Flame Calla Lily

Back to painting!

Colors and shapes of the calla lilies and their leaves have been waiting patiently as subject matter for a watercolor painting.

Not sure I like the composition, but I do like the colors! Suggestions?

Flame
Joanne Osband
watercolor

Next on the drafting table..........those incredible black spider lilies.

Stay tuned!

Breakfast Club

As I drove across the Woodard Bay Bridge early this morning on my way to the Chehalis Western Trail for our morning skate, I noticed an exceptionally large number of herons feeding.

Usually when I pass by I see one or two. But today it was the "Breakfast Club."

How many do you see?


Now, look again. Be sure to count the ones on the shore.


For some reason this heron prefers to dine alone.



Note: The Woodard Bay rookery is the largest heron nesting ground in the state of Washington.

Art Magazines

Do you have a favorite art magazine?

Last month Katherine Tyrrell created a poll on her blog where artists submitted their favorite art magazines. According to her poll the most popular mazagine for artists is International Artist although a significant number of artists prefer online content to art magazines.

The top USA based magazine in the poll is The Artist's Magazine. Since I have not subscribed to an art magazine in eons, I thought I would look this one up online. What really intrigued me was the All Media Online Competition and seeing the winning entries. WOW! Check them out.

I might have to indulge myself in a subscription.....

Another Fabulous Bloom

I cannot resist sharing photos of beautiful flowers that have crossed my path. Many of which will probably become subject matter for watercolor paintings. Stay tuned!

This plant was a compulsive selection at the garden store. Thankfully, two of the three plants survived the slugs and a small child visiting.

Daily, I watch the unveiling of blooms.

It is a Lily named Black Spider.



Today's display looks like this:


The full name on the tag reads; Tango Asiatic Lily Litium asiaticum 'Black Spider'

What a beauty, wouldn't you agree?

Elizabeth Layton

Elizabeth "Grandma" Layton at age 68 was talked into taking an art class by her sister. From that day on her life changed; the true power of art therapy.

She was fighting a 35 year depression, and by taking that art class she cured her depression and changed not only her life but the lives of many. In the art class, Elizabeth learned contour drawing which she developed into her unique form of artistic expression.

In contour drawing the student, fixing their eyes on the outline of the model or object, draws the contour very slowly in a steady, continuous line without lifting the pencil or looking at the paper. The student may look at the paper to place an internal feature, but once they begin to draw it, they do not glance down, but follow the same procedure as for the outline.

It is said that what distinguishes Elizabeth Layton's drawings from others is their breadth, their freshness, and their expression of hope. Few artist have depicted such far reaching social concerns such as capital punishment, homelessness, hunger, racial prejudice, AIDS, aging and the right to die.

The Magic Gate,
Elizabeth Layton
1987
“She is almost through the magic gate to the cosmos. The gate opening up broke a thorny branch off the rosebush - the sting of dying. Behind her are ties to the earth - loved ones, wonderful worldly things, good and bad - her life. We can’t see yet what she sees but the look on her face is joyous.”

Today, I shared her art with my art therapy client, an artist who is no longer verbal or creating art due to Parkinson's Disease. How I wish she could have shared her thoughts with me regarding Elizabeth Layton's art and writing.

For more paintings by Elizabeth Layton, please visit her website.

Ballerina of the Flower World

There is no other name for it; the fuchsia is the ballerina of the flower world.

Last blog I spoke of the beauty and grace of the Crocosmia, but the fuchsia is definitely in a category of its own.

The flowers resemble a ballerina, wouldn't you agree?

See the skirt and the arms extended and legs?

Here they are dancing together.....


My preference are the hardy fuchsia plants because I find that although the hanging pots are beautiful, they tend to dry out quickly and I have been known to accidentally kill them.

The other variety that I have growning in my yard looks like this.

A more subtle dancer than the previous one.

I know I will add to this collection of hardy fuchsia because the joyous little dancers make me smile.

Graceful Crocosmia

What grace and delicate beauty!






Each day I watch as the flowers gradually open along the arching path to the tip.

The Crocosmia is a cousin to the gladiolus but they certainly approach life differently. Glads are belle of the ball types, with kaleidoscope blooms and flowers festooned with wild patterns and ruffles. Crocosmia stick to the yellow-orange-red side of the color wheel and deliver a concentrated, straight-forward presentation. Crocosmia are also tougher when it comes to winter temperatures.

Crocosmia stems make fabulous bouquets. Cutting will not hurt the plants and will provide a steady supply of cut flowers. Be sure to choose flower stalks with the bottom half of the blooms open, the remaining buds will open over a several day period.

The name is derived from the Greek words krokos (saffron) and osme (smell), referring to the saffron-like scent, when dried flowers are dipped in water.