When life gives you lemons, draw them, 11 x 14 inches dry pastels, graphite on paper

"When life gives you lemons, draw them." (Nikki)

"Color! What a deep and mysterious language." (Paul Gauguin)

Seasonal

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Beauty and the beast

Saturday, March 15th, 2008


 
Calla Lily

I couldn’t resist buying a deep-yellow Calla Lily at the local nursery, then while out pulling weeds and transplanting it, a large slow-moving beetle called for a portrait.

Beetle with a body about 1.5 inches long

Mockingbird ritual

Thursday, March 6th, 2008


Mockingbird mating flight ritual - 10 x 10 inches study in graphite, eraser, paper

Mockingbird mating flight ritual – 10 x 10 inches study in graphite, eraser, paper

Last night it was especially noticeable that the Mockingbirds have started their mating season. Pronouncing himself at the highest peak on a rooftop, the male mocks other birds’ calls, repeating each 3-4 times before changing to another call. Then in a ritual flight dance he flies up a short distance and does graceful flip in the air, flashing the white wing stripes, back to the perch and repeats the pattern over and over.

After listening to them quite a bit, there are some that have a larger repertoire of calls and a louder, determined, clearer song…I’m guessing that those are the most mature and attractive.

Snow

Tuesday, March 4th, 2008


 
March snow melting in the rising sun - Lewisville, TX

75*F a couple of days ago, and snow last night. Spring temps here in northern Texas go from one extreme to the other.

Grape Hyacinth, March snowfall

Great White Egret and Mayfly

Saturday, March 1st, 2008


Great White Egret and Mayfly in Coppell, Texas

Great White Egret at Andy Brown Jr. Park, Coppell, Texas. Early morning melting frost, still slightly foggy, enough sun to make the water and dew in the grass sparkle, with a Mayfly appearing at exactly the right moment!
The photo was digitally changed to black and white and the contrast was clarified.

Perennial Friends

Friday, February 29th, 2008


 
Grape Hyacinth

The Grape Hyacinth started blooming this week…next the Iris, and I can’t wait to see the Ornamental Onions again.

Mockingbird

Wednesday, February 27th, 2008


 
Mockingbird - Lewisville, Texas

This week mating season has started for Mockingbirds in northeast Texas. Mockingbirds mimic over 120 bird calls, and I’m guessing there are a couple of frog calls in the mix too. Really interesting, and a sound I love hearing when outside doing yardwork.

Palo Verde tree in bloom at a nursery in Ajijic, Mexico

Friday, February 15th, 2008


 
Palo Verde tree in bloom at a nursery in Ajijic, Mexico
Palo Verde tree in bloom at a nursery in Ajijic, Mexico

Valentine

Sunday, February 10th, 2008


 
Hey, remind me to buy my wife a card for Valentine’s Day.”

Graphite drawing, scanned and detailed with digital pen.

February Yawn

Tuesday, February 5th, 2008


 
February Yawn - Photography

Even the trees are bored with winter!

Eastern White Pine

Friday, February 1st, 2008


 

Eastern White Pine, 18H x 24W inches oil pastels on paper

Eastern White Pine 18 x 24 inches oil pastels on paper, professionally framed, total size 21 x 27 inches. Sold.

Finished today, and the first drawing in a long time that I didn’t stop to document along the way…that breaks the momentum of work sometimes. This one kind of flew out for a change! It can be viewed in Arlington, Texas at AVAA’s 32nd Annual Regional Juried Art Exhibit, February 15 – March 28, 2008.

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