Happy New Year

 

 Another of my favorite artists has passed away:

Farewell, Liz Hill

https://watercolorhouston.org/Washrag/12260224

Contemplating Crows

"Counting Crows" 12x24 acrylic collage

Basket lamp shade

Take one 6 foot bamboo shade, a tomato cage and a glue gun and make your own lay-ump! Frustrated at the cost of woven lamp shades and unable to find any workable baskets in the region, I improvised. Note: WEAR GLOVES. I burnt the heck out of a couple of fingers.....

The Good Life

Living the Good Life

This year, 2021, was another rather wild ride but we are still here. I'm hoping that 2022 will improve for everyone.

 

Online Classes

value study

I received a grant from Columbia Basin Trust back in 2018 to attend a workshop with an artist whose technique I wanted to study. Unfortunately, a week before the class date, the workshop was cancelled.

color study

I spent the next year or so trying to find that workshop offered again or one with similar technique. Then Covid-19 arrived.

color study

I do like attending workshops in person. There is always that synergy of creative people hanging out together and good contacts and friendship are formed. However, due to the restraints that are with us now, I am learning to appreciate online courses. I am working my way through the workshops. I am painting the same images multiple times to learn how to handle the paint and brushes. I have goals to keep me busy while the world moves beyond the pandemic.

Thank you, Columbia Basin Trust for making this possible.

 

A gentle spirit rests

 

Marking the passing of an era.

A true Labrador retriever, she loved her food.

A great companion.

Thanks for the love and the adventures.

Karin Jurick

 

I am saddened to discover that the artist, Karin Jurick, has passed away. I so enjoyed her work.

Garden Notes 3

 

 I am making notes so that I am prepared for the garden next year.

Apricots and cherries ripen in July. Be prepared next year and buy your lids, pectin and jars in June.

I have received the most bang for the buck from the pansies I bought back in April. But don't bother buying coleus until the end of May...some died and none of them grew an iota until the weather warmed up.

Poppies arrive quite late, don't give up on them and don't pull them thinking they are weeds.

Garden notes 2

 Lilacs are in full bloom. Hostas are up. Rhubarb is up. Poppies I did not think made it are beginning to appear (be patient)

Note to self:  Don't buy coleus until mid-May

It dropped down to 2C last night!

Alternative L2021

 

Alternative R2021

 

And Finally, Z2021!

 I thought I would get All of these paintings dashed off in January...more fool me. I had a lot of fun designing the backgrounds, playing with gelli prints and papers, going back and fiddling until it felt right. Feeling pretty good about this little set. Now I am busy printing and assembling the cards and prints for my studio's that carry them. 

Garden notes 1

 

Notes to remind myself what is blooming when. Currently enjoying:  forsythia, tulips, daffodils, ranunculus, violets, pansies, magnolia. Planted arugula and chard.

Y2021

 

X2021

 

X is always a tough one.....

W2021

 

V2021

 

U2021

 

The first time I saw a dipper was when I was walking along Carpenter Creek in New Denver. I noticed a little bird jumping into the water. I flattened an urge to try to help it because the creek was in full spring spate and I would have drowned if I had tried to enter the rushing water but I was feeling sad at the birds demise when it popped up again....and then it jumped back in the creek. I watched it for a bit as it merrily ducked in and out of the fast moving stream. I had never seen a songbird exhibit this type of behavior. A quick search on google when I arrived home solved the mystery. The American dipper is the only songbird in North America that catches all of its food underwater.

More information about dippers:  https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/dippers-birds-alberta-naturalist-brian-keating-1.5979095