Thoughts on Watercolors

Recently, I read fellow blogger's, Katherine Tyrrell, post about the best art books.

I am notorious for looking in our public library collection to find the book to read before deciding on whether to make the purchase, or not. The book that came highly recommended is The Watercolorist's Essential Notebook Lnadscapes by Gordon MacKenzie. I think I might buy this one!

His paintings reflect his emotional bond with the natural world. "An artist's work is a reflection of their personal aesthetics; the ordinary things that have extraordinary and hidden beauty, meaning and significance just for them. These perceptions are set at an early age."

I love his definition of watercolor: "a process of applying colored water to a piece of paper so that you can watch, spellbound, while it evaporates; a quest to experience all the subtleties and nuances of diluting paint."

Watch him as he paints.

Autumn Breezes
Gordon MacKenzie

Work in Progress

Yes, I fell in love with the Black Spider Lily which has been blooming in my garden for the past few weeks.

Today I took a photo of the work in progress.

Looking at the watercolor painting as a digital images gives me another view in which to critique my painting and decide what needs attention.



I am thinking more yellow and more definition of the background.

Stay tuned......

Bella'roma

What a delight out my kitchen window.....


Isn't she a beauty!?!

Bella'roma is a Hybrid Tea Rose and a new rose selection for my garden. So far, this is the first bloom for the new plant.

I am ecstatic!

Bright yellow buds slowly spiral open, revealing gorgeous, warm yellow petals blushed rich pink at their edges, and set off by glossy, dark green foliage. The classic, high-centered blooms are said to hold their rich color and flower abundantly all season.

It won top honors as a 2003 "Rose of the Year" winner with both sumptuous blooms and a strong, tantalizing scent evocative of 'French Perfume.' But, in my opinion, although nicely fragrant it does not compare to the incredible smell of Gertrude Jekyll.

Another Flower in Bloom on the Trail

Summertime on the Chehalis Western Trail in Olympia, Washington, is a delight. Not only is a great place to walk, bike, skate, jog and so forth, but also lush with native plants.

The Spirea - Hardhack has caught my attention the past few days.



Facts about Spirea - Hardhack:

Spirea is a thicket-forming native shrub that produces tiny pink flowers in dense clusters. The flowers are pink to deep rose and tiny, but grouped in large numbers in long, narrow clusters. This plant occurs in moist to wet habitats such as stream banks, swamps, and lake margins.

It is valuable as cover and nesting habitat for many birds. The seed heads provide food for small birds and mammals, while the twigs and leaves may be browsed by the larger herbivores. Due to its dense growth, it may hinder the survival of other wetland species. Its dense growth pattern also prevents intrusion into wetlands by humans or livestock.

The hard wood of this plant was used by early settlers for making fish-spreaders for wind-drying fish. It was also used for mat-making needles, spoons, and spears.

A Bit of the Ocean on the Trail

Summertime on the Chehalis Western Trail not only brings out swarms of people, but also an array of blooming native plants.

Oceanspray has plumes of white flowers that cover the foliage reminiscent of the spray from an ocean wave.




Interesting facts about Oceanspray:

Insects feed and find shelter in this shrub attracting insect-eating birds such as chickadees and bushtits.

The Oceanspray foliage is important food for the larvae of swallowtail, brown elfin, admiral, and spring azure butterflies.

Thickets provide cover for nesting birds.

The long straight branches were historically used for arrows, cooking tongs, mat-making needles, and other tools.


Now I am thinking about taking a trip to the ocean :)

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.