Sunday Sketches

Not a sketch.

But I used last week's trillium sketch for this oil painting.........



I am challenged to photograph oil paintings as there seems to be a sheen with the background. Anyone have suggestions?

More Sunday Sketchers...

Sunday Sketches

Spring would not be spring without a new trillium painting!

I could not resist this subject matter for my Sunday Sketch.


More Sunday Sketchers....

Another Trillium

I keep going back and forth between water-based oil paints and watercolors. They both have endearing traits.

After completing the oil painting of the trillium (previous post) in the woods standing tall against the cedar tree, I could not resist painting the same subject with watercolor.

Here is a colorful rendition......

I believe I have cured the trillium addiction, for now :)

Trillium Addiction

I cannot kick the habit! The trillium wildflowers are still in bloom in the woods, and some are turning from white to pink. I am still captivated by the two plants I saw growing tall against the massive cedar tree.

Here is the oil painting version.....

On my third rendition which is a large watercolor painting.

Addiction is acknowledged.

Recovery, uncertain.

Sunday Sketches

Help, I cannot quit painting Trillium!

It must be a phase I am going through ;)




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Sunday Sketches

TRILLIUM

I do not know of anyone here in the Pacific Northwest that does not get excited by the appearance of the trillium in the woods. For one it marks the beginning of spring, but the wildflower's appeal seems to me more for its grace and beauty.

I found these two tall trillium flowers growing next to the base of a cedar tree and captured them on paper.

It was my first sale yesterday at the Gull Harbor Art & Gift Fair!



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Sunday Sketch

I did it!

I etched in some time today to do a sketch for the "Sunday Sketches." It was not until evening that I sketched as I was busy with a landscape project. Thus the photo is taken in the house and not the best quality.

I am totally taken by the Trillium and was intrigued by all the lines in both the flower and its leaves. That was my focus and I splashed on some watercolors to give it more life. The watercolor paper was different than I usually use and the colors did not run as much as I like. But all in all, I did it! And enjoyed the process.

Here is my first sketch for the "Sunday Sketches".....



If you would like to see what the other artist created for their "Sunday Sketches", click the link on the right corner of this blog.

Plethora of Trillium

You do not have to go very far off the beaten path to find several dozens of native trillium blooming on the Chehalis Western Trail in Olympia, Washington.

My favorite spot for trillium gazing is the south end of the trail near Woodard Bay. As you begin to walk the path through the woods, the trillium are scattered profusely on both sides. Their little white heads are peaking out even after being battered from all the rain we have been getting. Last year I tried to take a video with my camera, but I will spare you and post photos instead.






When walking the paved trail, look into the woods on either side for white accents.......more trillium.

This is an easy to get to place for viewing a plethora of trillium.

It Must Be Spring!

Yes, the sighting of the first trilliums here in the Pacific Northwest is a definite sign of spring.

If you are not familiar with the trillium, it is a native wildflower. There are 39 species of trillium known. All types are easily identified by the three main leaf bracts that start to show in the early part of spring. These leaves are followed by a long stem on which the flower blooms. White flowers are most prevalent in damp, woody areas. Red flowers have also been known to show up where the white trillium grows. Other bloom colors include pink, white turning to pale purple, and yellow.

Many of us get very excited when we spot them as occurred today on my walk with a friend through the woods.

I have captured the delicate wildflower in a watercolor painting which has delighted many art patrons and collectors.

Janet's Trillium
Joanne Osband
watercolor

It is named for my friend who is addicted to trilliums and provided me with great photographs for the painting.

Newest Rendition

For all those Trillium lovers out there, I completed a second watercolor painting of the delicate, native spring flower, the Trillium.

I played with giving the painting more color and less detail.

Trillium #2

Here is the first rendition:

Sign of Spring

Do you have a favorite?

Stunning Purplish-Pink Trillium

Even though I was only equipped with my phone camera, I could not resist recording this beautiful specimen I found today on the Chehalis Western Trail, my favorite walking path.


Purple-Pink Trillium

This photograph does not reflect the exact color, but the color here is rather striking too, wouldn't you agree?

Now, the next question is was this Trillium first white and then turned purple? Or is this one of those purple Trillium?

Trillium Obsession

I have been posting photos and information on the first blooming wildflower of spring, the Trillium.

As I promised, here is a watercolor painting I created from my photographs. This one is more realistic, but I plan to do variations with less detail and more color.

Stay tuned...........

Trillium Lane Video

I returned to the Chehalis Western Trail in Olympia, Washington with determination to capture the numerous Trillium on video.

A recap for new people.........

I have been amazed by the numbers of Trillium found in the forest near the Chehalis Western Train Head or End (depending on your perspective) at Woodard Bay. In my previous post I captured some of the Trillium with my camera. I have a short video capability on my camera and have been playing with that feature. For those Trillium lovers, I hope you can appreciate the spectacle of Trillium along the trail. In addition, I am expanding my learning curve by posting this video. Here's to the adage to learn something new every day!

Some interesting facts about the Trillium:


The Trillium is often the first wildflower noticed by casual walkers; other spring wildflowers are much less apparent.


In western North America, a typical species is Trillium ovatum (Western Trillium) also with white flowers, that slowly turn into a shade of purple in the middle of spring.


Picking Trillium for their flower can seriously injure the plant. The three leaves (more correctly leafy bracts) below the flower are the plant's only ability to produce food stores and a picked trillium can take many years to recover. For this reason in many areas, e.g. Michigan, New York, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Washington, it is illegal to pick and/or transplant trilliums from public lands without a permit from the State.


Trillium is one of many plants whose seeds are spread by ants and mice. At maturity, the base and core of the Trillium ovary turns soft and spongy. Trillium seeds have a fleshy organ called an elaiosome that attracts ants. The ants extract the seeds from the decaying ovary and take them to their nest, where they eat the elaiosomes and put the seeds in their garbage, where they can be protected until they germinate. They also get the added bonus of growing in a medium made richer by the ant garbage.




I wish it were longer, but I hope you enjoy!

Trillium Lane

Is it the Chehalis Western Trail Head or is it the Chehalis Western Trail End at Woodard Bay, Olympia, Washington?

For me since I always start at Woodard Bay, I think of it as the Chehalis Western Trail Head. The area is nestled in the trees and very picturesque.

For trillium lovers, this is the place! I have been amazed at the numbers of Trillium I have seen in the small area to the left of the main trail. Today I attempted to record a walk along the trail which I dubbed, "Trillium Lane" on my camera with the video setting. Unfortunately, not very experienced with my video setting on the camera, it came out sideways and I have not figured out how to turn it. Plus, now I have an idea of how it looks so that I can try again with better results. Next learning experience will be downloading it to my blog to share. Stay tuned.....

For a preview, here are some photographs along the trail:










This is my favorite spot as there are dozens of Trillium on
BOTH sides of the trail!



Bonus photo; Ebony and Trilliums

Return to the Scene

Today I returned to the Chehalis Western Trail in Olympia, Washington to capture the the Trillium with my camera. The image with my phone camera was not acceptable. I wanted a clear photo of this magnificent specimen.

I must admit that I have never seen a Trillium bud before, so this cluster of two with one blooming and a bud is exceptional. What are your feelings?





Stay tuned for the future watercolor painting.......

Trillium Sighting

A sure sign of spring; the sighting of the trillium in the woods.

This plant has a large, often white, three-petaled flower above three broad bracts that look like leaves. There are between 40-50 species in North America. The Trillium is often the first wildflower noticed by casual walkers; other spring wildflowers are much less apparent.

Today while traveling the Chehalis Western Trail in Olympia, Washington, I came upon a cluster of five trillium. What a treat!

Last spring I created a watercolor painting which seems to be well received by trillium lovers.


Janet's Trillium
watercolor
by Joanne Osband