New Paper

recently Lynne Hoppe shared a watercolor paper

made in Italy

100% cotton

that is new to me

it is Amalfi Amatruda paper

I like it

soft and feels very cottony

took the paint wonderfully

(but roughs up if one needs to erase pencil lines,

so I will attempt to not need to erase ;-))

~

(I am not sure what I think of this little landscape)

 a glimpse of how I organized my paint samples

in coin sleeves

so handy

~

*

She paints Her world beautiful ~

she paints her world beautiful

her paintbrush much like a witch's broom

and 

a fairie's wand

breathes magic into the stones 

mushrooms and home of her life

as she births them

with 

color

~

A while ago I bought a mini palette from Stephanie Law

I found it hard choosing the 37 colors

finally I took all my colors

made swatches

which I could lay out and ponder which one's I use/like most

(a project I wanted to do for choosing colors for paintings)

 I have since placed these color squares in plastic coin sleeves

blues on one page, browns the next and so on

so nice and orderly ;-)

amazing how even doing these squares satisfied my art craving

the palette is shy of 3" across

tiny 

tiny

tiny

I used it on this painting

and 

I was delighted that it worked quite well

it will be wonderful for hikes and traveling

~

*

 

 

Foraging

a peaceful quiet life

~

most years I do a little bear painting

often of a bear

wandering the land

eating flowers

 (because they do eat flowers, so do I)

I think also there is something about:

life in balance in these scenes

because nature seems to know "life in balance" naturally

~

wishing you a day that feels 'in balance' 

~

*

 

 

Winter Solstice

Tis the shortest day of the year, here.

The bears are hibernating and I also have that sleepy spirit in me.

Going with the flow of more darkness, wood stove going in the wee cabin, the cold days and snow feels nurturing, gentle and restorative.

Also....

outside the cold air is invigorating and inspiring. 

I wish you a blessed Solstice

whether it is with our short days

or long days where you are. 

(this is an older piece and seemed perfect for today)

~

*

 

Dancer's Pose

the tiny fairy rose with delicate grace and strength 

(like the dancer she is) 

amongst her forest friends

~

felt so good to draw and ink this piece

it had been too long

~

May the spirit and act of art continue in your lives and mine.

~

*

 

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!
Happy Samhain!
(it truly does feel like the beginning of the cold, frozen time of 
year. )

I feel drawn to consider and send prayers to those have passed before

loved ones and those I had not met

I send you love on your journey

may it be of grace

I miss you

~

*

She Ponders

she ponders : rake autumn leaves

or paint the mountains

~

this piece was drawn

while I waited for my flat tire to be repaired

a fun way to pass that time

yesterday's rain made the ponds so pretty and reflective

the Western Larch are in full color and beyond these days

~ 

it has been such a beautiful autumn!

~

*

Grizzly for InkTober

this weekend 

a friend saw a grizzly bear fattening up in the oat fields for winter

his photograph inspired this photo

 and 

purple mushrooms showed up in the woods

someone ate them over night

a drawing for inkTober

~

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