Magenta Magic

We have four of these magenta beauties in the front garden and I have to say they are blooming the best they ever have. They are about 8 feet tall now and covered with these majestically magical blooms making the neighbors stop for a better look every now and then. It adds such a dramatic flair against the white blossoms of the cherry and pear trees that you simply cannot look away. This is my favorite time of the year and when I love my yard the best. The trees all bloom with either various shades of pink or white creating a cotton candy feast for your eyes, no matter where they land - love that!

Venus in the Spring

The yellow daffodils are coming up in larger, brighter bunches than last year and I cannot believe how much they make me smile. How can you not with that beautiful bright cadmium yellow speckled throughout the yard, right? I know Venus is sure enjoying the garden view from her spot this year. I love that the statuary is finally getting a bit of patina, especially this one with all the pea green moss clinging to here almost bare body. I can't wait until she disappears into the landscape just a little bit further making you really look closely to see her beauty. I hope you are appreciating the early spring blooms like I am - may they make you smile from ear to ear!

Dreamer

I have always been a bit of a dreamer and feel they are important aspects of life, no matter who you are. I believe if you can dream it, you can make it happen. It will take work but anything worth having always does. What do you dream about? How can you make it happen? I know you deserve it so take a chance and dream BIG! This is a little piece of art done on a playing card to remind me to hold fast to my dreams and let them fly with wild abandonment!

Hello Sunshine!

Everything about this composition makes me smile! I love the divet in the cement wall, the single daffodil looking right into the sunshine warming itself. It's waiting for the arrival of friends and family who are not even hinting into bloom yet but are on their way, promise. I cropped it tight and elongated to give you the feeling of appreciating life in all its glory no matter where you stand. So to you and spring, I say "hello sunshine!"

Cryptic Color

I was so delighted to see the beginning of our daffodils opening. I always look forward to their sunny centers letting me know that the spring season is on its way. The ruffled center that pushes its way outward from the creamy white petals makes me wonder what Mother Nature was thinking when she created these beauties. So delicate and almost mysterious in their form that I find them one of the most challenging flowers to render. I can draw them quite well but the colors are just mystifying, almost unobtainable. Do you see the many shades of blues, greens and yellows in the white petals? How about the bright orange and deep green almost going into a violet for the centers? Are you understanding my perplexities now? Such simple elegance that sends my muse running for the hills wanting no part of the puzzle that lays ahead on my color palette. Now where did she go...

Radiance

These rose of sharon seed pod casings grabbed my attention almost instantly. The light was giving them a radiant golden yellow hue that spoke to my heart and soul. Not only was the subject lit up but the fanning shapes themselves were just spectacular. I love that you can see the wrinkled center vein in each petal giving movement to an inanimate object. How the light gives it depth and dimension while making you really study the anatomy and beauty of the fragile pod. The light dances from one petal to the next making you try to figure out what it what giving it a moment of intrigue that sends my creative muse twirling in the sunlight. Do you see it? Can you feel the sun giving it life and making you take notice? I sure hope so. I also wonder what you will see the next time you find yourself looking into a ray of light that focuses your attention on something you probably wouldn't have seen before. My wish, that you slow down and appreciate the beauty right in front of you!

Word - Delicate

The word for this week is delicate.

Its adjective meaning - pleasing to the senses of taste or smell; marked by daintiness or charm; exquisite; fastidious; easily damaged; fragile; requiring skill or tact; marked by minute precision; very sensitive.

Today was a gorgeous day in the Midwest with temperatures in the high 70's in March nonetheless. I couldn't be happier so I grabbed the puppies and my camera and went exploring in the garden. Seed pods fascinate me beyond belief and I am thrilled when I see a new one I haven't taken a picture of before. As I came around the corner of the house heading for the front yard, what did I see but a cluster of tomato red brightness dangling in the sky. Not only was it unexpected in this dreary grey season but the light, oh my, the light was just dazzling. I loved the way the blue sky gave the berries all the support they could possibly need to show off their glorious, transparent yet withered fruit. I hope you are out searching your yard for accidental inspirations and when you find one, you smile from ear to ear knowing you discovered a treasure.

The Sisters

I loved this shot because of the closeness of the crocus huddled together like a family hence my title of "the sisters." I hope you took notice of how the inward petals are variegated but the outer trio is rich with color giving the inner ones extra notice. I love how they form an off kilter triangle and know this will end up in one of my designs eventually. I love the texture of the dried leaves combined with the tree bark making those crocus really have life and stand out above the rest. Maybe a mixed media background would give me the right start. Yep, I'm off to the drawing board, wish me luck...

Rich Hues of Color

After the beautiful variegated crocus of yesterday, I wanted to share this one because of its rich, vibrant hues of violet. Where else can you find the beauty of the deep blue violet petals surrounding a glowing orange center? Mother Nature has her way of intriguing us around every corner, doesn't she? I'm always inspired and couldn't wait to share these little lovelies with you. I hope you have some planted around your yard because they are little miracles that let you know spring is on the way.

Spring Guests

Spring time has arrived at my house, finally YEAH! The crocus are emerging all over the place and I just had to share photos of these little beauties. This on was being visited by the little ladybug so I kept my time short and sweet. Only when I was cropping did I notice the fly, did you see it right away? I sure didn't I was more concerned with catching the ladybug before it flew away. I love it when things you didn't plan turn out to be hidden discoveries!

It's Official

It's Official, Spring has arrived to the Midwest with a balmy 67 degrees today. So unheard of here because you usually find these little crocus accompanied by a snowdrift or two. Missed the snowy white days but am so looking forward to the glorious colors found in the garden. This little cluster just made me smile because of all the vibrancy after the dreary greys of winter. Did you happen to see the reflection in the bottom left, it kind of looks like the top of a heart doesn't it? I think it is telling me it is glad to see daylight once again, at least that's my story for it.

O

My sister treated my mom and I to Cirque du Soleil O tickets on our last night in Las Vegas and oh, what a treat that was. I was so excited I could barely stand it and when it started, my artistic spirit just went crazy. The photo shows my favorite part where the artists dangled off of large hoops and did the most amazing tricks high above us all suspended over water and sparkling by the dazzling light arrangements. The staging of water and land was so impressive that you just sit there with your mouth hanging open because it happens so quick and smooth that you are like what just happened? There is so much going on at one time that to take it all in would take several showings and I bet you would still overlook something. The beauty and talent and creative genius should not be missed. If you get the chance, go, go, go - you will be dreaming about it for days afterwards with a large smile on your face. Thanks Dawn for the most amazing gift!


PHOTO SOURCE
http://www.mylasvegasentertainment.com/las-vegas-shows/top-10-las-vegas-shows/top-10-las-vegas-show-cirque-du-soleil-o.htm

Mystere

While in Las Vegas I got to see Cirque du Soleil's Mystere and let me tell you, it was fabulous. These were by far my favorite costumes because they looked like they had oranges on for pants and I just loved the movement they had as they danced. It was magical, entertaining and the acrobatics were out of this world. I can't imagine the strength of these performers and just how effortless they make it all look - unbelievable. If you get the chance to see this, put it high on your wish list, you won't regret it.

PHOTO SOURCE
http://static01.cirquedusoleil.com/en/~/media/destinations/las-vegas/img/contenu/extras/wallpaper_mystere_800_600.jpg

An Introduction

While at the Claude Monet exhibit it also featured a few artists and friends of his and their art was just as moving as his own. After the exhibit I wrote this in my notebook about Eugene Louis Boudin and his artwork Fashionable Figures on the Beach. "I was introduced to a wonderful artist today. The low composition and detail figures talked to my heart and soul. Will my art touch others like that? Can it? Will I let it?" It brought me to tears and today it still moves me in a way no other artist really has. To be so different and unique and able to tell a story yet fill a viewers heart with beauty beyond belief, that is what I want my art to be. He has lifted my artistic spirit to strive for new uncharted territories in my art and given me the challenge to really dig deep for the inspiration and the soul of my artful journey. Thank you Eugene for sharing your art with the world!

PHOTO SOURCE http://www.artfinder.com/work/fashionable-figures-on-the-beach-eugene-louis-boudin/

Art Whispers

While in Las Vegas this past week I had a rare opportunity to visit an art exhibition featuring Claude Monet. The soft palette and interesting impasto strokes made me feel all dreamy and not yet awake while walking the small rooms viewing this impressionistic artwork. Visions of pale peach, mellow yellow, soft lavender and mint julep greens filled my head with calm and gentleness that I really can't explain but will try. Envision waking up while the sky is just turning a soft hue of pink on the horizon, dew still on the ground from the cool evening and the promise of a glorious sunny day hangs in the air. Yes, that is the feeling I experienced while admiring his work. I am amazed that I found this photo of a simple haystack so enjoyable and moving at the same time. When you are transformed into the art for even the briefest of time, I feel the artist has done their job letting you see the subject through their eyes. Just simply breathtaking and it is a day I will remember for a long, long time to come.

PHOTO SOURCE http://www.fineartprintsondemand.com/artists/monet/haystacks_setting_sun.htm