An Early Spring

Just looked at my blog from Feb 2009.  What a difference a year makes.  This year it's already spring - everything blooming early; fragrance of Skimmia, (normally blooms mid March); forsythia, Daphne and quince already in bloom.  Early cherry blossoms, green shoots leafing out.  Even some daffodils starting to pop.  Temps in the mid 50s every day.  Who says, no global warming! So pleasant.  No need to go south for the winter this year.

Landscape Painting from Photo Reference

Subject photo -  Irrigation canal in Wenatchee. 

Using reference photo, cropped photo and  created this image,  reducing it to just black and white to show underlying compositional structure

Same subject using a complementary color scheme.

This time using analogous color scheme.  Quite a difference in mood between the two. 

The "cots" Are In!

Hottest days of summer but when the "cots" come in there is no time to waste. Headed for Wenatchee on Sunday to can 28 jars of apricots at brother Jerry's. Lots of help from Jerry and Patty. Can't buy apricots like that here in Seattle. Not even in the farmer's markets here. Big, juicy and flavorful --- and the most beautiful color of orange.



Next, Patty and I headed out to an orchard in 103 degree heat where we picked another 20 lb. box. Cost? 40 cents/lb. U-pick. Can't beat that and it took the two of us only 15 minutes. The trees were heavily laden with cots as big as small oranges. No need for a ladder there. We then went to another orchard where we bought a huge box of peaches for a song. Best peaches I've ever tasted. Sweet and juicy. Ripe fruit - imagine that!

At the end of the day we were rewarded for our labors with a double Manhatan made by bartender Jerry. What a great day!

Morning at Magnuson

Painting again at Magnuson Park this morning. Second pass at this painting and I'm fairly pleased with it. After two hours, I stashed my stuff in the car, then jumped in the lake for a swim. So refreshing. Not as cold as I thought it would be. What a bonus on this record breaking hot day in June. 90 degrees. Loving it!

Toward the end of February. Anxiously awaiting signs of spring. More birds singing and chirping; more light early in the morning; easier to get up!

On my walk through Discovery today I saw a large hawk soaring overhead. Probably a Cooper's. What a beautiful sight. Saw quite a few Anna's Hummingbirds, a couple of Gold Crowned Sparrows, at least I think that's what they were. Must get Miriam, the birder out to confirm. Red Winged Blackbirds, Bewicks Wrens some Robins, and of course the usual suspects - crows, and starlings. After seeing so many pigeons in my neighborhood I'm beginning to really appreciate crows. Much rather have smart and amusing crows. Up at Discovery they were trying to crack what appeared to be Hazelnuts. Don't know where those came from. Also noticed some small green leaves beginning to appear on the branches of lower bushes.

At home I've finished pruning my apple and pear trees. Maybe I'll plant some Dahlias this year. Haven't been very successful yet but I keep trying in honor of Dad who had 60+ different kinds. I've always loved them but I have a lot of clay here. Dad had a strong back and a green thumb. He believed in compost. Maybe raised beds are the answer. In a few weeks it will be time to prune my roses. Yeah! Can hardly wait. (For spring, that is.)

Jan 4 - The New Year has begun. Welcome 2009! Passed New Years eve at a sleep over at Julia's in the company of a wonderful group of women - all artists and two cooks among us. We talked and walked, ate and played boggle until about 1:30 am. The food was fabulous - thank you Julia and Jennifer.



Lots of company and comings and goings over the Holidays. Now life is returning to normal and I'm ready to start the new year. First, to sign up for an art class. More art! Looking forward to seeing a demonstration with art friends on Sunday. Next, back to Tai Chi, the practice that teaches me so much and enriches my life. And then on to the house - yes, get going on all the projects left from last year.

Christmas Eve and the sun returns. More snow and nothing is more beautiful. This will be a White Christmas for sure. Magical but it would be nice to get around. Roads are almost impassable. No snowplows, sand or ice. As Barack Obama would say, "You're on your own" Of course he was quoting the Republicans. Ok, let's not go there now. It's a beautiful day.