Mama Bird Was Curious
Posted on March 3, 2016 1 Comment
They have all moved out of home and into their new abodes. Although I love this nest now clean and quiet, I miss their noise and … no! I don’t miss their mess!!!
I wanted to see their new homes. This Mama bird was curious as to how they were doing.
So the Papa bird suggested we go fly up and visit.
What a wise Papa bird!
Arriving at the first we were greeted with a grand tour and…
a roast dinner.
Mama bird was delighted and sighed contentedly as she looked at her baby bird all grown up and having a home of her own now.
We traveled on to the second new home.
Another grand tour ensued followed by…
another roast dinner.
My, My! Those boys did themselves proud, too.
This Mama bird was no longer curious but feeling very happy that she could now envisage her babies in their new homes, knowing they were all doing well.
Mama noticed that Papa bird was also smiling on the way home. Maybe the trip had not been just for her?
#Grateful that he suggested it.
More Intimately Acquainted
Posted on March 2, 2016 Leave a Comment
After all the studies, each one getting the Sunflower and I more deeply acquainted, the pleasure is all mine to have moved on to a full painting. These particular Sunflowers are just as they happened to have fallen in the vase, but, Oh! How luscious they looked with the light falling on the tips of the petals and shining luminously through the leaves. I loved it!
More details are over on the website. Follow the link here. Can you see the light coming through the leaves from behind them?
Summer’s Song
Posted on February 25, 2016 Leave a Comment
Summer is coming to it’s fullness.
Garden flowers are showing their bright colours.
The grass on the hills is turning a sunburnt golden hue.
And we find ourselves seeking respite from her piercing rays.
We pitch the tent under a tree.
We enjoy the cool of the bush for a walk during the day.
We cool off at the river’s edge.
And everywhere we go we hear it…Summer’s song.
Cicada’s in chorus.
#Grateful for this sound I have missed over the last few years away from New Zealand. Sounds that, for me, are child memories of warm Summer days.
Loving Summer’s song.
Smiles on Stems
Posted on February 24, 2016 2 Comments
Sunflowers are indeed an old-fashioned flower.
But good things are timeless!
The warmer days are coming and we eagerly plant our seeds knowing that Summer will bring with it a host of smiles on stems just as it did for generations before. My dad was telling me the other day how his mother planted a row of sunflowers every year down the path to the outhouse. Those Sunflowers were probably giving her a smiling wink as she passed … they knew her secret. A quiet place all by herself, transported into another world by a book . Ahhhh! A few moments peace!
What a way to enter this ‘happy place’! A sentry of smiles on stems 🙂
This third study of a single Sunflower is done using graphite and sepia in a wash. The sepia gives it an old look and yet is in keeping with the warmth of the subject. Let me know which of the three studies is your favourite. I’d love to know your thoughts
Sunbathing Beauties
Posted on February 17, 2016 Leave a Comment
The warmth of the sun just oozes out of Sunflowers. It’s as if they are face forward and palms out sunbathing. Absorbing all those glorious rays and sharing them with us all in the sunburnt colours we love so much. Sharing the love!
This study of three sunflowers is done in graphite and charcoal. Charcoal gives a different texture on the paper showing the velvety centres against the ‘seethroughness’ of the petals while the graphite texture shows the softness of the Sunflower leaves. Follow the link…tell me what you think! 🙂
Be My Valentine
Posted on February 16, 2016 Leave a Comment
Looking up from the closing prayer I saw her standing by the door…waiting for us to finish.
With a dash of willpower and a big breath she moved forward…
“Would you like to be my valentine?” she asked the first.
“For me?!” came the surprised reply.
They take the red rose extended.
She moved to the next person and repeated the process.
Before long she had maneuvered past walking frames and wheelchairs to deliver a roomful of red roses on Valentine’s Day. In her wake were beaming smiles and teary eyes from both men and women alike.
All but one of the roses had been delivered. She looked at the last wheelchair’s occupant.
Slipping in and out of sleep all morning Joan was now back in the land of Nod with head flopped off to one side and that relaxed lower jaw giving it all away. Cupid’s assistant looked at us for help. In a flash help was kneeling down at eye level gently calling to her.
Joan’s eyes opened to Cupid’s assistant handing her a red rose in a vial. “This is for you. Would you like to be my valentine?”
The next moment shall be forever etched in my memory as Joan’s face lit up encompassing her whole being and all of us along with it. Her eyes now shining brilliant and alive. “Oh, thank you!” she said, not diminishing her smile one bit.
Witnessing this young girl’s gift to a room full of oldies at the local Old Folk’s Home on Valentine’s Day was a real treasure. I am so grateful for her kind heart and her thoughtfulness displayed today as she shared some love. The smiles on their faces as people shuffled off clutching their roses told me that some of that love found it’s way into the receiver’s hearts.
Poking my head into the room later it was empty except for Joan, sitting alone where she had been placed earlier and once again with head slumped off to the side, her breathing slow and even. In her hand was a single red rose…
Wish I could be there when she wakes up and sees it there. I imagine she will smile all over again as she remembers that someone asked her to be their valentine today.
Just a Couple of Sunflowers
Posted on February 10, 2016 3 Comments
I love Sunflowers!
So, bright and happy, warm and carefree.
A perfect subject to do a series of studies exploring different ways to use graphite.
This first study is done with graphite and then pen and ink cross- hatched giving an elegant feel of simplicity. Clean lines and a contrasting palette of black and white complete the look. Very chic!
What kind of frame do you imagine it in? Comment below…I’d love to hear your ideas.
Camping for Two
Posted on February 4, 2016 Leave a Comment
Sun beating down…
My darling dearest asleep on a stretcher under the tree…
Me lazily watching the breeze blow through the towels and togs (swimming gear) hung between the branches.
Us all cooled down from a dip in the lake.
Ah! Camping for two.
Lake Rere Whakaaitu you are working for us!!!!
#Grateful
Drawing with Graphite
Posted on February 3, 2016 Leave a Comment
Drawing with Graphite is fun, easy and inexpensive…what’s not to love?!
They are small enough that you can keep a set of pencils and paper in your handbag for all those little moments when you find yourself waiting for five minutes at the bus stop or for a meeting to begin.
One tutor told of sketching ears from different angles at her son’s graduation. I find church a good place for that model sitting still. Or what about your local cafe while you enjoy a coffee? An unsuspecting model is something to be grateful for.
You’ll find lots of moments when you start looking and it’s the little daily drawings that will hone your drawing and observation skills.
Have a go.
Be adventurous.
Most of all, have fun! 🙂
#grateful
All in a Vacuum
Posted on January 28, 2016 Leave a Comment
They’ve gone.
After all the noise and activity of this Christmas holiday period they are gone.
Within three days the nest was vacated.
And I am all in a vacuum.
But very grateful for those Boxing Day Sales that had each of them sent on their way with a new vacuum cleaner to start life right in their respective new nests.
That helps make the Mama’s heart feel a little better.
#Grateful
Lynda Symons Artistry 