Inspirations

Everywhere I look there are inspirations to be found.

Weeds that grow along a fence row...

Garden flowers that have delicate petals and interesting seed pods...

Fruits and things that are wild...

 a friend curled up on an old quilt...

 the cardinal on a branch.




All these inspire me.   Would love to know what is inspiring you.

Have a beautiful week - God bless!

Faces

I am just drawn to cat faces.  

Samson

They always make me smile...

Sinbad

Scooter

I hope they make you smile too!

Have a great night.

Time in the Studio

The wet weather has given me more time in the studio.  

 I love painting and sketching outdoors.    With all the rain it has proved to be a challenge.     So I brought some of the garden inside.           

    Aren't these daisies lovely and fresh?   They will be a perfect subject to study and inspire.

Okay!  Not everyone is excited about the daisies.   It might take some sunshine to please these two.

  
    If your weather is wet I hope you have found something indoors that inspires.
                                                               So glad you came to visit.  God Bless!

Finding inspiration

  I found inspiration this week.  It came from a photo that I had snapped on a warm sunny day in January.

  I was attracted not only to the lights and darks but the texture.    It also appealed to me because of its abstract nature.

 

 

Thought it might be interesting to photo copy in black and white.    This helped me see the values.

Feeling adventurous I used india ink for the background or negative spaces.   Then experimented with a bag full of mixed media on hot press paper.  

It was fun to try something a bit different.   Also the subject matter was not my usual choice.

 

Sometimes looking down can lead to as much inspiration as looking up!

 

 

So glad you stopped by to visit.  May you have a wonderful day.

 

 

 

 

  

A few bits and some pieces...

Just a few bits and some pieces of life to share.  

 As you can see I've been berry picking.   It came early this year.    These juicy sweeties were ready by the end of May.    I baked a shortcake and lightly sugared the fruit.   Made real sweetened whip cream for over the top.  (I was certainly not counting calories).   They were delicious.  Nothing like fresh strawberries to get summer started.

On another note my kitty Smokey met with an accident (not sure what happened- may have gotten kicked by the neighbor's cow).  He has a cracked knee-cap.  Doc our local vet  did not have to set it.  We did have to be careful for a week and keep him rather confined.   That proved to be a challenge.  Also getting anti-biotic into him twice a day was no picnic.  I think I had more medicine on me than in him.  He is on the mend.  Cats are truly resilient.  Perhaps there is something to that " nine lives" bit.

Finally finished the summer mulching.  Does anybody remember when this practice started?  Growing up we never mulched. (That probably gives away my age).  Now every year I find myself like so many others piling these colored wood chips all around the garden.  It looks nice when one is finished.   I confess there are some of my woodland beds that do not get this dressed up.  If I did all the borders I would still be working when the autumn leaves were falling.  

Here is a piece of what is blooming in the garden now.

Foxglove

Scooter on the Prowl !

Clematis

   

Took a bit of time this evening to work in my sketchbook.   I may not always find time to paint but I try daily to draw or doodle.   When I do this I feed my soul.

Thank you for taking some time to let me share a few bits and pieces.   Have a great day!

God Bless.   

Where We Went...What We Saw... What Was Found

Sunday afternoon found us taking the motorcycle out for a spin.  We traveled to a little place called Scio.   It is nestled in the rolling hills of southern Ohio .  Dick and I often ride there because of the beautiful scenery.

We have went past this charming place many times but never found the time to stop.   Today they were open.

Antiques and treasurers were out back in the barn.
We were greeted by the welcoming committee as soon as we stepped inside.

  

Mouser

Angel

The loveliest couple in their 80's own the place.   They have been married for over 65 years.   We had a wonderful visit with them.  They shared some World War II pictures, tales from their courting days and even some local news.

As I browsed through shelves of old dishes and glassware I found the perfect prize.   It beckoned to me.  I heard it whisper "please take me with you."   My knight in shining armor knew I was smitten.  He reached for his wallet and this small treasure became mine.

Isn't he adorable?

I have the perfect spot for him - will share at a later post.

Hope all who stopped by enjoyed the trip.  Take care and God Bless!

A Little Bit of This - a Little of That...

Hi - come on in and visit a bit.   We have been rather bored.  Delighted you stopped by.

Oh Hello - Glad you Stopped For A Visit!

It has been a rainy dismal day and we need some sunshine!  I think our mistress has put the coffee on - smells like a Yuky Hazelnut Brew - {the Master is definitely not fond of it} and neither are we.  For some silly reason she likes a cup every now and again.  There is just no accounting for taste these days.

Ramps

Speaking of taste - she (the mistress) cooked up something new - ramps - now who ever heard of such a thing. The Mr. and Mrs. both thought they were excellent fare.  They chose not to share with us which was quite fine.  The smell left much to be desired.  I believe she cooked them with a few potatoes and served them with Sausage - {we would have liked the sausage}.

A work in Progress

Studies from nature

Early this morning we visited Madam in her studio - she was busy sketching and painting and paid no attention to us.   When she gets in her "zone" we must be still or she will shoo us away.  So silly this painting and drawing she does.  Seems to make her happy.  She turns on a bit of music and starts to sing and in a certain way she leaves us.   We are not quite sure where she goes.   "The lights are on - but no one is home."
She eventually will return and we will get something to eat.  Until she arrives though we have to be good!

Hurry Back!

Very Happy you stopped by - thank you for bringing us a bit of Sunshine!

Cats and more cats

If you haven't guessed by now I love cats and I enjoy painting them.   With four of them running about the house it can get pretty crazy around here.   My hubby doesn't feel quite the same about them as I do but  because he loves me so - he tolerates them.

I have made arrangements for them in case I check out before my husband.   I have a girl friend who will take them .  I think she has eight so what is four more. 

One must always be prepared for the inevitable!

Smokey is above and Scooter is to the right.   Both have been known to spend time in the studio with me.   Unfortunately I have found fur in the paint and paw prints on an almost finished watercolor painting.  What's a person to do - I guess you just have to love them and go on.

Below is one of my first cat paintings in watercolor  -  it was done with my white cats in mind.   Both are gone now.   Still miss them. 

To all of you cat lovers out there have a good nite and God bless!