Word - Water

The word of the week is water.

Its noun meaning - the liquid that descends as rain and forms rivers, lakes, and seas; a natural mineral water; the water occupying or flowing in a particular bed; any of various liquids containing or resembling water; a watery fluid form or circulating in a living organism; a specified degree of thoroughness or completeness.

It has been dreary and rainy here all day. I was inspired by the wonderful drops of water collecting on all the garden greenery so decided to share the wonderment with you. I love how the drops magnify the pattern of the leaves that you probably wouldn't have noticed otherwise. This would make a great study of green and water drops since most of them contain very little color, just a brightness to mimic the light of the day. I could get lost in this photo with all the medium values connected with dark spaces and circles of life - love that!

Palette - Nest

I wanted to share my springtime palette with you and couldn't wait to show you these wonderful robin's eggs surrounded by crab apple blossoms. Could the photo be a better representation of the fresh, vibrant early season? I'm really not thinking so. Although the nest is quite dark, that happens when you are holding the camera above your head really hoping that you get a shot at all, I love it's position in the composition. Can you believe the palette I pulled from this photo? What can you imagine with that as your guide? I can only see new growth, tiny buds, perfumed scents and natures miracles. What a great way to live!

Dangling Wonders

Some Thesaurus words for "powerful" - able, almighty, capable, commanding, compelling, convincing, dynamic, efficacious, forceful, impressive, paramount, potent, prevailing, robust, sturdy, supreme, telling, vigorous.

Did you ever really study these little bleeding heart flowers? I mean, really look at their charm, color and gracefulness. I find them so impressive that I can't stand it. The way they move in unison with the most gentle of breezes. The thin stem that supports their huge translucent pink hearts and let's not even talk about the way the pink flaps flip upward to expose the white center stamen. Did you happen to notice the white heart on the stamen? Oh yeah, the gifts just keep coming! Small, mighty and a commanding must for any garden. What are you waiting for? Go purchase these little dynamos today :D

Word - Powerful

The word for this week is powerful.

Its adjective meaning: the ability to act or produce an effect; a position of ascendancy over other; physical might; force or energy used to do work; magnification.

I was hoping to capture the scene in my photo and was thrilled when I did. Isn't this the most stunning, dramatic photo you have ever seen? It is to me and I am simply in love with the power it has in its presence. It feels strong, captures my attention and demands that I look at it no matter where I am. Can you believe I said that about a photo? I know, right? It is a force of energy and I am so happy to share its powerful beauty with you. Walk tall, be strong and make a statement today!

Happiness

This is the underside of those lovely dogwoods from yesterday's post. Can you see the magnificent splashes of hot pink color on the tips of each petal? What was Mother Nature thinking in doing that? We don't normally walk up to a tree and peer underneath its blooms just to sneak a peek, right? I hope it was her intention to make us appreciate beauty from all views and in all walks of life. We are all created in love and should want to do our best with each passing day. Be kind, open a door, smile at a stranger, leave a hidden treasure - create an environment you would be proud to walk in. Find a happiness that exemplifies beauty in the every day. After all, this is your life, shouldn't it be fantastically lived to the fullest? I sure hope so!

A Lovely Lunge

This is a newer dogwood tree and this year it is full of reaching blooms that follow the sunlight. It makes me stop the car in the driveway each and every day to admire its beauty. I captured the single blossom as it lunged towards the sunlight giving it such beauty, strength and gracefulness that I can almost cry. The delicate translucent white petals and the deep avocado leaves touched by a hint of fuchsia makes me admire the artistic work of Mother Nature. What fun she must have had touching her brush into a full palette of color and splashing the nature around her giving it life and wonderment. It has delighted my creative spirit for years and I know it will continue for many more to come!

Springs Perfume

We have so many lilac bushes around our property and have added several different varieties over the years to fill in where we needed them. Today it was one of those humid days where the sweet aroma just lingered in the air drowning you in its perfume from head to toe. Even the puppies stopped and sniffed the air soaking in its spring loveliness. I bring in a blossom or two every day while these are blooming because I love the scent it leaves in the studio. It is the first thing to hit me in the morning as I open the french doors and the last thing I smell at night as I head up to bed. I don't know where my love of these flowers stemmed from but I cannot remember a time in my life where there wasn't a bush close by and ready to smell :D

Bent Light

Some Thesaurus words for "brilliant" - ablaze, coruscating, dazzling, effulgent, flashy, gleaming, glittering, glossy, intense, luminous, lustrous, radiant, resplendent, scintillating, sparkling, vivid.

For me this bleeding hearth branch captured my creative attention right away. Who could resist that beautiful curve with the brilliantly lit leaves on top. This scene seems to sparkle and glow in the sunlight just waiting for someone to take notice. Would you have seen it or just passed right by? I hope it would have stopped you in your tracks letting you bask in its luminous glory and appreciate its beauty. Stop. Look. See what treasures are awaiting you today. Enjoy them!

Word - Brilliance

The word for the week is brilliance.

Its adjective meaning: very bright; striking, distinctive; very intelligent, radiant, lustrous, beaming, lucid, bright, lambent.

When was the last time you had a moment of brilliance? Me, everyday. Every morning I look out my extra large bedroom windows and let the view inspire those moments. Yes, every single day! I am very much in love with my yard, the flowers, the trees and all the insects and birds that help achieve balance in all things nature. This shot shows you the bright, striking sky making everything else seems less colorful but just as beautiful. This kind of royal blue will make me dance along outside taking photos for hours without a care in the world. Enjoy some brilliance today, you are worth it!

Happy Easter!

Wanted to wish you and your family a very Happy Easter! May it be filled with family and friends, traditions and laughter and let's not forget the always fun Easter egg hunt. I really miss seeing the nieces and nephews searching out all the fun then enjoying the prizes hidden inside. A new generation is here though, a few more years before roaring excitement once again. Enjoy the precious memories and treasure the times together!

Ahhh Spring!

Are you sick of seeing these yet? I hope not. I just wanted to share one more with you, please...

This one is special because of the brilliant cerulean blue sky in the background. Can you believe how wonderful this color combination is? Spring at its finest for sure! The color really does take you somewhere dreamy, almost fairy tale like. It seems unnatural for so much beauty to be in one yard. And to catch it on camera, priceless to my creative side. Look up, see what surrounds you - may it make you breathless!

Crab Apple Row

I loved this photo of the crab apples because of the way the blooms looked on this sprawling branch. All lined up looking pretty special for the shot. The sun casting a nice bronze look over all the flowers. Did you see him today? This one is tricky but I knew you were up for the challenge. Look closely in the void under the flowers, that hanging spot of golden yellow. Yep, that's him buzzing around looking for someplace luscious to land. Hope you've enjoyed being observers of nature through my eyes these past three days, it was great fun for me!

5 days button

Caught

Some Thesaurus words for "observe" - beam, behold, catch, contemplate, detect, discover, examine, inspect, mark, monitor, perceive, recognize, regard, scrutinize, spot, spy, study, view, watch, witness.

After yesterday's post, I know you found that great bumble bee today in the photo, right? I can't help myself, he blends in so well with and looks just like the center of the flower (hint, far right). I was so amazed that I was able to capture him so well with the way he was flying. He dove into each and every flower center leaving nothing untapped or left over for the next bee that came this way. Besides, I just wanted you to take a look as this beautiful photo of my crab apples in bloom. They are something else this year, a feast for the eyes - enjoy!

Word - Observe

The word of the week is observe.

Its verb meaning - to conform one's action or practice to; celebrate; to make a scientific observation of; to see or sense especially through careful attention; to come to realize especially through consideration of noted facts; remark.

Did you see it? The dynamic bumble bee in flight to the far left. I sure hope I made you look at the picture again :D I took a second look myself and almost missed him. Even though in the garden, I made sure to catch him in the act of gathering nectar and pollen from the lovely crab apple trees surrounding our property. Don't you just love surprises? That's exactly how I felt cropping this photo, knowing you would be in for a lovely treat today. Enjoy and take time to observe all of nature, who knows what she has planned for you tomorrow!

Let it Shine!

I love seed pods and well these just captured my heart. The form, their reach into the sky, the beautiful sunlight casting a golden hue over last years treasure - yes, everything about them spoke to my artistic side. I cropped them extremely to the right to make you give them your full attention for the brief moment you look at my photo. Hope you saw the beauty from my eyes to yours, that was the intention of the post today. To share in nature and really see the details it has to offer, that is my purpose as an artist. Thank you for being a willing participant in my art class today, I really appreciate it!