The Trail Is In Bloom

Summertime on the Chehalis Western Trail!

Everything is green and blooming.......

Looks like we will have a GREAT crop of blackberries.


When I lived in Colorado the Fireweed did not bloom until the end of summer, but here in Washington along the trail it is blooming profusely.

Ebony likes to get in the picture
The weed I just love is the Foxglove.




I have done several paintings of this flower as I think the spots (I call freckles) are charming.

My favorite spot to sit for a break......


The view from the bench.....



I am so fortunate to have such a beautiful place to spent time on a daily basis.

Picasso and Lump

Today in an art therapy session, I shared the book entitled Picasso and Lump which I purchased in Switzerland after seeing the photographic exhibit by David Duncan.

Lump, meaning rascal in German, was a dachshund who won the heart of Picasso and immediately became a subject matter for his art.

Lump, at bottom, in a cameo appearance
in a Picasso version of “Las Meninas” by Velázquez.

The book, as well as the exhibit, is a lovely view into the personal life of Picasso. The photographs are fabulous and the story is a fun read.

Gertrude Jekyll

I first met Gertrude Jekyll in 1995 when a friend went overboard buying roses and asked if I would like some of them. Little did I know what was in store for me!

Gertrude Jekyll's pink flowers are dainty and lovely, and the fragrance is incredible. The rose fragrance is so divine it was used as the first rose essence in England for well over 250 years. You can actually smell the fragrance three feet away and when you bring a rose in the house, it will perfume an entire room.

Back to the story of Gertrude...

I moved in 2005 and really thought about uprooting her from the garden. The new owners would not miss one rose, right? But I did not. Shorty after moving, I found a Gertrude Jekyll rose at a garden store in Seattle. I bought it and gave it to my girl friend to grow as I would annually bring her bouquets. Now we would both get to enjoy Gertrude, again. And, maybe she would bring be a bouquet?

I purchased a home a year ago today. I am happy to say....

Gertrude is back!




I wish you could smell her!

Footnote: The Gertrude Jekyll rose is one of the best creations by David Austin English Roses and one of the finest pink rose flowers.

Third in the Series

My friend and artist, Judi Colwell, believes in doing series of art. Not only do they show well when hung together, but when you get into the flow of painting them, magic happens.

I took her advice when I became enthralled by the fabulous Irises in my neighbor's garden. I created three watercolor paintings while in the enchantment.

Here is the third in the series:

Number 3
Joanne Osband
Watercolor

If you missed the other two, I will save you time trying to find them searching the older blogs:

Single
Joanne Osband
Watercolor
Royal Purple
Joanne Osband
Watercolor

Alfredo Arreguin - Art in Ecology

Today was the opening reception for the Art in Ecology exhibit of Alfredo Arriguin's oil paintings at the Washington Department of Ecology in Lacey, Washington.

What a spectacular show of art!

Alfredo was there to talk about his life and work as well as answer questions.

I learned that he is so "in the moment" when painting that he claims to be transported elsewhere. He creates designs and images as they come forth while painting. A painting can take from three months to six months for his triptych hanging in the building but has been purchased by the Smithsonian.

Alfredo loves the light and fabulous wall space of the galleries at Ecology. It is a delight to see several of his paintings hung together.....even for Alfredo!

Many of the elements that inform his paintings and give them a distinct character emanate from the memories of the culture and natural landscape of his ancestral home, Mexico. These elements overlap and blend, in dreamlike fashion, with his most immediate experiences and his interest in the environment and the animals of the Pacific Northwest.


Bongo
Alfredo Arreguin

I found myself completely enthralled when viewing each painting. There is so much to see and take in. I bet if you returned, you would see even more. Some of his paintings had a tapestry look to them.

If you live in the area, you must see Alfredo's paintings. They are truly extra-ordinary and absolutely stunning.

In order to view this exhibit you must schedule a tour with the Art Committee. Phone numbers: main number; 407-6000 or Jeffree Stewart; 407-6521.

Officially Summer

For those of us who live in the Pacific Northwest, believe it or not, it is officially summer! Funny that we are still wearing jackets and dodging rain drops. Actually it is not so funny!

On or around June 21 each year, the rays of the sun will be perpendicular to the Tropic of Cancer at 23°30' North latitude. This day is the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere.

June 20-21 is start of summer in the Northern Hemisphere but simultaneously the start of winter in the Southern Hemisphere. It's also the longest day of sunlight for places in the Northern Hemisphere and the shortest day for cities south of the equator.

However, June 20-21 is not the day when the sun rises earliest in the morning nor when it sets latest at night. The date of earliest sunrise or sunset varies from location to location.

Seattle, Washington, experiences a sunrise at 5:11 a.m. and sunset at 9:10 p.m. The earliest sunrise of 5:10 a.m. lasts from June 13-18. The maximum sunset of 9:10 p.m. lasts from June 20 through July 2.

Happy Summer Solstice!

Quote From Picasso

As I was sharing art with one of my art therapy clients, I came across this quote from Pablo Picasso.

"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he or she grows up."

Think about it.....

Harlequin
Pablo Picasso
1915
Oil on canvas
The Museum of Modern Arts, New York

According to Wikipedia, Picasso demonstrated uncanny artistic talent in his early years, painting in a realistic manner through his childhood and adolescence; during the first decade of the twentieth century his style changed as he experimented with different theories, techniques, and ideas. His revolutionary artistic accomplishments brought him universal renown and immense fortunes throughout his life, making him one of the best-known figures in twentieth century art.