Memorial Day

This is a little table runner I made for a coffee table. I just loved the eagle, big bold stars and the americana colors. Thought it would be fitting for a Memorial Day image. I feel very lucky to live in the United States and honor all the fallen soldiers who have fought for my freedom. Thank you to those that have lost their lives and thank you for those who are currently risking their lives. The words seem so small, but the sentiment is so heart felt. Enjoy the day with family and friends and give a moment of silence in the honor of those that have served.

Texture

Here's an up close and personal look at the view from yesterdays post. I couldn't help notice the lovely detailed texture of Venus' head next to the soft rounded blossoms of the crabapple. I cropped it tight and horizontal to really make you look at the composition and all it had to offer. I just want to do a close of study of her hair with all those curls and that wonderful head band wrapped all around. I think it would be a great background for something, don't you? I'm off to the drawing board...

Contrast

Our crabapple trees were just awesome this year. The blossoms were abundant and the colors almost blinding with intensity. I couldn't help take this shot because I love the contrast of the bare Venus next to the overloaded crabapple. The colors, the size and the shape all make this a winning photo for my creative side. Hope you are inspired to take a few photos of all the spring blooms in your area!

Inspired

The robins are nesting in our holly's this year and I happened upon this visual treat. Not bad since I was holding the camera above my head to shoot inside the nest. The dramatic photo is one of my favorites because of the light shining in and out of the holly leaves. I couldn't have planned it better if I had set it up myself. Don't you just love when happy accidents turn out so beautiful?

Up Close and Personal

The last couple of days I have brought you closer to the azalea plant. Not only are the flowers very interesting for me but the intensely vibrant color combination just excites the artistic side in me. I don't know why that is because I don't usually choose the bright colors but isn't that the fun of doing art, you don't have any rules to follow. Be bold and I hope you find inspiration in the strangest, more ordinary places.

Eye Candy

Here's another look at the azalea and can you believe the beauty of this eye candy? I know, it is just such an awesome color. You should see how it catches on fire in the sunlight, it's almost magical. I find it funny that there are two plants in the yard everyone wants to know what they are. The azalea in springtime and the tardiva in the fall. They are both striking and although they aren't the largest of plants, they are always overflowing with blooms. Hope you are taking advantage of the spring season and journaling with photos, sketches or painting plein air. Anything to remind you of the journey you have been on lately.

A View from the Studio

This lovely azalea bush was a housewarming gift from my Dad and is one that keeps on giving. We gave it a special place in the garden right outside my studio window. The old birdbath was from the previous owners and we filled with flowers from the start because it is huge. The combination is just breathtaking, making me very happy to enter the studio every day in the month of May. I hope it brings a little color to your day, enjoy!

Four Trillium

No it's not our national debt though close, just a name of these cool woodland bulbs. They pop up everywhere and I love them because of their awesome structure. Where else can you find such a double layer of three small and three large decorated leaves, a deep crimson red flower made up of three petals and a trio of black for the center? Add the elegantly long stem that has a reddish cast to it, perfection.

I hope you've been missing me like I have you :) Blogger was down for several days so I was not able to post but I'm back now so enjoy the continued adventure exploring my yard.

Happy Mother's Day

The fruit trees are blooming, the bees buzzing and hopefully all you
Mom's are being extremely spoiled by your children.
I hope you have a great day!

Sunshine, Ahhh

Loved the overall intense colors, the soft ruffled shadows and the transparency of the back petals. Add in the great orange hue as the center of interest, it just couldn't be better. I find it so inspiring knowing that I have hundreds of these in the yard! I hope you can feel the warmth of the sunshine from the day. I know it makes me happy just thinking about it. Now, what makes brings you that kind of happiness? Hope it is something so simple you enjoy it everyday.

Sun Visits

Some Thesaurus words for "blaze" - beam, brilliance, burst, combustion, eruption, explode, flame, flare, flash, fury, glare, gleam, glow, illuminate, light, radiance, rush, scintillate, shimmer, shine, storm, wildfire.

These daffodils look like they were visited by the sun, up close and personally. The radiant orange centers and the extreme illuminated yellow petals only add to the brilliance of the look. Another favorite photo of mine only due to the energy burst these two seem to be getting and the composition they share. Hope you are out enjoying what nature has to offer. It is only the start of the season here and I can't wait for the next phase which is pink in our yard.

Word - Blaze

The word for this week is blaze.

Its noun meaning: fire; intense direct light accompanied by heat; something (as a dazzling display or sudden outburst) suggesting fire.

I have to say that this is my favorite photo this year. Not only are these little daffodils new to the yard but the drama is just ablazing (pun intended). The intense sunlight, me taking the photo while laying in the yard and the fantastically colored centers all contribute wonders to this heated composition. I hope it makes you feel the warmth of the sun and are struck by the feeling of ignited creativity. I know I can't wait to make this as large as possible and hang it on my red wall. Contemporary, dramatic and full of flair - perfection in my artistic book - ahhhh!

Hearts Row

Aren't they just charming? I couldn't resist sharing them in a row with you as well. Hanging there in such an orderly fashion, so well behaved. You know they cause trouble at night when no one is looking, right? Happy May!