Forty Days, Forty Nights

It has been dribbling, hailing, storming, pouring.  We're soaked.  There's a big maple at the back of our property that lost a large limb in a wind storm, and while the good news it that the limb missed the fence, the bad news is it smashed all sorts of bushes and spring ephemerals. This graceful jack-in-the-pulpit was laying flat, so I brought it inside for a closer look.

Why did I never do this before?  Such elegance and grace in a simple plant.

In the Japanese Garden

A week or so ago I went for a walk in the Japanese garden at our local botanical gardens.  This part of the garden is always cool and quiet. I was delighted to find a magenta azalea blooming. 

                                              “Instructions for living a life.
                                                Pay attention.
                                                Be astonished.
                                                Tell about it.” -- Mary Oliver

Sandro for JKPP

Sandro - colored pencil

I keep thinking I am going to be more experimental with my portraits for Julia Kay's Portrait Party, but in the end I muck about with some contour drawings, some doodles, then go back to working quite realistically.  I think I'm getting better at achieving a good range of values with colored pencils.  Sometimes I use warmer colors, but this time I just used back, white and indigo. I basically eliminated the background, starting quite dark at the top to contrast the hat, and light at the bottom to contrast the shirt.

History Makers

Just a little sharing of the joy.  Last Saturday night the Rock County Historical Society gave me a beautiful "History Makers" award for the work I have been doing in leading tours through Oak Hill Cemetery.  There was the stained glass and engraved award itself, but also a humbling video introduction, and a lovely evening of food and drink and music.  The decorations were all based on a USO theme, and some people came dressed in uniforms or 1940s garb, and there were displays all over the former armory where the event was held.  I had a blast, and enjoyed seeing lots of local folks who are associated with or just support the RCHS.  I am very grateful.

Passing Through

Every year about this time the rose breasted grosbeaks pass through on their way north.  They are big and bright, and they dominate the feeder.  They also are not afraid of my new camera.

May Flowers - Before the Rain

Last winter we took a cruise, and in our cabin were two paintings, extreme close-ups of striped parrot tulips.  I was fascinated by these paintings and was anxious for it to be tulip time here in Wisconsin.  They are wonderful, pops of bright color after the gray of winter.  My photo probably doesn't do these justice, but I guess the real joy was in the looking.