Today's Garden Pictures

 This rosebush is well on the way to filling BOTH the front AND back yards. The fact that it's older than I am and shows no signs of slowing down inspires me to be a survivor too. Who could ask for more than to remain strong and beautiful no matter what life throws at you just like this old rosebush.

 I took this picture while sitting in that green wicker chair next to the fruit trees. I kept hoping I'd be able to catch a photo of birds at the feeders but no luck so far.

This little corner needs something, pillows and cushions help but I seldom bother to put them out so I'm looking for a better solution, any ideas?

Plants and Flowers, keeping it fresh

 I like the way the light hit in this photo as I was washing, watering and re potting plants this morning.

 Yes, I just rounded up all of the plants and put them in the kitchen sink.

 Having done the regular work I became interested in the light and the composition as I considered more drawings and paintings of the poinsettia before it's finished flowering for the season. It's so nice to have a little fresh color around here to work with.

Now all I need to do is decide whether I'd rather work directly from the plant or benefit by the composition and lighting of the photo. I suspect I'll do both.

To Market, to market-the big finish

 Here's a wide shot of the chaos as I continue to work at the dining room table.

 One last look at the inspiration photo from my garden alongside the painting.

 I'll try listing this on eBay first. The next attempt will be on etsy. It isn't about preferring one to the other, it's about using my free listings first.

I've attached the inspiration photo to the back along with a little information on the painting.

50 Ways to leave your lover

I was thinking of Paul Simon's song "50 ways to leave your lover" while out in the garden today. I often think of music while enjoying the sights and sounds of the garden and when this song popped into my head it occurred to me that he had a point. There are a number of ways to approach any situation so when I cut this lily, the first thing I did was drop it on the scanner because it provides a different perspective than just shooting photos of an object. Next I went to photography and shot it against a variety of different backgrounds both outdoors and in where the lighting would vary as well. I'll set these images aside to work with later while I use the actual plant to base a series of drawings and paintings on. How many images and in which media will depend on how long the flower itself lasts. I've only got 2 or 3  plants of this variety in the garden so I'll have to work fast and as usual I'll post the results of my work as soon as I have any (good, bad and all). I'll be looking forward to it as much as you will so be sure to post a comment or two or just check a box to let me know how I'm doing. Thanks!

Sunflower Blue

I love the idea of this card but am not real happy with my pencil drawing on the border. The colors were right for the photo but the drawing needs to be more of an extension of the image on the photo. Still, I think it was a great project and a lot of fun to put together. I hope it inspires you to pick up a pencil too.

Photography

Here are a couple more photos I shot in the front yard yesterday and there were a few photos laying around here from last years garden as well so I used those to make some nice note cards. Just about everything is (or are) art supplies to me these days and there are lots of ways to enjoy and share them as well. One of the other projects in the works today is the shirt that I'm embroidering lilacs on which of course you'll see here as soon as I get photos of my progress. There's no pattern or anything. I'm just making it up as I go which of course makes it all the more fun for me and a surprise for us all if it turns out as well as I think it might. Wish me luck!...and a bit of patience too.