The Beauty of Snow

Being a January baby, I grew up loving the snow - it sparkles, it's fun to play in, cozy to come in out of the cold, and it's beautiful.

Art and More in the Garden, Northland Rosarium

In the process of getting ready for the Art in the Garden, I've pulled out some artwork that I haven't looked at for awhile. Thought I'd share.

At Last the Sun

At last the sun is shining! We have had so much rain and overcast skies and winds. Memorial Weekend is the weekend to plant the garden in North Idaho, but a person would have to do it in the rain! The heavy work is done and waiting for the sun might give me time to paint - maybe I should paint something with the sun in it - hoping that it could be more than wishful thinking.

Spring Flowers

The tulips are now faded in my yard, my new lilac bush has bloomed, the grass needs mowed about every five days (and my lawn mower won't start!), so the art blog will be on the back burner for awhile. Watch the action on my garden blog, though. And I've added a face painting blog because I've started doing more of it. I don't always get pictures because I'm usually too busy, but I've shared a few. So... today I must get that lawn mower going. I'll be back when life is a little slower.

This soft rose (4"x4" watercolor) pleases me but I'm not sure it's finished. Maybe a little splatter of color? What else should I do? I'm interested in your opinions.

These Three are in process- definitely not finished. I'm not sure I'll be able to make them into something I like, but I'll share the results when I get there. I'm thinking ink, some background flowers i.e. forget-me-nots. Suggestions? NOW I GUESS I NEED TO ASK WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THE FINISHED PAINTINGS. THANKS FOR YOUR INPUT.

Beauty

Okay, so I was talking to Lynn, and he said he thought my whimsical lady was ugly - that was his knee-jerk reaction to the picture. I, on the other hand, find her to be peaceful and interesting and someone I'd like to know. He allowed as how he could see that too - but he still didn't love her. Isn't it interesting how each person has an individual reaction to a thing? I guess that's where the saying "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" comes from. In this world women have to defend themselves from the bombardment of the fashion industry, the cosmetic industry, and just about every commercial and sexual concern to make us feel like we aren't good enough and if we just part with enough money, we can change all that. I love the Dove commercials that bring an awareness that we are okay the way God made us- in every shape, size, color, and age. It's also interesting to become aware of how affected both women and men are by the "popular" notion of what is beautiful. Anyway, here's my lovely lady that not everyone will see as beautiful.

Pansy Patch, 15x20 watercolor... the last of the 2010 series of pansy paintings. Time to move on to something new. Roses? Tulips? Spring is technically here, but the weather isn't. I think I'll do some tulips, daffodils, and hiacynths for awhile until I can get out and get serious about the garden. Any suggestions?