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.

Art Sale on Blogger

What a great idea to have a sale of art on your blogger site!

Loriann Signori an artist who paints daily. She shares her art and insights on a blog and has decided to have an art sale.

She claims that painting daily is like taking vitamins.......she cannot go without.

Loriann is a fabulous artist.

Check out her blog art sale.

Need A Friend

The other day I posted my newest arrival to my landscaping endeavors, a dinosaur egg created by artist, Joyce Hawkins.

I have chosen an area in my yard for the dinosaur egg. It sits surrounded by weeds at the moment in a rather bare spot, but I like its location.



When I posted these photos I receive a comment from DJ that the dinosaur egg looked lonely and maybe it needed a friend.....to talk to?

Today as I was transplanting a fig tree, I was thinking about a friend for the dinosaur egg. Being the rock nut I am, I decided to befriend the dinosaur egg with a few rocks.


I do believe the dinosaur egg looks happier thanks to DJ.

Maybe its friends will change over time?

Peer Review

Today I invited two of my artist friends, Judi Colwell and Ellen Miffit, for lunch and an honest critique of the watercolor paintings I am considering for two shows out of state.

According to Wikipedia, peer review is a generic term that is used to describe a process of self-regulation by a profession or a process of evaluation involving qualified individuals with the related field. Peer review methods are employed to maintain standards, improve performance, and provide credibility.

Needless to say, their feedback is invaluable!

Thank you again, Judi and Ellen :)

I will be submitting these two paintings in the Watercolor West XLII Annual International Exhibition, at the City of Brea Art Gallery in Brea, California.

Mother and Child
Freckles
This painting I will enter in the Blossom 2 - Art Competition which will have a premier exhibit at the Naples Museum of Art in Naples, Florida.

Royal Purple

I know juried exhibits are very subjective, but I am open to new possibilities.

Dinosaur Egg

A couple of blogs back I shared about the Northwest Horticultural Society's Garden Tour at Joyce Hawkins' home. I also mentioned Joyce's art of cement leaves and dinosaur eggs.

Joyce described her process to me of how she creates dinosaur eggs using patching cement. I now have my very own dinosaur egg in my yard.




I am not sure of its permanent placement or maybe it will move around? At the moment it sits in my front yard in a patch of weeds. I definitely need a more exciting ground cover for it to sit upon. Any suggestions?

Here is the view from my deck.


I decided to add water and a glass float. The sun popped out as I finished this process. Do you like the addition of water and float? Other ideas?


Joyce is working on a website; her business name is Leaf Art Plus

Single

Back to watercolor painting.....

Last time I left off, I was inspired by the Irises blooming in my neighbor's garden. I was transfixed by the delicate details and colors as well as shapes and lines of this variety of Iris.

Today I finished the painting that has been drawing dust on my drafting table and reflected on the idea of "single"; single flower and single as in the status of relationships.

Single leaves time for individual exploration and unfolding.

One can be the "center of attention" and it is okay.

Single
watercolor
Joanne Osband