Even though I can't be out in the garden without the danger of melting in the heat, I can still enjoy the blooms from my vantage point on the porch. This is where I paint in the summer. This shady oasis is surrounded by gardens from which I can pluck my "models".
The illustration in progress is called
"The Seed Collectors"
"The Seed Collectors"
My flower colors are more subdued than the actual blooms because I want the birds to be the focal point in this painting.
I'm not sure what kind of bird is up top in pencil, it all depends on what colors I want to use for contrast against the pale sky.
Cheers!
Cheers!
Cheers to you as well, dear Jeri. Your potager is bursting with beauty to inspire you. Your illustrations are just delightful. Today is a tad cooler than our melting days of the first of the week. ♥
ReplyDeleteMartha, It is so lively in the surrounding gardens, butterflies everywhere! I don't know why I didn't include them in the painting...
DeleteBeautiful! Glad you are staying in the shade enjoying painting.
ReplyDeleteMaywyn, The light outside is perfect for painting!
DeleteDoes the fact that you are outside in this heat mean you do not have A/C inside? It has been brutal here so I suspect it's been even worse down your way--although it was actually cooler in Florida this past week and less humidity! My sister is from there and was here visiting, hoping to escape the Florida summer. You have such a nice array of flowers to choose from in your garden for your illustrations.
ReplyDeleteCathy, Our house is around 120 years old and we never put in AC, but we do use a lot of fans. I get some nice cross breezes on the porch, along with those fans. The humidity is worse than the heat.
DeleteWell melting out in the garden has been a real possibility around here for the last week or so. A little bit better the last couple of days so I have been able to get out to do some weeding (much needed with all the rain we have had lately) and making lists about things to plug in empty spots and areas to rearrange.
ReplyDeleteGood that you have a shady spot on the porch, and hopefully a nice little breeze as well, to work on your illustrations. With all those flowers around it must be hard to focus on just which ones to include. What a lovely dilemma to contemplate.
Vic, Isn't it amazing that the weeds don't care a whit about the heat, and, in fact, seem to thrive in it/! Yes, I have a wonderful variety of blooms to choose from, I really need to do an illustration full of the zinnias, as they are so prevalent and colorful!
DeleteThat is a beautiful illustration you are working on. I adore the woven baskets that the birds have! -Jenn
ReplyDeleteThanks Jenn, I like those little baskets too! Every little seed collector needs a sturdy basket.
DeleteJeri, your garden looks great. I am enjoying watching the development of the gardening book. Hope there is a page showing some lovely lavender. Thank you for the lavender wand, I love it.
ReplyDeleteStay as cool as possible, Deborah
Deborah! Hey, you got a blogger account, hurrah!
DeleteYour seed collectors in the painting and your shaded painting oasis are charming.
ReplyDeleteTerra, It is nice to be able to enjoy the outdoors and work at the same time
DeleteJust delightful. :)
ReplyDeleteJeri, we also got an unexpected break in our dome of heat today, after lots of rain overnight and into the morning. And then...breezes brought blue sky and fluffy clouds and temperature in the 70s. Bliss!
ReplyDeleteI got some outdoors errands done, and then came home for lunch and actually finished knitting some mitts this afternoon. A day ago, working with wool would have been out of the question.
I love the idea of your being able to do your beautiful painting on your porch. The pictures you've show us of the birds and flowers are lovely, and witty too! Your drawings and paintings always have that extra ingredient, with keen observation apparent.
Have a lovely weekend! xo
Frances, ah the 70's, I wish! However, each day we get a rain shower for about 10 minutes that just bursts out the sunny sky. It doesn't really cool things off, rather it just makes the heat WET.
DeleteI agree that working with wool in the heat is out of the question! BUT I LOVE ALL YOUR MITTS!
Dear Jeri,
ReplyDeleteI love this illustration. Your birds make me smile, and the flowers are outstanding!
How nice to be able to paint on the porch. Your garden looks wonderful.. Sadly, I have lost most of my spring plantings due to the heat..
fondly,
Penny
Penny, I lost a lot of Phlox plants, they just shriveled up. I feel your pain! Oh, Hurrah< I just looked out the window and it is RAINING!
DeleteI am continually amazed at your talent!
ReplyDeleteThanks Mitzi, I know there is always room for improvement, I have a long way to go.
DeleteLovely Jeri. I love the colours translucency.
ReplyDeleteCharlotte, so nice coming from a fellow artist. I do struggle with laying on my watercolors to heavily sometimes, so I've been happier with these results than usual.
DeleteWOW, another wonderful watercolor of 'life'. This next book will be a fantastically sweet story. One to inspire and make one appreciate life.
ReplyDeleteI love the glimpses of your flower filled garden spaces.
Have a great weekend ~ FlowerLady
Hi Lorraine. You know, the garden really does inspire one to appreciate the little things in life. Yesterday I was in awe of the hundreds of buds on my Rose of Sharon bushes and thinking about how much joy even a single bloom can give.
DeleteMORNIN', Miss Jeri!
ReplyDeleteGoodness, you too? We had a 3 day heatwave here that made us shut ourselves in. That was hard to do, to stay put for three days! But like you, I drew from the outdoor inspiration via my French doors where I can still enjoy the colors.
YOUR renderings are magical, Jeri. They are reminding me of the magic I see in nature in my backyard. We have had such an enchanting summer with these blue jays who come to our fountain in a village of SEVEN. Not five, not six, but SEVEN, every time. I imagine them wearing little bonnets like yours, I see them wearing frocks! TEEEEHEEEEE - and the robins too. SOmetimes, they come to my window in my studio and sing! The other day from the front of the house, I could see the blue jay village flapping about; I swear, our house looked like Snow White's Cottage!!!!!
Enjoy and keep shaping this world of animals that enchant us dearest Jeri!
Anita, I can just see those Bluejays in tophats and huge floral bonnets....maybe I will draw that. Bluejays are so boisterous and fun, one of the best and smartest of the bird family. You are so lucky to have this family of seven that has adopted you!
DeleteIt is always a pleasure to visit here.
ReplyDeleteMama Bear
Mama, Always good to see you here!
DeleteAnd I'm thinkin' "Even too HOT for the weeds to grow"!!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful work!!
xx oo Linnie
Linnie, You and I know that it is never too hot, too wet or too uncomfortable for to weeds to grow... it is just what they do so very well!
DeleteBelly Chuckle!!! Wishful thinkin' !! ;-)
DeleteWe have been in drought but the rain just came now and revived all (including those weeds)!!
We are getting three new goats this week!! 2 baby doe kids and a Mama in milk (not their mom) I can't wait!! Nubies ~ I'll send email pictures xx oo
Happy days! I love baby goats the best, they leap and play with such abandon.
Deletebeautiful painting. Love your colors and details.
ReplyDeleteThanks Tammie!
DeleteDear Jeri gorgeous painting. Hope to see it finished. You have a lovely spot to paint with such beauty surrounding you. Hope your week is blessed with good things. Hugs!
ReplyDelete