Hedge

Hedge
Watercolor, 9 x 12", no mat
$100
email to purchase

To see the study for this, go to Hedge Music. I've tried a few different versions of this scene I look out on while writing but this, the first version, works best. The trees are in bloom, the garden is flowering and the weather is gorgeous. I seem to be almost completely incapacitated by allergies. I am so tired that I have to lay down many times a day and force myself through the old task list. It's also challenging to complete a thought, not to mention a sentence. I've ordered what are supposed to be good remedies for allergies and am trying my best to eliminate foods that I'm sure are making matters worse.

Uh-oh! I thought I'd write about the painting but look what's happened! So this is what allergies are like? My reaction has become increasingly dramatic each spring since I've moved to middle Tennessee. I do not like to stay in doors with the windows closed, especially during such beautiful weather. Especially as I was planning to paint outdoors! Well, this is what's happening so I have to contend with it. Expect very few posts for a while but I'll do my best to keep my hand in.

In the meanwhile, feel free to browse through the archives (scroll down to see "Browse Around!" or "Themes and Variations" in the sidebar) and peek at My Great Day where I'll be posting photos and whatnot. Thanks for visiting!

Before the first mowing

Before the first mowing
April 2008
Watercolor on Fabriano cold press paper, 5 x 7"
on hold for exhibit

In the midst of a rainy two weeks, I took advantage of one sunnyish afternoon to capture this scene as the crowns of some of the trees were just beginning to leaf out. While looking at this, I decided that the red-tipped photinia to the left of the leyland cypress was not a color that I liked in that spot. It took away from the pretty pink of the dogwood about to flower behind it. If you've been following along, you'll already know that I've moved it to where the hackberry was removed and once it's recovered from the shock, I think it will look quite nice in its new spot.

As you can imagine, looking at the length of this lawn, the first mowing was a VERY big chore though I got a lot of good exercise.

You can see my sketch After the first mow then listen to my song Terminal up for the weekend at My Great Day.

My songs and CDs

The Poison Ivy Tree

The Poison Ivy Tree
October 2007
Watercolor on Lana cold press paper, 5 x 7"
on hold for exhibit

This scene is no longer. The mulberry stump along with its mighty poison ivy vines and the hackberry trunk to the left are all gone. In subsequent paintings, you'll see new plantings eventually. If you've been following my sketch blog, you might remember the New Plantings post from a week ago or so. The red-tipped photinia is still struggling as it was moved without its entire root ball. I think it will be fine, though.

Again, I hope you've enjoyed becoming acquainted with my little piece of paradise. More is in store from the present tense but I expect these posts to slow to a trickle for a while.

See today's sketch and listen to a song at My Great Day.

My songs and CDs

Lush

Lush
October 2007
Watercolor on Lana cold press, 5 x 7"
on hold for exhibit

People often complain about the bad soil in Nashville. I have to tell you that if you reach down into my yard and pull up a clump of earth, chances are, you'll have a handful of earthworms. Before this was an early suburb of Nashville, these few blocks were a nursery. Before that, this area of greater Flatrock was farms, before that, plantations and when the Native Americans lived here, they forbid any building on this land because of the rich soil and kept this area for planting and marketing.

This is what sold me on my little house. I walked around and saw this yard with a rabbit and a cardinal and thought, this is it.

Obviously, during October I have to paint outside. The light is lovely and the foliage is full and lush. I hope this time warp hasn't been too confusing. One more of these from the archives and then we're back to the present and beautiful moment.

See today's sketch then visit My Great Day. It's always a surprise.

My songs and CDs

Behind the Drive

Behind the Drive
October 2007
Watercolor on Fabriano cold press paper, 5 x 7"
on hold for exhibit

The marigolds and angelonia were in their full glory so I edited out the birdbath to let them take center stage.

See today's sketch then see what's up at My Great Day.

My songs and CDs

The new garbage bins

The new garbage bins
October 2007
Watercolor on Fabriano cold press paper, 5 x 7"
on hold for exhibit

One night I woke to see fire engines with the light rotating and firemen dousing huge licks of flames in the alley. "What the...?" I threw on my robe and walked down the lawn to find that all of the garbage bins along the alley had been squirted with lighter fluid and set ablaze. Now, there was some excitement. After a few phone calls, the city sent out new bins and here you see them in this painting.

See today's sketch and visit My Great Day for a song.

My songs and CDs

Sweet before the rains

Sweet before the rains
October 2007
Watercolor on Lana hot press paper, 4 x 6"
on hold for exhibit

This view is along the west side hedge of elaeagnus, red-tipped photinia and wax-leaf privet.

See my elder statesman in a fetching pose and a film clip with Jewel at My Great Day.


My songs and CDs

Edge of the Hedge

Edge of the hedge
October 2007
Watercolor on Fabriano cold press paper, 4 3/4 x 3 1/4"
on hold for exhibit

This is a view towards the back corner of my house where the elaeagnus, privet and junior oak leaf hydrangea stand under the honeysuckle and walnut tree at the end of the fence.

See today's sketch and visit My Great Day for a post on Nordic Landscape Painting.

My songs and CDs