in the desert that I plant flowers and tomatoes in and a watering can or two would go nicely with them.

And a shasta daisy plant or two. I've not had great luck with my daisy plants in the past and I'm not sure why. I've not been able to plant them in a spot where they are happy. A lady down our street has lovely daisy plants that get bigger and prettier every year. Need to ask her what her secret is. They are planted in the front yard, maybe that is what they like - or they just don't like my backyard...

Hyacinth, Lemons and Pesto Recipe

2011-12-22T13:31:00.000-08:00

Last year I bought this little hyacinth flower from the grocery store and painted it a few times and once on really nice paper after I'd gotten to know it a little better. I loved the little pink vase it was in, although I made mine purple blend. I eventually planted it in my front garden and they emerge every spring pink and lovely.

I think lemons are so fun to paint, especially with the leaves. I don't paint with yellow much. I painted some lemons and an artichoke for a "lemon artichoke pesto" fabric design to enter into a contest on Spoonflower.

Drawings from the Desert in December

2011-12-12T13:36:00.000-08:00

We went exploring on Saturday to a place nearby, close to railroad tracks. Lots of trash had been dumped in piles here and there. Old rusty cans, lots of broken bottles in great colors of green, purple and blue. I found some flowery broken china pieces for my collection. I'm hoping to take a mosaic class one day and use my china chips to make something neat for my garden. While I was exploring the two things I found most interesting were an old leather glove that fit a tiny hand and an empty aluminum tube of toothpaste. Do you remember when they used to put toothpaste in aluminum tubes? I do. I see that Tom's brand still puts theirs in aluminum tubes. It is dry as a bone in the desert where I live. There seems to be a layer of dust hovering around all the time like a fog. It is cold though! I'm hoping for some kind moisture soon. I'd love a white Christmas. I thought this old rickey fence was neat. Thin little slats with crooked wire and patches of wood here and there trying for a little more stability. It has character. Now I'm off to paint these...

Christmas and New Year Greeting Cards

2011-12-02T11:58:00.000-08:00

Greeting cards for the holiday season to wish friends and family a Merry Christmas. Red Poinsettias in watercolor with a little spatter here and there and watery elements.

A collage style greeting card in soft blues with a sweet Little Snowman drawn in colored pencil.

And a very Happy New Year card with white roses in pencil with watercolor accents. Wishing you a very happy holiday season.

Watercolor Art Fabric Pincushions Pumpkin Style

2011-11-21T13:47:00.000-08:00

I've been busy making pincushons for our local art fair the first weekend in December. I used my Pumpkins and Asters fabric for part of this one with a blue batik fabric and blue floss.

In this one I used my Orange Rosebuds fabric, the blue batik and blue floss. I made this design during my Illustrator class earlier in the year. I haven't done much on Illustrator since then, I like drawing by hand so much better.

I used my Coreopsis and Ladybugs fabric for this one. I really like how this fabric turned out. It really says autumn to me. I used a reddish toned commercial fabric and red floss.

This one turned out nicely with a unique color combination. I used my Daisy Diamond fabric paired with a grey batik and black floss. Seems elegant to me.

A little tea time inspired pincushion using my Teapots on Blue fabric paired with a lavender plaid and lavender floss with a big striped button. These were a lot of fun to make.

Gourd Drawing and Purple Lupine Thank You Card

2011-11-06T09:16:00.000-08:00

I found some really neat gourds at our local farmer's market this year. Lots of bumps and lumps and interesting protrusions here and there. Very challenging drawing. I want to try and paint one next and see how that goes. Trying to get the shadows and create depth will be challenging.

I have a new series of cards using some purple lupine wildflowers I painted earlier in the year. I liked the lavender shades.

Bluebird, Insulator and Wildflower Zip Pouches

2011-10-27T14:24:00.000-07:00

I have been going through my drawings this year for a new ebook I'm working on and I found this little bluebird drawing I did early in the year. I want to do more birds now.

My son found an insulator and I saw it in the garage and decided to draw it for a challenge drawing for myself. I wanted to capture the top inside where it attached to the pole and the transparent glass effect. I thought I didn't do too bad.

I've been printing my drawings on fabrics this year and have been sewing my samples into things. I made some small zip pouches out of some of them. I love how the fabric looks sewn up. These fabrics are from my Wildflowers collection.

Basil, Tree Branch and Pink Petunias

2011-10-14T14:27:00.001-07:00

I used to grow a lot of different varieties of basil and dry it every season. I liked to buy packets of seeds, make my own little pots out of newspaper and plant the seeds in March so they were ready to plant in May. One year I drew my different varieties and the ingredients to make pesto. I miss that and think I need to do that kind of thing again.

Some of the leaves in the neighborhood are starting to turn and fall off. Even little twigs with clusters of leaves. I picked some up the other day and decided to make a little limb bouquet and paint it. It was a challenge to draw the leaves. Great observation exercise.

I saw that Sharpie came out with a new package of very fine tip pens in pink, blue, peach and green. I tried out the pink one on my pink petunias. It was the brightest one of all of them and fun to work with.

Root Vegetable Drawing and Petunia Fabric

2011-10-09T09:28:00.000-07:00

For the Spoonflower fabric contest this week the subject was "root vegetables" and I entered these that I drew in ink and watercolor. I remember eating a turnip once when I was a little girl and my grandparents let me try it. It is the last time I ate one... :) I do like all the other root veggies that I drew though. I've gotten more fond of vegetables over time.

Onions are fun to draw with their delicate layers and crinkled dry tops. I think I need to draw a purple onion, I love purple. It would be fun to do an onion study with all the different types of onions. Might try that...

Here is another collection of my fabric samples. Petunias, fuchsias and roses. I really made a lot this year. I joined Spoonflower in March and have so many samples to do something with now. I've been color coordinating them and will sew them this winter into something. I could make a very busy quilt...

Shasta Daisies, Cottage Watercolor and Art Fabrics

2011-09-22T13:50:00.000-07:00

I like to buy bouquets now and then to draw the flowers, especially in winter when my garden is not alive with color. This watercolor painting of three daisies came from a bouquet I bought not to long ago. I used pencil and colored pencil with the watercolor for some different effects and shading.

A friend told me about zentangles and I have come to really like doing them. It is good exercise for the brain to not really have an objective or anything I am looking at to draw. It is a challenge for me to relax and just make marks. I like to do them now and then to see what I come up with. This ACEO of Cottages is one of my latest drawings.

I put some more of my drawings onto fabric in my Spoonflower Shop. The ink and watercolor really print well and the watercolor gives such great effects on the fabric. Morning Glory in Lavender at the top, Love in a Mist to the left and Fuchsia Blooms a the bottom.

Autumn Petunia Watercolor and ACEO Art

2011-09-15T14:45:00.000-07:00

I've been enjoying the cooler weather lately and looking forward to autumn. My petunias are still in bloom and I really like the way they look in watercolor. It suits their frilly edges I think.

I like to just draw and paint to see what I come up with, doodling I guess. This reminded me of a wildflower patch, a whimsical one maybe...

I always like to plant poppies. They do well for me also in the garden. I like their color, but I think my favorite thing about them is the flower buds. I like the shape and how they droop and their prickly texture and their color of green...

Campground and Vegetable Garden Sketches

2011-09-07T14:47:00.000-07:00

I was finishing up some drawings last evening and decided to work with my watercolor colored pencils. They've been my favorite this summer to use for a little color with my pen and ink drawings. This was a sketch of a view from our campsite back in June. There is more green than yellow around the trees, but the scan picked up more of the bright yellow.

I pulled a really neat-funny shaped carrot from the garden, added a dragonfly that came by and hung around for a while, some of my ripening cherry tomatoes and a little red petunia from the front yard.

I've had a new crop of poplar trees begin growing in my garden and I wanted to sketch them before I yank them out. They come up easier than my flowers I plant by seed...frustrating :)

Garlic Clove Drawing and Owhyee Canyon

2011-08-26T16:00:00.001-07:00

I went to visit my sister and her family last weekend. They have a new baby just a month old and he's adorable :) While they were resting in the afternoon I decided to draw some of my sisters very nice cloves of garlic. She had just harvested some in the morning. There were still several in the ground and I loved the big round seed heads. I drew some of those too but they didn't turn out quite like I had in mind. I think I needed a much bigger piece of paper to get the effect I wanted.

I painted this years ago when we went on a camping trip to Owhyee, Oregon. This creek running through the canyon was dry and I thought the river rock was really neat. I made it into a note card recently. Have a good weekend!

Broccoli Drawing and Thinking of You Sister

2011-08-16T13:55:00.001-07:00

I was looking at my broccoli plant yesterday in the garden and realized it hasn't grown much bigger than it was in this pot. Not sure what I need to do for it. Maybe broccoli is a plant that doesn't like replanting and it is still getting over that... don't know. Oh well, my cherry tomatoes are doing great and I love eating them everyday. I've been drawing them plenty too and will post some another day.

This is one of my new cards I've been working on. I made a collection of cards with this design for the special women in your life. I think roses or bouquets of roses are always good for women, lovely flowers for lovely ladies.

Broken Dishes and Leo

2011-08-03T09:00:00.001-07:00

When we go exploring in the desert I like to pick up broken pieces of china and pottery. I bring them home and have them in a tall clear glass vase. I was inspired to draw some pieces last week. I liked the challenge of trying to capture the texture of the pottery underneath the glaze and give it a worn look. I'm thinking I may put these onto fabric too. Might make a unique print.

Leo's birthday month and I made some Leo party invitations. Bright red for the hottest month of the year!

Lady Bugs and Moths Greeting Cards

2011-07-26T14:38:00.001-07:00

I've been creating cards with bugs on them lately. I like to draw bugs and we've had a lot of ladybugs this season, well earlier when it was cooler. They've probably been fried by the sun and died by now here where we are. I made a birthday card with this design on it that was selected for "The design of the day" on Greeting Card Universe and I was very happy with that!

I like yellow moths too. We have a lot of those around here and they aren't shy. I can draw one while it is exploring the pollen on a flower, they don't get in any hurry. I made a series of yellow moth cards on this green background and liked how they turned out.

August Gladiolas and Poppies

2011-07-17T13:19:00.001-07:00

Poppies and Gladiolas are the flowers for August birthdays and I think that bright vibrant colors of the flowers are a perfect match for the hot August days. This is a watercolor painting I made featuring both flowers and I used almost pure pigment to get the bright shades I was wanting.

This is another watercolor painting of red oriental poppies that I recently made into a greeting card. Really like the bright happy colors. When the paint is wet I like to let the oranges, yellows and reds blend together on their own to see what they will do.

Kayak Tahoe, Lilac Placemats and Daisies

2011-07-11T14:05:00.000-07:00

We spent the day in Lake Tahoe yesterday kayaking, swimming and fresh air. The lake was nice and calm in the morning (my favorite time on the water) and I got more comfortable with the waves in the afternoon. Taking a break I decided to sketch my kayak which was a challenge drawing for me with perspective and angles. My son has a hand carved chess piece he found and I think I will try that for my next challenge drawing.

I made a set of four placemats with some of my Spoonflower fabrics. This one is Blue Lilacs and Columbines and I used some commercial fabrics for the patchwork design.

This is a new card design I've been working on. I like the celery green background with just a touch of white. Pen and ink is my favorite medium so I've been trying to think of different ways to use my ink drawings.

Leaves, Cotton and Campground Frog

2011-06-30T10:59:00.000-07:00

I painted this ACEO at the beach last fall and really liked the insect eaten leaf. The holes were so symmetrical and the same size, very neat and precise bugs. Feathers are always fun to draw and paint.

A page from my sketchbook while on our camping trip in Lake Tahoe. My husband found a tiny, tiny frog and brought it to me to draw. I was really excited because living in the desert I don't see many frogs (lots of lizards). I had to sketch quick so it may not look too much like a frog, but I had fun.

Cotton from the trees in our area has been flying around in the air for a while now. On my walk I found a neat twig with a big puff of the open cotton seeds still attached so I drew it and tried to depict the cotton as best I could. I wanted it to appear soft and fluffy.

Basil Garden and Lavender Flowers

2011-06-25T12:48:00.001-07:00

I've been working with illustrator a bit more trying to keep what I learned in my class fresh in my mind. I picked some colors related to lavender and made this design I thought would look nice on fabric and maybe a greeting card or two.

The same design with a white background. I can't decide which I like better, just like them both and think they are pretty compatible with each other.

When I plant tomatoes I always plant basil too. I love tomatoes wih basil and cheese. Also pesto with pasta. Basil comes in a lot of varieties too so it's always fun to plant different kinds to see what they taste and smell like.

Spoonflower Free Shipping Monday

2011-06-20T08:45:00.001-07:00

Very exciting! Free shipping anywhere in the world on Spoonflower Monday June 20 so great time to go fabric shopping!

Pink Petunias and Lake Tahoe Notecard

2011-06-16T11:28:00.000-07:00

My flowers are in full bloom. It is still in the 70s here so the flowers are still colorful and healthy looking. A few weeks ago I planted one 4" potted plant with about 3-4 little blooms on it in my old rusted bucket we found out in the desert and it has burst into bloom with loads of flowers. Lovely isn't it!

So excited, we are going on our first camping trip of the year to Lake Tahoe. This is a painting I did two years ago of Fallen Leaf lake while we were on a hike and made it into a notecard. This is a little island in a section of the lake. I look forward to what I find to paint this year. We are hiking a different area and I'm sure when we arrive we'll hear about how active the bears are this year. Maybe I can get a photo of one from a distance...

Cosmos, Buttons and Zinnia Notecards

2011-06-11T08:09:00.001-07:00

I've been drawing my cosmos a lot lately and there are a lot of ladybugs in my garden this year. I don't know if a neighbor bought some or I just have a lot of bugs for them to eat, but I like having them here. They are such a happy bug. I also found some other things to draw that my husband has found. Some old buttons, the back of a military button and a little key - maybe to a jewelry box or something like that. I like to imagine what it was used for and who had it. Did a young child have a special little box they put things in and what was in there?

This is a watercolor painting I did last year of our zinnias and coreopsis. They were bright and lovely and I hoped to portray that in this notecard for a bright and summery feel. The temperatures are just right, not too hot yet, so being outside is great. Looking forward to taking my kayak out on the lake soon.

Christmas Stocking Fabric and Camping

2011-06-01T12:46:00.000-07:00

I guess I've been thinking of the holidays and getting prepared early, really early, but that's okay. I wanted to try out a fabric design for Christmas and this is my first sample from Spoonflower . I liked how the colors turned out and think it would be really cute made up into a stocking, maybe use this fabric for the cuff.

Father's day just a couple weeks away. We always go camping during Father's Day and my son's birthday which is around the same time. Our trips inspired this card that I painted in watercolor and have in my Greeting Card Universe Store .

Forget Me Not, Lobelia and Windflower Sketch Fabric

2011-05-29T09:23:00.001-07:00

Actually this is lobelia that is growing in my garden, but my mind was on forget me not flowers that I am hoping to see in Lake Tahoe tomorrow. It has been raining all night and this morning so it might be a
drizzly trip, but I still want to go, Lake Tahoe is always worth a visit rain, snow or shine.

This is another one of my fabrics from Spoonflower with my flower drawings. This is a windflower, anemone, where I drew the different phases of growth. It printed so nice and has a great diagonal pattern in the overall fabric. I'm thinking I will make a table runner or table square with it.

Daisy Bouquet Fabric and Columbine Buds

2011-05-20T15:09:00.001-07:00

I sketched my columbines before they opened and a little red dianthus was close by so sketched it too. We had a week of rain so they are loving the cooler weather. It got below freezing one night and I lost my little cherry tomato plant, forgot to check the weather. Everything else is okay. My dianthus is blooming and the cosmos I planted are getting more blooms. I planted them in the back because it gets so hot and they can take the heat.

I got some more of my Spoonflower fabrics back and really liked this one of some of my pen and ink drawings. I entered it into the black and white contest and that was fun. I don't really want to cut it so will have to figure out something else, maybe a pillow panel.

Chicken Fabrics and Blue Butterflies

2011-05-13T12:14:00.000-07:00

My chicken fabrics came this week from Spoonflower and I really like how they turned out. The chickens printed nice and clear and the yellow background is a very soft buttercream shade, just what I was hoping for. I don't think I will be able to cut it up. Maybe I'll make a hot pad or something with it.

This is a plaid I designed to go with the above fabric and it just has the chicks in it. Very soft pink butterflies and flowers are in the background too.

Some very bright spring flowers and electric blue butterflies. Was playing with pure color and it is very bright...

Watercolor Art Fabrics

2011-05-08T11:39:00.001-07:00

I got my latest shipment of my watercolor fabrics from Spoonflower. This one has little whimsical teapots. The colors and patterns print really nice on the fabric.

This was my favorite of the bunch and I called it "Spring Snippets" fabric. I modified it a little and added more flowers in the white spaces so it would be a more consistent design. I made a little needlecase out of it (you can see that on my stichery blog).

This was my second favorite, "Winter Carrots". This is a fun border design. I used this in another needlecase and cut strips of it to go with some of my other fabrics in a patchwork style needlecase.

Delamar Window and Rockland Cabin

2011-04-27T12:00:00.000-07:00

For spring break we traveled to eastern Nevada to explore some ghost towns, visit Cathedral Gorge and see the area's history. It was beautiful and very different. Lots of green Joshua trees, junipers and Indian Paintbrush among other wildflowers. The weather was good while we were out and about. We stayed in the Overland Hotel that has themed rooms and we stayed in the Victorian Rooms.

My drawing from last week painted. I didn't want my whole painting to be brown so I painted the cabin grayish purple, I liked it better that way.

Rockland and Alphabet Fabric

2011-04-18T11:36:00.001-07:00

We went on a four-wheeler ride to the old mine site/ghost town of Rockland. There are still some neat buildings standing, mostly wood cabins. Lots of healthy junipers and other evergreens growing all around. Very quiet and way, way up in the mountains. Still snow on the ground in patches here and there. Must've been so cold during the winter.

This is my entry in the alphabet fabric contest on Spoonflower this week. There is a little rabbit in the letter "C".

Chicken Fabric and Birthday Greeting Card

2011-04-10T11:27:00.000-07:00

I drew and painted a family of chickens this week. I've seen a lot about chickens lately. Seems a lot of people like to raise chickens and there are great small chicken coops designed for backyard flocks. I love them. I had some chickens once years ago, but didn't have a coop built yet. I went outside one morning and a beautiful coyote was near our yard and the chickens were gone... The photo above is some fabric I designed with parts of the chicken painting. I will have it up in my Spoonflower shop soon. I have a chicken cross stitch pattern I'm working on and want to use the fabric to finish that design.

This is the chicken painting I made into a birthday card. I really loved painting the rooster.

Eucalyptus and To the Moon

2011-04-01T09:01:00.001-07:00

I bought a bouquet of flowers this week and found this eucalyptus sprig to be a challenge to draw. Trying to get perspective on the leaves was probably the most challenging.

I put some of my other ink drawings in a collage. In a black and white mood this week I guess. Last summer I was really paying attention to the phases of the moon and drew it a lot, especially the full moon. Did you see the super moon? I tried, but too cloudy here that night. I saw it on TV and couldn't believe how bit it was. Wish I could've seen it.

Three Keys and Bugle Sketch

2011-03-26T09:46:00.001-07:00

Some new things I've been working on this week. I drew the daisies in this collage a few weeks ago and then decided to paint a few of the petals. I put several other drawings in this collage with a vintage piece of paper.

This is my challenge drawing for the week. I always draw flowers and those are easy so I want to draw something that is more challenging each week to increase my skills. My husband found this bugle mouthpiece out in the desert and I chose it to draw. It was a challenge! The top round part was difficult for me and it took me a while with a lot of erasing, good thing I have a big eraser.

Red Flower Boutique and Pansies

2011-03-21T13:51:00.000-07:00

I've been taking a photoshop class and learning some more techniques. I had an assignment to design a poster using 1-3 colors and red came to mind for a little boutique poster ad.

I used the same technique from the poster above for this flower using a drawing of pansies I'd done a while ago in colored pencil. The center of the flower is yet another painting.

This flower is done the same way just using a different section of the drawing. I put these flowers and the poster on some spring gifts in my Zazzle shop for spring.

Hollyhocks and Butterflies

2011-03-10T11:01:00.000-08:00

Thinking of spring I designed a new collage called Hollyhocks and Butterflies with bright red hollyhock flowers in watercolor and ink. I've yet to be real successful in growing hollyhocks. It seems though if they just get started they come back each year. I've seen them in places I thought would be impossible for them to grow and they bloom happily with little water and sun and support. They are a great flower for fences. Maybe I'll scatter some seed near my fence this year, leave them and see what happens.

March Daffodils

2011-03-04T11:30:00.001-08:00

Daffodils are the flower for March birthdays. They are one of my favorites. Bright yellow, sometimes
coming up when the snow is still falling, braving the cold and one of the first signs of spring.

I drew these a few years ago from my garden in Winnemucca before we moved to Fallon. I had five acres to play around on, but I only had a small portion planted in flowers, the kids claimed the rest they loved to dig in the dirt... These were in the front of the house and they spread themselves out nicely coming up each year bright and happy when the days began to warm. I planted hyacinths where we live now and am anxiously awaiting their colors - hope they bloom anyway :)

Spring Rabbit and Daisies

2011-02-25T07:42:00.001-08:00

In a mood for spring and all my garden seed catalogs are arriving in the mail so I decided to draw a rabbit in the garden. Around here we mostly have jack rabbits that dart out from behind sagebrush, their long ears are usually the first thing I see on them. Sometimes while walking I will see a little cotton tail quietly sitting by a bush in a yard, not afraid and just watching.

I've been trying to draw my Valentine's Day/Anniversary bouquet as much as possible before it fades away. It had lots of daisies, a couple red roses, baby's breath, pink carnations and some Easter lilies. The Easter lilies were still closed when I put the flowers in a vase. After a few hours they began to open up and after a couple of days they were in full bloom and the perfume scent so strong I had to remove them from the house. Potent stuff! The daisies seem to be lasting the longest and they are my favorite so I am happy.

Nevada and Lake Tahoe Landscape Greeting Cards

2011-02-18T09:33:00.000-08:00

I've been taking photoshop and illustrator classes this semester and am learning a lot. Love the different techniques you can do. Frosty landscape in Nevada I made into a thank you card.

We hiked up to Marlette Lake last October and the leaves were beginning to turn.

Marlette Lake hike again. Will definitely be doing this hike this year too. These cards will be in my Greeting Card Universe store soon. Have a great weekend. It is snowing here finally after a couple of weeks of spring-like weather - dry, dusty and too warm. Really glad for the snow.

Green Pumpkins, Eagle and Notecard Set

2011-02-09T12:27:00.000-08:00

Here is another pumpkin sketch to add to my collection of winter drawings. This is probably one of the last I'll be able to do as they are rotting quickly. I still think they have lots of character even when collapsing into themselves, but then I really like pumpkins... I am hoping to switch to flowers after Valentine's Day...

On a walk last weekend I saw a stunning eagle in a tree. I think it was a bald eagle because it had a white head and dark brown body and was huge, but not sure - I need to study up on birds. I watched him for a while, sketching quickly, wishing I'd brought my binoculars. As I started to walk up to him to get a better view to sketch he decided that was close enough and flew off the branch causing it to dip deeply. He soared away his wings making a loud, heavy noise as he took off. I loved it.

A new collection of notecards in my Artfire shop for spring. I have several collections in there and have a few more to add. I've been slowly stocking my shop with needlework patterns, original art work and cards. I' really enjoying being on there.

Shakespeare Journal and Watercolor Flowers

2011-02-02T07:52:00.000-08:00

Since I joined Etsy three years ago I've wanted one of these Shakespeare journals from ImmortalLongings They have fabulous illustrations on the covers related to Shakespeare's plays and come in a handful of colors. I chose the journal from "The Tempest" and it is lovely, so excited to have it. And all the way from London, which I think is neat too.

I've been putting some of my spring flower paintings in my ArtfireShop to have a little color in the wintery days - although it has been quite nice here in Nevada. Lots of sun, but cold.

This is a victorian hat illustration inspired by tea parties and the days when dressing very nice for special occasions was in vogue. A little colored pencil and watercolor. Now I am thinking of working with some watercolor pencils. I have a few and have been playing around with them. They are great because they give the effect of watercolor with the pencil strokes. Like that.

Columbines, Winter Leaf and Feather

2011-01-26T06:29:00.000-08:00

I've been drawing with pen and ink a lot lately. This is an older drawing and I wanted to see how my technique has changed over the years or if it has. I use a broader tip pen now so I get more color, big lines - be courageous I tell myself :) But then I look at the more delicate lines with the finer tip pen and I like that too. It does take more work to get different effects so maybe I will leave it up to my mood. I recently made this design into some Zazzle products.

We went out to the lake on Sunday and I took a walk gathering some things I found interesting to draw. Lots of little feathers, shells, cockelburs and great leaves with holes in them (my favorite). Since it is winter I wanted the paintings to look cold so I used blue and embellished the feather a bit. In reality it is gray. The leaf is pretty accurate though, the holes were very round. I guess the insect was very neat that worked on this one. I admire that. I will have these up in my Etsy store soon.

Pink Roses and Artfire

2011-01-24T14:00:00.000-08:00

In thinking of Valentine's Day, not too far away, pink roses came to mind. Soft pink roses in watercolor with not too much worry in placement of color, just letting it flow. No stress painting.

This is a little ACEO I painted a couple years ago that is in someone else's collection now. I was playing with it in photoshop and blended it with some other images I painted and some brushes to see what I could come up with. I've been busy setting up shop at Artfire with my needlework patterns. Please come and visit if you have a chance http://countrygarden.artfire.com

Winter Pumpkins and Botanicals

2011-01-14T14:26:00.000-08:00

My pumpkins are still in the garden and looking a little moldy and green, but another one I set apart from the others didn't look as bad. It stayed intact as long as I didn't touch it... I wanted to use a lot of dark muted colors to give the feel of winter. I'm glad I kept the pumpkins in the garden, they've kept me entertained for a long time.

One of my new designs for iPad cases, iPhone cases and mousepads in my Zazzle store. They can be personalized with font, words and font color changed to fit whatever you need. Zazzle is a fun site.

Seed Pods and Tahoe Avalanche

2011-01-07T13:03:00.001-08:00

I went to an author's luncheon last fall and there were a lot of Nevada and northern California authors there. Two of the books I bought were mysteries (I bought a lot - I love books :). One set in Reno and the other in Lake Tahoe. It is really fun to read stories set in places that are familiar. Tahoe Avalanche was really good. The author did a lot of research on avalanches and the mystery was entertaining. I learned a lot about how avalanches are dealt with, set off and the what avalanche areas look like on the mountain after the snow has melted. Learned a lot more about Tahoe too - more places to hike! The murder(s) involved some 1870 Carson City Double Eagle gold coins which made it fun for me too. We love old coins and Nevada history in my family. Highly recommend this book, great author.

Slim pickens in the garden and surrounding landscape this time of year to draw so I try to find some neat seed pods. Dead, or asleep, plants can be interesting too. I just use a lot of color!

Wisteria and Winter Branches

2010-12-29T18:39:00.001-08:00

Working with purples while it is snowing today. This is the first time I've drawn and painted a wisteria. I love them and they smell so good. I used pencil, watercolor and colored pencil in this drawing. I really played around with lavenders adding blues and pinks to change the tone.

One of our flowering plum trees in the backyard is completely bare of leaves and the other still has lots of leaves. Both have little dried plums. I drew this on a very cold day so I wanted to paint it in chilly blue shades. Happy New Year!

Snow Fort Watercolor

2010-12-20T13:29:00.000-08:00

Lots of snow on Friday, enough to make a nice snow fort, but it didn't last long. It warmed up quick and melted fast. Aaron filled buckets of snow and made the walls. When it melted to this point it reminded me of the rock houses I like to draw so I wanted to sketch it really quick. I added my own landscape perspective and wanted the full moon in there. Have a Merry Christmas!

Blue Lilacs and Sweet Pea Paper

2010-12-14T11:51:00.000-08:00

I've been thinking ahead to Mother's Day and designing for that holiday. It is one of my favorite holidays to design for because flowers go with moms I think. I don't often sketch in blue ink, but I like how it turned out so will try it again. Seems a little softer to me than the black ink.

And another stationery I designed for my Zazzle shop with a shabby look to it. I really like designing these too. Flowers go good with stationery. Writing letters is fun and something unique and meaningful anymore. My mother loves to write letters so I like to give her stationery every year.

Nature Spirit Collage and Petunias

2010-12-09T12:00:00.001-08:00

This is some stationery I've been working on. I've been in a blue and grey theme mood lately. Reminds me of snow I think and we don't have any yet so I am wishing for some.

I've been playing around with drawing nature spirits, fairies and such and blending them with my flowers. I like their mystery. I've been having a great time fixing up my Zazzle shop. It is a very fun site. Please stop by if you have a minute www.zazzle.com/countrygarden

Snowman Christmas

2010-11-29T13:21:00.001-08:00

Getting in the Christmas spirit and snowmen are a favorite. I called this one "Snowgirls" and left it in a whimsical style using pencil and watercolor.

This is an older design I did years ago, but I still like him. I put him in my Zazzle store today along with the girls above, on Christmas cards and a few other things. Hope your day is good.

Midas Nevada Barn

2010-11-22T11:40:00.001-08:00

I've been wanting to do a lot of structures with landscapes lately. This one is from Midas, Nevada. Midas is tucked in a canyon with mountain walls close by on either side. Some interesting buildings there.

Home in Paradise Valley, Nevada

2010-11-15T13:18:00.001-08:00

When we lived in Winnemucca we used to go to Paradise Valley a lot. There are some great old buildings there. I don't know what this one was but I think it looks like a boarding house so that is what I called it. In reality the building is a faded tan/brown and there's not as much green but all the cracks in the brick, boarded windows and faded curtains are there - so half and half authentic interpretation. Fun to play with color a little.

Pen and Ink Frozen Tomatoes and Pumpkins

2010-11-11T09:07:00.000-08:00

This is a patio tomato I planted in an old rusty bucket we found out in the desert. I had trouble with the tomatoes cracking as they grew larger this summer, which I learned was from too much watering. I would give it an ice cream bucket of water a day thinking it was so hot it needed it. Now I know just a little bit will do. It looks neat now after the frost with long curled leaves and one little greenish brown -olive green maybe - tomato that looks very mushy.

My son worked at a farm this fall where there was a pumpkin patch and after Halloween he brought me home several pumpkins to draw. I placed them here and there in the garden and have been drawing them daily from different perspectives. I really liked them with the frozen stems and tomatoes.

Chrysanthemum - Asters and a Cat

2010-11-05T14:11:00.000-07:00

I always like to grow asters. They are the last to bloom and they bloom for a very long time. They come in lots of colors. I see them at the grocery store a will sometimes buy them there and keep them in the house a while. They are a no fuss flower for me and that is important! Want to spend time painting or drawing them.

Our cat likes to lay in the garden and he has several spots that he has flattened and claimed as his own. He has been sick lately and I was really worried, but he worked his way through what he had and is better now. Very happy.

I have a white aster and like the resemblence to the shasta daisy. I think I will pick up another aster in a vibrant color next time I see them at the store. Hopefully the white and the vibrant color will get along.

Como Cattails and Pine Grove Window

2010-10-28T12:16:00.001-07:00

Exploring a little ghost town called Pine Grove a few weeks ago I was reading the carved messages, initials and signs in the wood of the collapsed buildings. This one in particular caught my eye because of the ragged wood, mesh linings, old nails sticking out. Someone else thought it was cool too and carved that above the window. I liked the bright perspective of the landscape outside the window against the darkness of the wood.

After a very hot, bumpy, and very long drive up a dirt road we explored Como near Dayton, Nevada. Lots of juniper trees with pine cones blooming on the branches heavily covered in sap. Dirt roads go off in all directions. I set off by myself wanting to see the water source down by the trees. Rabbit brush blooming and me sneezing as I draw. Bugs of all kinds buzz around making me wonder how badly I want to be drawing there. A marshy area is full of cattails and milkweed and other yellow flowers - I decide to paint mine pink. I'm a little bored with the yellow.

Marlette Lake Hike and Spencers Cabin

2010-10-18T13:28:00.001-07:00

We hiked to Marlette Lake yesterday before the rain hit. This little cabin is 280sq. ft and was where Spencer, a caretaker, lived years ago. The aspens look wonderfully bright this time of year on the hike leading to the lake. When we got to the lake and sat on some rocks to eat our lunch we saw a big beaver swimming by with a leafy branch. He saw us watching him and didn't like it so dove quickly under and away. He made my day along with just being up in Lake Tahoe for the day.

Pink English Roses Watercolor

2010-10-13T12:52:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine has lovely rose and she gave me some to dry for a grapevine wreath I am going to make. I am going to try and decorate it with things from nature and see how it goes. So far I have pinecones, several types of roses, some sedum, cone flower and I will find some other things to fill in. These roses smell sweet even with they are dry.

A looser study of the same roses with no ink. Might make a nice fabric print or wallpaper, makes me think of victorian wallpaper.

November Chrysanthemums and Old Barn

2010-10-04T14:24:00.001-07:00

The chrysanthemum is the flower for November and some meanings are loveliness, abundance and wealth. I have white chrysanthemums that are getting ready to open any day. After our days of rain hopefully it will be soon.

This is one of the few old barns made mostly of wood without any rocks. The roof appeared to be a layer of dirt maybe on top of boards, but weeds started to grow so it acted like a sod roof. One of the old barns and animal pens in northern Nevada.

Grantsville and Weeks Nevada Trash

2010-09-21T15:53:00.000-07:00

Weeks, Nevada is along the Carson River with great roads to ride a four wheeler or ride horses. We found a trash dump and I collected some nice flowery china chips that I may make into a mosaic someday. Or maybe not. I kind of like the way they look in the glass jar I have them in.

Grantsville is a ghost town with lots of buildings still intact. The rabbit brush is blooming bright yellow right now and pollen rich, dare to breathe deep in its midst.

Back to Weeks again. There are small piles of sun-bleached pale red shotgun shells here and there around the area. Everything is shot up. Signs, all the old trash, new beer and soda cans; anything that could possibly be used as a target has been found and shot full of holes. Even a DVD, guess they were done with it.

Berlin Outhouse

2010-09-14T15:09:00.000-07:00

We explored the Berlin-Ichthyosaur Nevada State Park. I was glad to be able to see it this time of year. The last time we went it was covered in knee-deep snow and snowshoes would have been very handy to have. There are many buildings and cabins still standing. This is the outhouse that is behind Mr. Watson's house with the antique stove and table with old bottles. In the assay office there are still glass jars, beakers and other lab equipment. This is where Mr. Doolan stayed, who was the midnight watchman. He would eat his lunch in there while taking a break from patrolling the town watching for fires and thieves. The mill still has equipment and stable rock foundations. On up the road is the Ichthyosaur remains display. It is amazing to think water covered that area and a fish that big, about the size of a large whale, lived there.

Mt. Tallac Staircase

2010-09-08T10:04:00.001-07:00

We decided to hike Mt. Tallac a couple weekends ago to see what it was like without the snow. We hiked it in June and didn't get too much further than Floating Island Lake. This time the floating island at Floating Island Lake was under water and we hiked beyond Cathedral Lake. The views are stunning and the hike on up to the top is steep and uphill almost all the way - I like a few more plateaus :) This is a neat rock staircase just past Cathedral Lake. We didn't go too much further than this, need to get in better shape. We heard getting to the top is worth the hike and I can imagine it is. Maybe someday.

Autumn, Leaves and Lady

2010-09-02T08:44:00.001-07:00

I am so happy September is here. Looking forward to Autumn and the changing colors, cooler temperatures, football games and better sleeping.

When I walk I like finding interesting leaves to draw. Leaves with lots of flaws. Small twigs with clusters of leaves still on it. Leaves that are still soft, but yellow - like they have just fallen.

A collage with peaceful elements of nature to blend with her tranquil mood.

Full Moon and Cherry Tomatoes

2010-08-23T14:38:00.000-07:00

My two favorite phases of the moon are the crescent and the full moon, especially the full moon. I've been keeping track of the moon phases in my journal. It seems to come out different each time I draw it; sometimes really large and I really like to play with the shadows and patterns on the moon. Sometimes I color it green.

My cherry tomatoes are as round and full as the moon right now, but still green. So I will probably paint my moon above green.

This is my imaginary field of flowers on the night of a full moon. I walk through it smelling the fragrance as I brush the flower petals. I can't decide if there is a storm brewing or if a storm just passed and there is a little breeze. Only the crickets are making sounds.

Zinnia and Daisy Watercolor

2010-08-17T14:40:00.001-07:00

My zinnias are in full bloom right now, loving the heat I guess ~ well they are in the front so they only get the morning sun. That must be why they are still smiling. The yellow daisies are tucked in a corner of the backyard garden. These are the two flowers braving the heat until the aster begins to bloom next month.

Tomato Drawings

2010-08-11T09:09:00.000-07:00

My cherry tomatoes are really starting to ripen in the garden so I've been drawing them daily. My yellow daisies are loving life too and are as bright as the sun.

These were the first cherry tomatoes I picked. They were a nice size, very sweet and juicy. It is so great to grow things and be able to eat them right out of the garden.

I've not tried friend green tomatoes, but have always been very curious about them. Have you?

Nature Spirit Mystical Note Cards

2010-08-04T08:16:00.000-07:00

I've been working on collage notecards with fairies or nature spirits among the flowers. This one is called Willow and is is among the wildflowers in a valley with rolling hills and a full moon.

These are three sisters, or maybe friends, or both playing among the patches of chamomile and purple lupines in the garden on a summer day under a bright blue sky.

Pink Wildflower Meadow and Poppy ACEO

2010-07-26T13:49:00.001-07:00

Visiting northern California last weekend many flowers were in bloom. Fields filled with big bright yellow sunflowers and poppies here and there.

Along the interstate and highways big flowering bushes in shades of pink were in bloom. The wine country is lovely with the rolling hills, vineyards and quiet roads.

Lake Tahoe Mt. Tallac Collage Card

2010-07-20T09:01:00.000-07:00

Mt. Tallac in Lake Tahoe still has snow in July. On July 4th we decided to join the crowds in Lake Tahoe (don't know if we will again...:) and take our kayak out on the water. It was really choppy so I decided to take the kayak and go down Taylor creek that branches off the lake. It was nice and smooth and deserted, just what I like. The lupines were in full bloom, the trees were in full leaf and had great shades of green. Mt. Tallac stands tall in the background still decorated with snow. In this collage I also included sepia daisy drawings and a page from my journal noting the phase of the moon which is a fun thing to pay attention to for me.

Mandalas and Zentangles

2010-07-13T08:30:00.001-07:00

In reading the "Auntie Moon" blog this morning I came upon information about mandalas and how they are used for mediation and relaxation. One woman took a mandala to the nursing home with her when she went to visit her mother. She colored the mandala with her mother during the visit and the meditative process of coloring was very calming and relaxing.

I found this to be very similar in drawing zentangles. Drawing lines, making shapes with intersections and swirls. The anticipation of what other new shapes may be formed, whether they are bold and thick or fine and dainty.

A lot of zentangles are left black and white, but I really love color so I add a little here and there. I am going to try some mandalas, maybe try to draw my own to see what I come up with. It is also interesting when the mandala is finished to notice which colors were chosen and then research the meanings of the colors.

Full Moons, Fairies and Yoga

2010-07-05T08:27:00.001-07:00

I've been very interested in studying the moon lately and keeping track of the phases. The full moon has always intrigued me. I enjoy just being outside in a full moon - something like a camping trip near a lake during the days of the full moon and the light of the moon glistening on the water; I really like that.

This is Treena a little nature spirit I drew the other day. She is already living with someone new and I miss her a little so I will draw more little nature spirits. She loves blue butterflies.

Along with my interest in the moon are serene and dreamy mystical drawings. I love all of it -yoga, fairies, stories of old castles and the lore that goes along with flowers and how they have been used for centuries.

Love in a Mist Flower Study

2010-06-30T08:29:00.000-07:00

I planted "Love in a Mist" flower seeds last year and they produced little spindly fragile flowers. I let the flowers go to seed and this year they are really strong and tall. They have really neat seed pods and if you like to make dried flower bouquets they add a lot of charm. The seed pods keep their shape and the seeds inside rattle a little. I like them.

My flowers are mostly white so I decided to play with color a little bit. These flowers have come up all over in my backyard, even in the gravel, so I have a lot of them to paint. The flowers don't last long and it seems the seed pods are there for a very long time so I guess I will spend some time studying them. The flowers have very fine leaf clusters and as the flowers begin to fade the tops begin to curl inside themselves and take on a whole new character. Very fun flower.

Flower Collage Birthday Cards

2010-06-25T06:58:00.001-07:00

I really like digital collage, really fun to do. This is a dreamy celestial card. It makes me think of doing yoga outside; maybe in a flowering meadow and letting my imagination roam, and little fairies keeping me company - but being quiet.

Purple anemones are so pretty and I love the black centers. These are some of the newest cards I have in my Greeting Card Universe shop. I think I will be working on some more digital collage art.

Cancer Astrology Birthday Card

2010-06-21T08:59:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to all those born under the sign of Cancer. I have a Cancer moon. Cancer people love their homes and family. They are receptive, sensitive, imaginative, sympathetic, kind, emotional and can have great intuition. Their most likeable trait is their loyalty, I like that.

Lake Tahoe Spring Mt. Tallac Hike

2010-06-14T10:03:00.000-07:00

On a weekend camping trip to Fallen Leaf white, pink and purple phlox and a tall yellow flower were growing all over the campground, especially the yellow flower. Squirrels and blue jays were constant companions at breakfast. We were notified upon our arrival that the bears were very active in the campground, mamas and cubs, and our particular site was their favorite entry point.... we didn't see any the whole weekend so on the last morning woke up early around sunrise and walked to the bathroom (I was hoping to see one :). We saw a young brown bear nosing around a campsite, one with a cooler left out. He saw us as we saw him and then he went about his business. I was happy.

One day while we were there we hiked up Mt. Tallac as far as we could go. We reached Floating Island Lake which had one duck that we could see. We continued on just to see how deep the snow really was. It became deeper and more constant as we continued toward the next lake. We decided to turn back after climbing a very snowy hill and looked beyond and still more snow. We'll wait a few weeks and try to get to the next lake again.

I believe this is Sulfur Flower, which was growing all over the campgrounds. Great time of year to go.

Happy Birthday Mom Greeting Card

2010-06-07T09:58:00.001-07:00

I put my orange pansy painting into a birthday card for mothers. Most mothers like flowers I think.

Illustration Friday - Trail

2010-06-04T10:01:00.001-07:00

Follow the trail home, or beyond, where ever it may take you. Hope you have a good weekend!

Zentangle Eye in the Sky ACEO

2010-06-01T11:05:00.001-07:00

A collection of little ACEO paintings. These are little paintings that are fun to collect. Fun to have for display on a desk or in small places. Easy to find frames for a 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" painting.

This one is called "Eye in the Sky" and is a zentangle style drawing with watercolor washes. A dreamy kind of drawing.

Yellow Orange Gerbera Daisies and Gemini

2010-05-25T09:21:00.001-07:00

I like imperfect flowers. I like those that are starting to shrivel and curl their petals. I like the flowers that have the sharp pointed petals rather than the perfectly placed petals with no flaws. I think the imperfect flowers have a lot of character and interest. They have curls in unexpected places, crossed petals, jagged lines and look like they've been through a lot but are still hanging in their, they still have their color.

Happy birthday to those born under the sign of Gemini, the sign of the twins.

Spring Flower Sketching

2010-05-18T09:19:00.000-07:00

One of the oddest things in life, I think,
is the things one remembers. ~ Agatha Christie

People are always good company when they

are doing what they really enjoy. ~ Samuel Butler

Life is not a problem to be solved,

but a mystery to be lived. ~Thomas Merton

A few thoughts for today.

China Aster Flower Meaning

2010-05-10T08:45:00.001-07:00

The China Aster flower means love of variety, afterthought, and jealousy. I learned there are over 600 species of aster flowers and that the China Aster is the most common variety used by florists. I enjoy asters for their bright sun-yellow centers and their similarity to the daisy. It is more difficult to do "he loves me, he loves me not" with the asters like you can with the daisy, but they are still fun to play with anyway.

Aries Astrology Collage Print

2010-05-04T08:49:00.001-07:00

Aries birthdays have already passed, but since they are the first sign of the twelve I wanted to start there. I have been inspired to make collages out of my illustrations and the astrological information I've found. Aries being a fire sign this is a fun bright one full of reds, yellows and oranges. Different symbols you would find in a horoscope blended with the related personality information. Working on Taurus next, happy birthday to all Taureans out there.

Apple and Apple Blossom Flower Meaning

2010-04-27T11:39:00.001-07:00

Apple blossoms are the state flower of Arkansas, once a top apple producing state.

Apples are symbols of love, youth, beauty and happiness. Apples have an interesting history in mythology and legends. The temptation of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Johnny Appleseed traveling the country handing out apple tree seedlings and planting trees. He dreamed of a landscape filled with apple trees and the beauty of apple blossoms where no one would go hungry. In Avalon where Celtic heros are buried, including King Arthur, is referred to as "Apple Island".

Nevada Beach Lake Tahoe

2010-04-19T12:36:00.001-07:00

Took a drive to visit Lake Tahoe over the weekend and find our way to Kirkwood. Great weather but still snow on most of the beaches. We found one that was a bit soggy but still okay. The sun was shining bright and all was just right. The Tahoe Queen was on her first route of the day. Lots of people out with kids and dogs and kayaks.

Seemed to be lots of people milling about Nevada Beach. Our first visit to this one. We usually go to Pope, Tallac or Baldwin on the other side. This one was free of snow and the view of the mountains was beautiful. Lots of photo-takers - mostly of the mountains and lake- but a couple people took photos mostly of themselves with cell phone cameras, guess they liked that view better...

Anemone Flower Meaning

2010-04-13T09:06:00.001-07:00

The Anemone flower means anticipation, expectation. The name "Anemone" comes from the greek word for "windflower". The mythological connection for this flower is Aphrodite. It is said that the anemone flower sprang from Aphrodite's tears as she mourned the death of Adonis. The anemone is thought to bring luck and protect against evil. It is also said to be associated with the fairy world. The anemone flower closes at sunset and it is believed that the fairies sleep under the petals after they close.

Lake Lahontan Nevada Illustrations

2010-04-08T07:38:00.001-07:00

Easter sunday started out very nice at the lake, but later on began to get blustery. Lots of dark colors in the sky and water throwing dark shadows on the mountains. The birds really pop out in the dim colors.

I tried a different perspective of the beach since there were lots of interesting rock patterns and just one little sagebrush bush growing at the edge.

Lake Tahoe Note Cards

2010-04-06T08:49:00.000-07:00

Lake Tahoe is very fun to paint for the variety of natural things it has. The clear blue water and the tree covered mountains that sometimes still have snow in early summer. The colorful beach umbrellas perched in the sand.

Many sailboats gracefully glide through the water.

April's Sweetpeas, Watercolor Roses and Poetry

2010-04-02T09:02:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to all those born in April! The flowers for April babies are daisy and sweet pea. Some related meanings are innocence, youth, purity, goodbye, blissful pleasure and departure. My husband's birthday is in April.

Roses and poetry go nicely together. This watercolor collage print has a poem about having roses in the garden as well as in the heart. I thought it was nice for mothers too because I think of them as having beautiful roses in their hearts and I added a few silhouettes of children to symbolize a mother's love.

In this print I was indulging my love for pink, especially pink flowers. Hope your weekend is filled with lots of fresh air and sunshine.

Amaryllis Flower Meaning

2010-03-30T14:09:00.001-07:00

Amaryllis means pride, timidity, splendid beauty. This was another fun flower with mythological connections, it has been a bit since I've run across one with a fun story behind it. The story says that Amaryllis was a shy timid nymph and she fell deeply in love with Alteo who was a shepherd with Herculean strength and the beauty of Apollo. She hoped to win him over with what he wanted most, a unique flower that had never existed before. The oracle of Delphi instructed Amaryllis to appear at Alteo's door for 30 nights piercing her heart with a golden arrow each time. When he finally opened his door there was this lovely crimson flower sprung from the blood of Amaryllis's heart. Such romantic and tragic love!

Globe Amaranth Flower Meaning

2010-03-24T08:47:00.001-07:00

Globe Amaranth also called Gomphrena means immortality; unfading love. It is a tropical plant native to central America. They are round, papery, clover-like flowers. Easy to grow and great for drying for dried flower bouquets. Retain their color after drying - thus unfading love...

Tobacco Wall, Rustic Cabin and Spring Collage Prints

2010-03-19T09:03:00.000-07:00

I liked this wall I saw in Jacksonville, Oregon. It had several words printed on it over time as if different businesses had used it to advertise their wares. I just focused on the words tobacco and king because I thought they went together and they were closest to the dark window.

Anxious to plant flowers, especially daisies. I like to have lots of cut flowers in the garden so I can have flowers in the house all season long. I added a little poem by William Wordsworth to this collage print because he seems to like daisies too.

A pen and ink drawing of a rustic cabin found in the desert. It isn't very often we see them this complete. They were very creative in the way they built some of the structures they lived in. A lot of them were makeshift because they knew they wouldn't be staying long.

Desert Cactus

2010-03-16T09:34:00.001-07:00

Hiking in the desert we found lots of little cactus plants that look similar to a prickly pear, but smaller. It had rained the night before and water droplets were very sparkly in the morning sun.

March Daffodils

2010-03-12T08:33:00.000-08:00

A very happy birthday wish to those born in March! The flower for March birthdays is the lovely daffodil that we should see popping up very soon, I've seen a few tall green stems in our area, but no flowers just yet.

Sweet Pea Iris Collage Art Print

2010-03-08T08:31:00.001-08:00

I used to have a lovely iris plant growing in our garden that my grandmother gave me. She always had the most beautiful gardens, flowers grew happily for her. Iris are so tolerant and are happy to be divided so she gave me a sample one year and I took it home and planted it. It made itself right at home and bloomed beautiful purple flowers every spring.

I am really starting to enjoy collage art now mixing my flower drawings and paintings into something new. This is my latest creation available as a note card or 8 x 10 print.

Sweet Alyssum Flower Meaning

2010-03-04T08:22:00.000-08:00

Sweet alyssum, Lobularia maritima, means "worth beyond beauty". It is native to southern Europe. A very hardy annual with a sweet fragrance good for borders. Blooms a very long time. This is one of my favorite flowers to grow, it loves to peek out through rocks and mine reseeds every year. Also, I found that the name is from "a-not lyssa" - rage - a myth relates that the plant dispels anger. Sure makes me happy when I look at it.

Pine Grove Nevada

2010-03-01T11:54:00.001-08:00

An old mining town near Yerington, Nevada called Pine Grove. It was here for just a few years starting in 1866. The miners found lots of gold in this area in the middle of the mountains. Very steep area with tall close mountains on each side of the town site, must have been a challenge to haul it all out.

Althaea Frutex ~ Syrian Mallow Flower

2010-02-24T11:41:00.000-08:00

Althaea Frutex also called Syrian Mallow means persuasian. This flower is in the same family as the hibiscus which grows in tropical climates, like lovely Hawaii, and the flower is used to make a tasty tea.

IF Propagate

2010-02-19T11:09:00.000-08:00

Propagate - these milkweed seed heads did this months ago sending their silky white seeds through the air. Now they stand with the seed pods dried in the position they opened.