The Red Ones [watercolor sketch ~6"x8"]

The time is flying by here in Ontario aided, in part, by the gorgeous spring weather [sorry Alberta]. Today was beautiful... I'm glad I brought shorts along. The tulips are out everywhere here. I needed a quick painting fix [there's really not time for more] so I grabbed my watercolor pad and a few minutes in a lawn chair. Vicky [6] asked me which tulips I was painting so I guess I didn't capture the essence of the ones I was staring at, lol. They were the red ones!

We've been doing a lot of laughing and giggling... tonight we made "chocolate chip deployment cookies" for Matthew to take with him. 2 sleeps and 1 day left. Time really does fly when you're having fun!

Perseverance [acrylic ~6”x9”]

The most common meaning for the hydrangea flower is “perseverance” and that’s something that I needed to be reminded of today.  The meaning of flowers, trees and other bits of trivia that come up on google searches are really pretty entertaining.  For example, did you know that the 5th of January is “Hydrangea Day”?  Furthermore, did you know that aluminum rich soils fuel the blue color in these flowers?  Seriously. 

Tuesday I’m flying out to Ontario for a visit with Matthew and Christina and their children.  I’m excited to see all of them and have a visit.  Next post from Ontario! 

Baby Blues (acrylic on mat board, 10x5)

I bought a blue hydrangea plant covered with flowers a few weeks ago to help brighten our place up for Parker’s baby shower.  I finally got round to painting it today for the first time. It was fun to just puddle on a lovely, sunshiney day. 

I enjoyed this quote from Og Mandino today…

“Never allow anyone to rain on your parade and thus cast a pall of gloom and defeat on the entire day. Remember that no talent, no self-denial, no brains, no character, are required to set up in the fault-finding business. Nothing external can have any power over you unless you permit it. Your time is too precious to be sacrificed in wasted days combating the menial forces of hate, jealously, and envy. Guard your fragile life carefully. Only God can shape a flower, but any foolish child can pull it to pieces.”

Cheers!

Evening March [15x21, Watercolour]

I went back to my art room today after a 3 week absence during which I visited with my daughter Candice and her family, here visiting from Japan.  It’s hard to start up again from scratch.  One forgets all the plans and ideas that were swirling around in the creative headspace and it takes some time to re-prime that pump.  I thought a little bit of watercolour painting might move me in the right direction.  This might have some potential…  stay tuned.