Color Spree

Going on a Color Spree.

Railroad Tracks, 

Foot Prints,

Drum Beats, 

Polka Dots,

Seeds.

Birds in line.

Summer Roads,

Summer Sun, 

Summer Sea, 

Fog and Mist,

Pure Glee.

Going on a Color Spree.

Glazing Bands of Watercolor

Still playing, this time with "glazing".

Paint bands of color, let them dry.

Paint new bands of color, let them dry.

Paint newer bands of color, let them dry.

Keep going until it feels done.

(Not sure this one is.)

Sometimes let wet bands of color 

run into other wet bands of color.

Have your paper taped down to a board.

Paint holding the board with one hand & brush with the other,

tilting the board to let the paint roll around.

With each new layer, your colors become so vivid. 

And that makes it worth the wait!

Painted Paper Building Blocks: The Series

The painted paper building blocks are forming a series, 

as Barbara (Folkways Notebook) mentioned in her comment

on the previous post.

The 4th image no longer exists because it was too chaotic for me, 

even though the text inserted into it is about BALANCE. 

It morphed into the first two.

This is most definitely a natural form of art for children, 

as Monique (La Table de Nana) commented.

 I used to do it with 1st & 2nd grade art students.

I guess I'm going back in time. It's good fun.

Library Sketches on a Perfect Summer Day

Sketches direct from my watercolor sketchbook. 

It was another beautiful sunny-breezy day out, 

but there we were, indoors, in the quiet Reading Room 

of the Camden Public Library. 

ANY day of the year is a good day for the library in my book!

And some people have their work to do, no matter the weather...

Here's the thing about using water in the library: 

You have to be very, very careful, especially when there are big majestic oak tables.

(Bring lots of paper towels & baggies.)

Lupines Close Up

Two close-up studies of lupines.

They're spectacular from afar, 

but up close, the blossoms are splendid! 

They'll be gone soon, having an average 2 week blossoming.

A tip for gardeners: apparently they don't like soil that is too rich. 

And who knew that they are not a native wildflower...

Barbara Cooney was quoted in the latest Downeast Magazine,  

saying that they were not always so numerous in Maine. 

Maybe it was indeed the lupine lady who brought us this pleasure.

Gateway to the Park

The other day I was struck by the entrance to the park that is 

right next to the Camden Library. 

I've seen it many times before, 

but there was something especially beautiful about it at that moment.

I had just received a new 5 X 7 sketchbook gift from a visiting friend, 

so what else could I do, but sketch? 

Lupines in the Back Field

 Miniature, Ink & watercolor 21/4 X 3"

How did I get so lucky to have a field of wild lupines behind my home? 

All day long they keep me company.

For years the beloved picture book, Miss Rumphius, 

by Barbara Cooney has been my favorite.

Based on the real Lupine Lady who scattered lupine seeds

everywhere she went, it's a beautiful book on many levels. 

Les oiseaux

A French Expression was given to me recently.

"Petit à petit, l'oiseau fait son nid." 

"Little by little, the bird builds its nest.

It's like a little bird delivered it to me when I needed it. 

They are speaking out there on their branches as I write. Another beautiful language.

Gifts of the Chopstick

More from the chopstick, (sharpened with x-acto knife), about 8.5 X 7 inches

I started with the word "Dear" & the other words seemed to lay themselves down on their own...

As they did, a number of reflections & connections surfaced...Very peaceful...

Valerie Sjodin's wonderful blog shows her calligraphic art that is expressive of her spiritual journey. In part, her style influenced this little flow. She gives online workshops, such as "Lettering & Doodling". 

To see her blog, click here.

Also, there is a calligraphy training technique of checking your letter forms by coloring in spaces. 

I took lessons once. I never got too far, but I enjoyed the practice. 

(But we didn't use chopsticks.)

I wonder what gift the chopstick will bring next time?

( Chère Malyss, "Chopsticks" sont "des baguettes pour manger", selon des dictionnaires d'Internet.

C'est une partie des traditions asiatiques. )

(Ah hah! "Chopstick" is "baguette" in French &

  "baguette magique" is "magic wand" in English"!)

Peaceful Wandering

A chopstick & India ink created the lines. Because my hand has less control than with a manufactured marker the lines flow of their own accord & I am more of a witness than the creator. The colors, Winsor Blue, Phthalo Turquoise, Alizaron Crimson, Hooker's Green, & a touch of Naples Yellow are also linear, made by a #10 sable brush. The scene is one I revisit often. It brings me peace. 

Joy at the Farmer's Market

The Farmer's Market in Portland is, of course, about 

buying & sellling homegrown plants, person to person.

But it's so much more...

Music!! The Resonant Rogues from South Carolina:

"Gypsy jazz & tradtional eastern European music... 
American folk... old-time, blues & vintage hot jazz." 

Be still my heart!

I, oldish person, & young, toddler person are mesmerized...

As is this pair.

High school boys, playing folky pop tunes, 

grandparent-generation tunes! 

Young, perhaps girlfriend-of-musician person, admiring, 
on her market wagon bench, while I admire all three.

Baby persons! Going to the Farmer's Market, a good start in life!

 Happy family persons with their happy baby carriage,
 loaded with plants to take home. Along with little guy's scooter. 

The healthy, beautiful energy from the local farm stands
 sends out & attracts joy!
Lucky was I to have been a part of it on Saturday morning!