Wild at heART

Something New

2012-02-23T13:55:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago, I clicked a button to change the look of the blog. It lost several things, the slide show, the list of other web sites, books and more. Took me a while to get it back to what it was but could not find the background of leaves. So for now we will go with this nice neutral look.

Along with trying something new for the blog background I have been playing around with sealing pastels. I did a quick drawing on a small canvas using soft pastels. First coat I used water to push the soft pastel into the canvas. I thought this might help to set the pastel but not really. It still could be moved around with your figures or a brush. I did a workable fixative to stabilize it some. I worked up the image, a bird using sticks and pencil pastels. Again used workable fixative, which knocks the whites back some. I reapplied the lights and whites, sealed again and then sprayed it with a UV-Resistant Clear Matte Acrylic Coating.

The Acrylic Coating, made the whole thing dark and lost all the whites. After it dried, I added whites and brights with a heavy hand, harder pastels, sprayed again and the whites held this time. Lost some of the bright colors, one more time added brights, sprayed to seal. Still darker then I would like but held better. And the whole point to this experiment was to see how pastels work on canvas and if they can be sealed so they will not come off if they are rubbed. This allows the pastel painting to be hung without a frame or glass.

I continued this test on paper, the colors stayed closer to true, did not lose as much brightness. The next step will be to adhere the paper to board or canvas and seal it so the painting can also be displayed without glass.

Soft Pastel on canvas sealed with acrylic coating

Soft Pastel on cotton rag paper sealed with acrylic coating

Pastel Demo Rocks & Eagle Feather

2012-02-05T09:57:00.000-08:00

Trying something new, made a step by step slide movie of my latest pastel. Rocks from Fox Island, Alaska Beach & Eagle Feather.

Sunday Morning

2012-01-29T05:48:00.000-08:00

Sunday, a day of rest and reflection. The last few days, few weeks have been busy ones. Today will slow down a bit, at least looking forward to going gently into this good day. Wrapped up the art show with the Artists of Scottsdale Ranch in AZ. Good show with lots of people attending and some good sales too. It is hard work doing a one day show.

Will start a step by step post next week on doing stones and a feather in pastel. Until then I leave you with sunrise in AZ.

The colors of the sky

2012-01-17T19:34:00.000-08:00

As the sun was setting tonight the sky was turning colors you do not always think of as a sky color. It was yellow, moving into peach then orange, but a soft orange. There were no clouds to reflect the light back or under. So the sky gently changed colors and moved into the night sky. With the lack of clouds it has allowed for viewing lots of stars and planets. At this time of year there are six planets that are visible from sunset to sunrise.

It was a nice way to go gently into the evening. A soft slow setting of the sun.

Sometimes you just need a sunflower

2012-01-13T13:27:00.000-08:00

While at my favorite food store - Trader Joe's - my son asks if I am going to buy flowers. Why not? So, I look and there are lots of beautiful flowers, mixed colors, roses, hydrangea, lilies, but when I turned around there were sunflowers. They were what I wanted, what I needed, something bright and friendly to fill my kitchen window with warmth. The last couple of mornings I get up to make my coffee and there they are standing up tall and full. As the sun was traveling across that part of the house the light bounced off the flowers. I had to take some pictures. And with any luck at all I will do some drawings of these lovely flowers. Marilu has already done a number of scratchboards of these wonderful flowers. Here are some photos of mine and a scratchboard of Marilu's. Enjoy these little bits of sunshine. Some days you just need a sunflower.

Artists of Scottsdale Ranch 4th Annual Show

2012-01-10T15:48:00.001-08:00

Artists of Scottsdale Ranch 4th Annual Show, a set on Flickr.

A New Year A New Start

2012-01-04T18:36:00.000-08:00

With each New Year we get that moment in time to reflect on the past year and think of those things we would like to do better, to improve ourselves, our lives, & our work. To deal with changes that we do not always, usually never have control over. Yet, we figure out a way to make things happen.

I am happy that I have some amazing moments. I get to spend time out west in the winter. There is always something blooming or buzzing around. Tomorrow heading down to the town of Bisbee. I have not been there before. New Year, new adventures, new locations to find inspiration for new art.

Until then here are a few pictures from the Desert Botanical Gardens evening luminaries and day time new sculptures in the gardens. Next post hope to have some interesting finds from Bisbee & Tucson area to post.

Tree Music

2011-11-02T08:44:00.000-07:00

As I was trying to find reference photographs I came upon the Bend, OR file. It was nice to go back through and re-visit the trip from this past summer. In doing so I came upon several photos that may not be what I need today but inspired the thought for future work.

I have been doing a series of Snowy Owls this past year and want to move on to Great Horned Owls. I found a great picture of one sitting on a branch. Hoping to start working on that some time very soon. But, for now will continue the leaf theme for the upcoming mini show this weekend.

While looking at leaves, small birds, etc. I saw a information board photo I had taken. I do this to remind myelf of where I have been, what I have seen, the names of trees, birds, & places. The sign was titled: Tree Music, the area was filled with Aspen Trees. On the east coast this is the time of year we hear a lot of tree music. The leaves on the trees are at the end of their color, many are brown, making all kinds of musical sounds. Then there are the leaves already on the ground, making noise as the moving air blows them around and the whispering sounds of walking through the leaves. It is a very calming sound, makes me want to go for a walk.

Halloween Tree

2011-10-31T07:51:00.000-07:00

The leaves are almost gone but this past week while in Floyd, VA I saw this tree that was striking and made me think of Halloween - the black & orange color theme!

Halloween-All-Hollows-Even

Summer's end - Samhain time of preparation for the cold winter. The time of year when physical and supernatural worlds are the closest and magical things could happen.

according to wikipedia.org

Heading up to the studio to work on some of those magical things. Marilu & I are putting together a Mini Holiday Nature Art Show opening this Saturday Novemeber 5th. Yes it is almost Novemeber! Come by 3 N. Main Street, Mt. Airy, MD from 11 - 3:30 on the 5th watch demonstration and see the creations we have come up with for the winter celebrations.

View from my back door early this morning, Blacksburg, VA

Seasons

2011-10-22T08:40:00.000-07:00

Websters dictionary says that seasons is "action of sowing" - "one of the divisions of the year" - "a special period" - Sowing is "to plant seeds for growing esp. by scattering".

I do believe that is what Mother Nature was doing this week, the winds blew the leaves, pods, seeds from the trees, scattering the seeds to rest during the winter waiting for spring to come. Autumn is a special time of year, the sky is bluer, the trees give us one last show before the winter rest comes. Walking in the woods, listening to the sound of the leaves under foot. The smell in the air, the crispness in the air and in the fall fruits, apples, hmmm.

Each year I collect leaves, I don't need more leaves but there is always one that is so beautiful that you just have to pick it up. Since, I plan to use the leaf image in my work for the mini show coming up in Nov. I have a reason to collect a few along the way. Leaves are wonderful to use in making monotype prints.Not only do they leave lovely negative shapes but transfer the ink in multiple layers.

Enjoy the season, take a walk, breath in the clear crisp air and prepare for the seasons to follow.

Along The Blue Ridge Mountains

2011-10-21T07:52:00.000-07:00

Just a few miles up and over the Blue Ridge Mountains the leaves have already hit their peak color. The cold front that is now blowing through has taken many of the leaves off the trees. Our timing was pretty good last weekend. My husband Rick, friend Sarah & I took a day trip to Floyd, VA and along a section of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It was a bit windy but not too mad. The worst of the wind was in those overlooks that give you panoramic views. We were up near Buffalo Mountain. As we came down and were in-between the trees we were sheltered from the strong winds. Along the Parkway is private land, farms, we saw cows, horses and wild turkeys.

There are sycamore trees, wild rhododendron, pines here & there. Seeing the leaves falling always inspires me. Life has been some what busy with moving to a new location. Still trying to get the studio space to flow. But, the leaves have helped me figure out what I need to do for my up coming mini holiday show. I purchased several shapes & mini sizes of different kinds of canvas/boards. I kept going through pictures trying to think how to make small pictures work for a holiday winter type show. As I think of those leaves, the colors, the movement, I do believe that most of the images will be leaves. Some prints, using monotype & linocuts to create them and maybe some mixed medium painting type pieces. Might have to have a few little birds in there too.

Elements - Water - Air - Earth - Fire

2011-10-20T07:49:00.000-07:00

Listening to the wind blow this morning, dealing with pastels in the rain, leaves falling to the earth and wild fires out west. Since my work is influences by nature, I deal with the four elements all the time. They are part of my life as they are part of every one's life. There is a fifth element, quintessence, "quint" meaning fifth and the belief that this element is beyond the material world. The dictionary says quintessence is: "the purest essence of something". I used this as a title to one of my charcoal drawings, not knowing the connection of the fifth element.

Recently, I went to Chincoteague Island for a plein air painting weekend. It was hosted by my good friend Jeanean Songco Martin. It was a bit rainy over the weekend, there were breezes to deal with and mosquitoes. Marilu & I were in search of birds and trees. We found both, but in the area we were searching the mosquitoes were heavy and hungry. We found an area we could pull off the road in the National Wildlife Refuge and stay in the car to work. We jumped in & out of the car taking photos of herons, egrets, other shore birds and trees. We settled on a tree with some vine twisted around it from bottom to top. We could not identify the twisted vine, it was not poison ivy which is often seen on tree trucks but it was interesting so we took the time to do a field sketch. We were able to do some sketches of Great Egrets & Snowy Egrets as they were caring for their feathers, sitting in the trees over a swampy water area.

It did not occur to me then but as I look back at taking those moments to sit in peace and quite. To draw what we see in nature, I believe that it was a quintessence moment. It was the purest form of nature, watching but not interferring, recording what we see and taking that moment of peace as a private moment.

Bird Myths: Life - Death - Creation

2011-09-04T09:55:00.000-07:00

I came across several references to birds flying in and out of windows, into your house and pretty much all of them said that it meant there has been or will be a death in the family or of a friend. It referenced the soul leaving the body on death and going into birds. As birds are the in between of the earth and after worlds. Birds are messengers.

I took this to be a good sign, as my mother-in-law had passed away this year and had not seen our new home. She loved watching the birds come to the feeders, her favorites were finches and hummingbirds. Maybe it was she who came for a visit.

Birds have been a strong theme for Marilu & I over the last several years. It seems to me that this increased greatly after our trip to Alaska. The myths on birds there are strong, the eagle associated with royalty, strength, courage, often thought of as a hero and a hunter. The raven is just as powerful in the world of myths. Ravens are both heros & tricksters. The raven presented many gifts to humans, light from the sun, moon & stars, names for plants and the formation of the earth (Denali - the great one).

Being in AZ this week I noted the reference of the phoenix, burning up every 500 years to rise again from the ashes. May have something to do with the heat around here.

The last note on birds for today is the Owl, symbol of wisdom, patiences & learning but also thought of as dark, a night hunter and secretive. One of my favorite birds to draw. I read a Navajo myth that the owl stopped man & woman from a quarrel allowing the creation of the human race.

If you want to do a little more reading on the subject of Myths and Birds you might want to look at http://www.mythencylopedia.com/ I found much of the information there along with a few other sites.

Marilu's scratchboard of raven

Linda's monotype of raven

Linda's pastel of snowy owl

Marilu's scratchboard of snowy owl

A Bird in the Hand

2011-09-02T12:45:00.000-07:00

Moving In: We were moving into our new home in Blacksburg, VA the guys were unloading the truck, doors were open and a bird flew in...confused it was trying to find a way back out. The front room has lots of light and it could not fine a way out through the windows.

One of the guys opened the door but it flew passed and tried a different window. Even more confused in landed on a box. I was able to go around to the back of the bird and gentle cover it with both my hands. It did not move, I am sure he was a bit stunned. I walked him over to the door stepped out clear of the house and opened my hands.

He flew away unharmed and happy for his freedom.

I know there is a myth or something that speaks of a bird flying into your home and bringing you luck. That will have to be a little something I do some research on for another days blog, who knows maybe tomorrow. Until then I feel privileged to have had that moment with the bird resting in my hands.

Something New

2011-08-13T04:56:00.000-07:00

Last night as I was sitting outside watching the activities of the evening it got very busy. Hummingbirds were all about male & female cardinals flying around, woodpeckers in the woods and a female deer comes flying by in full out leaps across the hill, just beautiful. We heard other noises in the woods as we look up we see something, not a fox too big, not the wolf-dog that lives down the road, too small, not a dog for sure, it was two coyotes! Surprised us, we have heard that they were in the woods but over all the years living here we have never seen them until last night.

The coyote has been moving east and south over the years and population increasing so no surprise that they are here. Just a nice surprise for us to be able to see one or two. Of course they were too busy and too fast for me to get my camera. Nice way to end the evening.

Light Shows

2011-08-08T09:04:00.000-07:00

Just a week ago I was in AZ and it is the monsoon season. This brings big billowing clouds, high temperatures, beautiful sunsets, heat lighting, sand storms and thunderstorms. One night was especially full of clouds and the sunset was amazing, pinks, yellows, oranges, reds just breathtaking. As the sun was going down the light show began, heat lighting but it was behind the clouds jumping from side to side and up and down. My son said it looked liked the flashes from paparazzi photographers. Then the thunderstorm started rolling in with lighting going across the sky parallel to the ground. It was an impressive evening.

Back in MD I saw a different kind of light show. Early morning as the sun is rising and the wind is gently blowing the dappled light goes across the trees. The leaves play a little tune and the trees rubbing on each other have the sound of deer or elk as they call out for their mate.

It takes time and patience to try to capture these moments via the camera or by painting. I am sadden as I will be leaving MD soon and one of the paintings I always wanted to do in plein air was the evening sun going behind the mountain, the back lighting of the trees from the back of my studio. I will continue to take pictures but creating the piece as you see it is so powerful for me. The timing is hard, as you only have an hour at most to capture that light.

I did a pastel of trees years ago with the eveing light viewed from the front of my studio, each evening at 5:00 I would set up outside and paint till the light changed enough to stop for the night. I worked on the piece off and on for a month. Some days the clouds changed my lighting, it was a lovely way to spend my evening. I will miss the mornings with the soft light and the evenings with the back lighting. With time I will find new light shows to spark a new piece of work.

AZ Sky

Frederick, MD

A Day To Myself

2011-08-01T08:39:00.000-07:00

Still in AZ the weather reports called for rain on Sunday and around 108 degrees. Did not see the rain till close to midnight but good day to find something to do inside. Made watermelon gazpacho, sounded like something nice and cool to have over the next couple of days. I do not want to turn the oven on but I find when I can not get to my studio I usually like to bake. Baking is not an option today, at least I can do something creative in the kitchen.

Once that was done I settled down with a small piece of paper that I had toned maybe a year ago. I knew what I wanted to go on it just had not gotten to it yet. Hummingbirds, a Mom & her baby, newly fledged but still dependent on Mom. I was luckly to be in Tucson at the Sonoran Living Desert Museum and saw 3 hummingbirds with various stages of babies, one on her eggs, one with brand new babies and the one I did a pastel from, just learning to fly.

The piece is done with soft pastels, toning white BFK paper, using my kneaded eraser to put out the light areas and then going back into it with pastel sticks & pencils. It is 4X6, need to do a couple more this size for a mini show coming up at Fells Point this fall. It was a nice day to myself, a gift.

Discoveries

2011-07-29T10:31:00.000-07:00

I am always amazed at Mother Nature and often surprised. Travels in OR took me to Bend not in the middle of the state but close. The Deschutes River runs through it with National Forest to the west. One of my discoveries was that near Bend is Lava Butte. I had not thought about lava flows being part of the landscape of OR. There are many waterfalls, lakes, trees snow covered mountains and the remains of volcanoes. Lava Butte is part of the Newberry Volcanic Monument. You can drive up to the Butte and walk around the red & black rocks of the cone volcano. The view is filled with Ponderosas Pine, Mt. Bachelor, Tumalo Mtn. & South Sister Mountain.

Time to Smell the Roses

2011-07-15T09:31:00.000-07:00

Life gets in the way sometimes and we forget to take time to smell the roses. Being on the road a lot this year it has been hard to keep the creative spirit going. A friend reminded me to take a moment and smell the roses. I was in Portland, OR when she sent this note. I had the opportunity to go to the Chinese Gardens and do just that, smell the roses. The garden is small, tucked in the middle of Portland on the corner of China Town. It has little spaces to just sit and meditate. Giving you moments to just be, it was a good way to start to slow down.

Hazy, lazy days of summer.....

2011-07-11T11:07:00.000-07:00

It's July in the mid-Atlantic. That means Hazy-Hot-Humid. It doesn't bring on strong desires to hike in the woods. At any rate, the wildlife is laying low too. Very little activity except early morning and late evening. Even the birds are quiet in the middle of the day.
I guess this is what I take all those photographs for while on vacations in search of wildlife. To work on during the hot days in the coolness of my studio. I've been gravitating toward the images from Alaska, all the while remembering the cool breezes and icy glaciers. Some of the eagle photos are high on my list. I've sketched one out that I think will make a dramatic scratchboard. But I'm also enamored with a photograph that a friend took while in Costa Rico. It's a Blue and Gold Macaw. He got a great head and shoulders shot and the blue colors are amazing. He's given me permission to use it, and that's what I'm working on now.
There are several exhibit opportunities coming up this Fall. The Art at the Mill in northern Virginia is always a popular show; the miniture show will be held again this year at the Gallery at Fells Point in Baltimore; a two person show with my daughter in Frederick in September; several venues throughout the region that accept one or two pieces for a month; and the big event of Art-o-matic in Frederick running late September into early November. Also, Linda and I will continue to collaborate on exhibits every chance we get. Wow, I think I'd better get busy!!!
These and other events will be listed on the Calendar pages on our websites as the dates are firmed up. Check it often at http://www.marilutousignaut.com/ and http://www.lindaharrisonparsons.com/. I've also recently joined the group of artists represented by The Artist Angle. You can see those works and order fine art prints online at http://www.marilutousignaut.theartistangle.com/.
marilu

Red Tailed Hawks

2011-06-27T12:16:00.000-07:00

We have a Red Tailed Hawk family at the edge of our woods. Perfect location, overlooking a small meadow of tall grasses. For several days I have heard their plaintive cry in the woods. Today I was treated to the sight of them. Two adults and two juveniles. The adults sat on our old wooden fence calling to their offspring. I suspect it was a parenting thing...the adults trying to convence the young ones to come out and hunt for their own food. And like most teenagers, the kids didn't want to give up the good thing they had going. So they stayed high in the trees. I'll try to keep an eye on them for the next few days, to see who wins.

I hope to get some better close up pictures of them. I love putting the bigger birds of prey in my artwork. Birds like this make good scratchboard subjects. At the present time, Linda and I have an exhibit at The Kentlands Mansion in Gaithersburg, Md. A number of the pieces in that show are of Eagles, Hawks, Owls, and my newest scratchboard of a Peregrine Falcon. Stop by and see it if you are in the area. It's there till the end of July.
Marilu

Meaning of Life Video

2011-06-26T08:01:00.000-07:00

Saw this some time ago on FB and while tring to figure out if I have correctly upgraded groups on FB I ran across it again. It is a YouTube Video so here is the link we shall see if it works...
http://youtu.be/aNN1VKeS61g

http://youtu.be/aNN1VKeS61g.com

Thought I would see if the .com made a difference...

Silver Linings

2011-06-25T06:53:00.000-07:00

Lots of changes are going on this year. I keep looking for the silver lining. Currently back in AZ with a week of 109 degrees. Thought the hummingbirds had gone away because it was just too hot for them. But, saw them back this morning enjoying the cactus fruit along with many of the other birds. Might try to put the feeder back out. The sugar water had spilled onto the glass table top and baked to a hard lollipop state. Took a bit of soaking to get that off.
The morning is nice, I can still sit outside with my coffee and watch as the sun plays along the edges of the cactus, the eucalyptus tree and near by buildings. The shadows always intrigue me, patterns of leaves against the light bark.
The saguaro cactus has been interesting seeing the last white flowers, the fruit literally bursts open and the birds just love it. After the birds have finished the fruits drop to the ground. The saguaro flower opens at night and can remain open throughout the day. The lesser long nosed bat comes in the evening to feed off it's nectar, the birds and bees take over during the day. But, the fruit, lush and red seems to be their silver lining, their dessert. It has given me reasons to be up and out early in the morning. Since it gets to so very hot by mid day, everyone is out walking, running, riding, or writing on their computer at 5:00 a.m.
As with everything in life we learn to adapt to life changes, locations, climates, or situations.

Saguaro Cactus Flower, blooms in June

Cactus fruit for breakfast

How do you keep your tail feathers from getting stuck - very carefully

'And what is so rare as a day in June?' Lowell

2011-06-21T08:30:00.000-07:00

A rare day in June indeed. Sun is shining but so far the temperatures are on the cool side. That will probably change before long.

The hummingbirds are doing their best Luke Skywalker impressions today. Darting and dive bombing each other like seasoned Jedi. There are three of them and three feeders....wouldn't you think they could figure that out? But there they are...chirping their threats, flaring their tail feathers and doing their best to look fierce! It's just not working....they are still adorable.

There are does browsing the woods with new born fawns tucked away in the tall grasses. I've seen racoons and foxes lately. Spring and early summer is a great time for spotting our resident wildlife. A nice thing to do on a rare June day....
Marilu

Box Turtle/Tortoise is back

2011-06-06T06:31:00.000-07:00

We have a family of Box Turtles that come up each year. We are thrilled to see them checking out the location in our backyard to which they will again lay their eggs. The babies hatch late summer, we have seen these tiny little guys come out from under our ferns or tall grasses. They are about an inch in size, we feel very lucky to see the babies most years.

The Box Turtle or Eastern Box Turtle is common along the whole east coast, the other half of the country has the Western Box Turtle. But, the proper term is not turtle for these guys they should be called Box Tortoise according to the scientific information, tortoises have webbed feet or claws, live entirely above water and don't migrate. They go to water to bath or drink. Where a tutle has flippers and lives in the sea, fresh water or marshes. The terrapin is semi-aquatic, the Diamondback Terrapin is the state reptile of MD. The box turtle/terrapin are close relatives.

That's it for knowledge of turtle vs. tortoise. I just get great joy each year in seeing our Box Turtles return.

King of the tree tops

2011-06-05T04:59:00.000-07:00

Sunday morning, a little bit of rain here and there, cool morning but not cold and the hummingbirds are out having a field day. Tag, relay race, hide and seek. They are amazing to watch, they fly to the top of the dogwood to watch, then come speeding down to run off the other hummingbirds that come to their feeder. There are two that have this relay game, one flies into the mountain laurel, the other to the feeder, they switch places and at one point they both ended up in the mountain laurel, looked at each other and took off in opposite directions.

While all that is going on there is a third hummingbird who hovers closer to the ground, hiding in the tall grasses so the others do not see him (looks like a young male). Working his way up to the top of the grasses then shooting over to the feeder. Just makes me smile, they are so funny.

Bears Back

2011-06-03T07:44:00.000-07:00

It has been a year since I had seen the black bears in our woods or so I thought. Last week I thought I saw the bear way up in the woods. But, since no one has seen them, it must be just the shadows in the woods.

Until yesterday when my neighbors just down the hill have seen a black bear trying to get to one of their bird feeders. Making 3 attemps but no luck yet. They are smart and determined it will be interesting to see when and how this young black bear reaches the goal of the bird seed. Here is the picture they got of the bear.

Strawberries, deer, ducks & groundhogs

2011-05-29T04:16:00.000-07:00

I discovered the deer that walk through my backyard each day like strawberries. I had brought back some plants from the new house in Blacksburg. Transplanted them to hanging baskets. They were doing fine, strawberries nice and red. I come out the other morning to find the one basket the deer usually don't brother had no leaves and no strawberry just a few green stems sticking out. One plant down two to go.

As I was driving into Downtown Frederick I like to drive by Baker Park. The lake always as ducks in, near, around it and they like to cross the street to get to the other side. They are very use to cars and often go right up to the four way stop to cross the street there. It makes you smile as you sit in your car waiting for a line of ducks to cross the street.

And to end the day along Rocky Springs Road were two groundhogs trying to cross the road but as two cars were coming in different directions. They opted to back up, doing what looked like a groundhog version of the moonwalk dance step. It was the kind of thing that made you laugh out loud. I don't think I have ever seen a groundhog just come to a stop and go in reverse.

This morning is misty you can tell the heat is on it's way. As I sit with my morning coffee and listen to the birds I am enjoying the mountain laurel which is as full as I think I have every seen it. I am hoping to do a bit of plein air painting in pastel before all this beauty escapes me.

Hummingbirds and Mountain Laurel

2011-05-27T04:32:00.000-07:00

The Mountain Laurel are in full bloom. They were a bit late blooming this spring, wetter and cooler then the last few years. The hummingbirds love to sit in the Mountain Laurel. It is their little hiding place. They come to the feeder, then go sit on the branch in a small open area of the Mountain Laurel. Then if another hummingbird happens by they have an advantage and can zoom out of their cover to run them off. They are amazing little warriors.

This all happens so fast it is near impossible to get a good photo. But, I will keep trying until then I will take pictures of the Mountain Laurel which in itself is beautiful. There is one section that is much pinker then the others. The root system of wild laurel is interconnected making them very difficult to transplant. Why this one cluster is so pink compared to the others I do not know. But, they are just lovely. My favorite time of the day is morning as the sun is creeping through the trees. I sit with my coffee, my cats, the hummingbirds and watch the sun sparkle on the leaves and bark. No better way to start my day.

white wild mountain laurel

hummingbird scratchboard by Marilu

pinker mountain laurel

re:Mountain Laurel Art Show

2011-05-21T06:29:00.000-07:00

All it took was a little sunshine and the Mountain Laurel are just blooming away. Just in time for the art show this week.

Here is a link to The Arts Map, which will give you details and directions: http://www.theartsmap.com/detail.php?id=8075

Mountain Laurel Art Show on The Arts Map

2011-05-19T04:24:00.000-07:00

Mountain Laurel Art Show on The Arts Map

2011-05-16T07:03:00.000-07:00

Mountain Laurel Art Show on The Arts Map

The Long Way Home

2011-05-10T04:41:00.000-07:00

I needed to take a ride out to Main Street, Burkittsville to check on the location of the South Mountain Hertiage Society. I will be teaching a plein air workshop June 4th & 5th and wanted to see different places that would make nice paintings. There are many, the building itself is an old church that was used as a hospital in 1862. To the back of the church is a graveyard, over the hill farm land and fields, barns, buildings, rolling mountains, sycamore trees and lots of charm.

I drove down from the church, there is a apple orchard. In the opposite direction is Gathland State Park, Appalachian Trail, old structures, buildings, picnic areas, gardens, flowers (lady slippers were spotted) and of course lots of trees.

My plan is to paint on that Sunday Morning at the church, go the park for lunch and paint there in the afternoon. I sat at the park long enough to do a small watercolor painting. What a great afternoon. I continued exploring and came on another Main Street, drove through there came out on a major road and started heading back towards Middletown, where I ended up on another Main Street. As I was heading back home I decided to turn up Gambrill Park Road, up and over the mountain, finally finding Humburg Road, which is small, with lots of twists and turns. I pulled off on the side to sit by a flowing creek. The sound was very relaxing and the prefect way to end my day.

Burkittsville, MD

Gathland State Park

Humburg Road, Frederick, MD

Hummingbirds

2011-05-08T08:39:00.000-07:00

The hummingbirds are back. They let me know they are here by coming to the window of what ever room I am in, hovering there so that I know it is time to put the feeders back out. Hummingbirds are very territorial and amazing little warriors. They run other hummingbirds off and stand guard waiting in the Mountain Laurel Trees to run any invaders away.

Each year I learn something new about hummingbirds. The first year they found the feeder they not sit, they would take a quick drink and fly away. The second year they were more comfortable and stayed awhile. The next few years they started landing on top of the feeder or in the mountain laurel and just sitting there.

They come in the morning and in the evening, some during the day but always a.m. and p.m. I love sitting outside with my coffee and watching as they return each day. There is a family unit that comes regularly, and as of last year an invader, a darker male, his green is so dark it looks black. The other birds are not happy that he wants to share their space.

Hummingbirds are very vocal, they make a lot of noise for something so small. I have only heard a hummingbird sit and sing one time. He was all alone, sitting on the feeder and making a little chirping sound, not all that pretty compared to some birds but it was another of those first for me to witness.

May we all have those wonderful hummingbird experiences on Mother's Day.

Hummingbird - Tucson, AZ

lindahp5536's photostream

2011-05-03T08:54:00.001-07:00

lindahp5536's photostream on Flickr.

Mountain Laurel Art Show 2011

Pink Snow

2011-05-03T08:07:00.000-07:00

Driving around after the wind and rain it looks like pink snow under the trees. The cherry blossoms are spread out under the trees like a blanket. The dogwoods are blooming, white, soft pink and bright pink. The leaves are coming in bigger each day filling in the spaces in-between the trees in the woods. My pink rhododendron are blooming again, they are different from others I have in the yard as they will bloom all year long. If there is a warm tread during the winter they will bloom. They must like where they live.

I took a walk down my road with my neighbor to see lady slippers starting to bloom. I may take a walk again to take a few more photos, they were lovely. These are the moments that nature touches me, the soft pinks, the lovely curve of the lady slipper, spring green of the leaves and just never knowing when it is going to rain.

I think I might try to do a drawing of the lady slipper...maybe just take my drawing stool, paper and pastels and head down there this afternoon when the light changes. If it doesn't rain...

lady slipper

dogwood

Cheaper By The Dozen...

2011-04-26T17:08:00.000-07:00

I love the evening light as it disappears behind the mountains. The trees glow from back lighting, the air cools down and the animals start to come out for their evening meal. As I sat outside listening to the sounds of the woods, trees frogs and other critters making their noises I start seeing the white tails of the deer bouncing around. I see 5 - 2 adults - 1 yearling - 2 babes that have barley lost their spots. They must have been born this winter. Another 2 follow not far behind and up the hill I see 5 more. They are starting to find a spot to settle down for the evening. I often see the deer sleeping just up the hill from my house. They know the areas that are safe and apparently my back yard is one of them.

Over the years I am learning to garden according to what deer do not care for which can vary from herd to herd. My deer often eat deer proof plants. We try to live together and respect each others space. They stand and look at me wondering am I friend or foe. The bucks will stomp as though I am going to run away. When they discover this is my territory they turn and move on sometimes with a snort or two.

Blue and Yellow

2011-04-15T07:52:00.000-07:00

The long awaited Spring is here!! After the last couple weeks of crazy weather - chilly rain, wind, one night of snow showers and one 83 degree day - today is beautiful...68 degrees, sunshine, calm breeze...yes, it's finally a proper Spring day.
For several months our woods have been shades of brown and gray. Now there are patches of yellow, white and pink as some of the native trees and bushes begin to bloom. And along with that - here it comes - the thorn in my artistic side - GREEN. Don't misunderstand, I'm trying to embrace green. I recycle and my car is not only green in color, it's a hybrid. But whether it be tube or pencil, in my work a convincing green more often than not eludes me. Mixing the 'just right' green is a learned skill. To those of us who are not colorists, it doesn't come easy. It's either garrish or dull, or the whole thing turns to 'mud'. Maybe that's why I do so much in Scratchboard - black and white - hard to go wrong there.
But I recently bought a dozen tubes of watercolor, three of them various shades of green, and I'm determined to get out there and paint. And I'm going to do it soon....before there is too much green.
Marilu

Changes are coming

2011-04-14T14:27:00.000-07:00

"Its these changes in latitudes, changes in attitudes
Nothing remains quite the same
With all of our running and all of our cunning
If we couldn't laught we would all go insane."
Jimmy Buffett

Spring a time for change and lots of changes there are: Crossing the country a lot this year, VA - MD - AZ trying to keep the art going is a bit of a challenge. Art shows are filling up the spaces in between doing the art and travel.

Coming up April 16th is the opening reception for the AZ Pastel Society Juried Show at the Art Center in Sedona, Art Barn Road near Hwy 89A. Plan to be at the gallery on April 19th too doing a demonstration of soft pastel on paper. The show runs through April 28th 10:00 - 5:00. Check the web site for more details. http://www.lindaharrisonparsons.com/

Once this show is over we hit the ground running to get things ready for the last Mountain Laurel Art Show in Frederick, MD. May 20-21-22 we will have returning artists: Marilu Tousignaut and her daughters Denise & Tracy, Homer Yost, Sarah Simpson and new this year Cindi Olson with her glass jewelry. Hosting this event Wild at heART Artist: linda harrison-parsons. It is a fun show, the mountain laurel will be blooming in the woodlands of Frederick. The artwork is set up throughout this post and beam studio, gallery space. Featuring sculpture, photography, scratchboard, works on paper, fiber arts and jewelry.

After this show Marilu & I will hang a show at the Kentlands Mansion Gallery, Gaithersburg, MD opening June 7th from 7:00 - 8:30 This show runs through July 31st.

If you are looking to do some plein air painting June 4 & 5th The Frederick Historic Society is offering a workshop. With rain dates on the 11 & 12th. All the details are on the web site and we will post their web site on the blog.

Common Ground on The Hill, a 2 week event with music, visual arts, lectures, more music, art exhibits, art workshops and more music. You can come for the 2 weeks, 1 week, stay there, travel in each day, take one or many workshops and you can get academic credit too. July 3 - July 15th.

Lots going on, lots of events, lots of changes keep checking back and checking the web site as more shows and workshops will be posted.

Now go take a walk and breathe in some spring air.

Butterflies

2011-04-05T17:26:00.000-07:00

"Won't you come into the garden? I would like my roses to see you." Richard Brinsley Sheridan

I believe this is a Queen

Luna Moth

Buckeye

The end of the show on Sunday I had a few minutes before the Butterfly House would close. I do not need another photograph of a butterfly but I will forever keep taking them. There is something very relaxing about being around butterflies. They will land on you in hopes you are a flower. They bring a calm to the end of a very busy weekend.

Ready, Set, Go

2011-04-03T10:24:00.000-07:00

"There was a child went forth every day,
And the first object he look'd upon, that object he became,
And that object became part of him for the day, or a certain part of the day,
Or for many years or stretching cycles of years.

The early lilacs became part of this child,
And grass and white and red morning-glories, and white and red clover, and
the song of the phoebe-bird,
And the Third-month lambs and the sow's pink-faint litter, and the mare's
foal and the cow's calf,
And the noisy brood of the barnyard or by the mire of the pond-side,
And the fish suspending themselves so curiously below there, and the
beautiful curious liquid,
And the water-plants with their graceful flat heads, all became part of him." - Walt Whitman

"The kernel of creativity, is there in the infant: the desire and drive to explore, to find out about things, to try things out, to experiment with different ways of handling things and looking at things."...Dr. Teresa Amabile quoted from the book: "The Creative Spirit" see the book listings below for author & publishing information.

I have started re-reading "The Creative Spirit" and it is helping to make me push myself and my art. Yesterday, I did my first "Quick Draw" I kept referring to it as a "Quick Fire". You must set up, paint/draw and frame your work in about one hour. You have the hour to do the actual drawing or painting. It was fun and intense at the same time. I did this to try something new, my goal is to do something new at least once a year, something out of my comfort zone. I do not work fast, in signing up to do the "Quick Draw" I had to focus and not stress over details but just look at the overall composition, the flow, the color and in the last 15 minutes allow myself to do a little of the detail work. It was a challenge and it was fun. Part of working plein air is being able to talk with people and continue to work, the same but even more so with the "Quick Draw".

The event took place at the Botanical Gardens during the Succulent Show & Sale. Artists were allow to select a succulent plant from the exhibit, set up while the show was going on and work within that hour. I found a beautiful aloe plant called: Aloe-Dorothea. It had beautiful colors, orange-red, yellow-green and dark blue-greens. The shape was elegant star type pattern. As I was working the owner of the plant came up behind me and immediately wanted the piece. I told her what the event was about and at the end showed her the pastel painting finished and framed. She purchased the piece and allowed it to stay for the rest of the show. There is another "Quick Draw" today and all of the works will be on display. It was good to push myself to try and get into that moment when you are doing something with passion and joy. It was a good day.

Aloe-Dorthea

Time and time again

2011-04-02T09:49:00.000-07:00

"If we did all the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves." Thomas A. Edison

Spring goes right into summer in AZ. Yesterday hit the first 100 degree day! I got to experience it first hand at the opening of the plein air exhibit for the Scottsdale Artists League show at the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix, AZ. It was a long hot day and a beautiful show is up for the weekend. Along with our show is a show & sale of succulent plants at the Gardens. Today will be a "Quick Draw" where the artists will go draw one of these plants in 1 hour. I signed myself up for this event as I tend not to work fast and since this has been the year to try and push myself to do more things I am going for it. We shall see what comes from this adventure.

One of the pieces I have hanging in the plein air show is the cottonwood tree. I started this piece back in 2009, all of the work on it has been done on site. I would take the piece back to the "people & places trail" at the DBG and work on it for a few hours here and there. I framed it at one point and it was not right. I took it apart and continued to work on it on location. When is a piece done? Sometimes we never know or maybe it is done when it is sold. I still think I may need to work on one corner a little more but for now it is framed and in the show. If it sells I guess it is done, if not, I do believe I will take it back one more time to finish up a few extra cottonwood leaves in the background. Sometimes we are meant to return to a place or a painting time and time again. It may be the same piece or just doing several pieces as a series.

Sounds of the Cottonnwood

A little shade goes a long way.

Scottsdale Artists League Plein Air Show at the Desert Botanical Gardens

Art in the Garden

2011-03-30T09:47:00.000-07:00

"I walk the world in wonder." Oscar Wilde

Working on the finishing touches of the pieces from this months plein air event. Framed most of them, might get the last one done but depends on if I get back to the Botanical Gardens before Friday. I started a small mountain scene with the moon still up and the cactus and palo verde coming down the side. Still struggle with the landscape feel of the piece. My focus becomes more on the rocks. We shall see where this one goes.

The show at the Desert Botanical Gardens will be hung this Friday and will be on view through Sunday evening. It is going to be a hot weekend, breaking into the high 90's. The question most people have this time of year is when will they see the first of the 100 degree days? And then it is usually followed by but it's a dry heat.

I would like to paint more at the gardens but would need to be there early morning before the heat comes in for the day. Being in the desert it cools down at night and slowly builds so that the hottest part of the day is around 4:00 pm. The mountain scene is very little shade. Most of the pieces I did this past month I was able to find little spots in the shade. I did a series of agave studies. The agave best known for the production of tequila can vary in color and size. I still need to research the different names of each of these species. I know one is the Century Agave. They have wonderful turns but they have spikes along each section. In most of the plants in the S/W those spikes are a leaf that has adapted over time to the heat conditions. I am not sure if that is true of the agave or not. The large sections that I would call leaves are thick and hard, there is no give to them. They flow as if they are soft but they have a weight and solidness to them.

I enjoy working in a series, it gives me time to see things I might have missed on the first work. I become more award of the colors and patterns in the piece. I sometimes just come back to the same place over and over again. More on that tomorrow...

Agave 3 of 3 studies

Agave 1 of 3 studies

Century Agave 2 of 3 studies

Change

2011-03-24T11:03:00.000-07:00

"If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. Don't complain - Maya Angelou

The word "change" has been coming up a lot this week. I tend to pay attention when I see the same word, number or symbol appear over and over again. Yesterday, I was at the AZ Arts Alliance Gallery and at the sale counter there is a small book that was for gallery use. It is called, "Who Move My Cheese" by Spencer Johnson, M.D.

It is in 3 sections a introduction, a story and discussion. I am at the story part, a story of mice in a maze finding their cheese. It is about change and how we deal with change. There is always change in our life, some we see as good, some we see as bad but we can not stop change and the biggest challenge is learning to deal with it and make it work for you.

Now what does this have to do with art? Have you ever had a piece you are working on and it just is not going the direction you thought it would go? What do you do with it? At times I have put works away sometimes for up to a year. Pull them back out and with fresh eyes see that maybe it was not as bad as I had thought and just finish the piece in a short time. Or keep pushing the piece to see where it will go. If all else fails I can shred the piece up and re-pulp it into another piece of paper. If you work on canvas cotton or linen you could maybe make paper out of it too. I have made paper from blue jeans, all cotton so you never know where that change may take you.

I recently pushed through a piece I started at the Botanical Gardens. I was using watercolor paper that was coffee stained. Thought this could make a nice graphite drawing. I used HB pencil to start too dark, so went to H still too dark. Why wasn't this working??? Took it home took the eraser to it and lighted it up. Still could not make it work, pulled out the pastels and just worked the whole thing over in color. It needed color. The coffee stain part is not really visible except for some odd shading areas but at least it has pulled it together.

Change, I had to let go of one idea and move on to another. Just like in life, sometimes I need to remember to let go of something and focus on what is new and in front of me. Work on the new possibilities that are being presented to me and opening that door. Now to take all my courage and go out that door to see what new adventures are waiting for me and my art.

history

2011-03-22T18:46:00.000-07:00

Respect: a little thing that can do so much. Respect of nature, keeping our national parks safe and around for many years so others may continue to enjoy them. I just re-read a couple of articles in National Parks Magazine and wanted to pass on some of the links that they offered.

There are app's for everything. National Parks Conservations Association (NPCA) partnered with http://www.enature.com/ to create an app called "National Parks Field Guides" which can be used for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch with others to come. This app will give you information when you are in national parks on the plants, birdsongs, or animals that are in that park.

For those of us with less techno info you can also check out www.nwf.org/birds or just check http://www.nwf.org/ for general wildlife information.

There is also a site www.beoutthere.org/MONA that has a bill to help connect children with the natural world, getting back outside.

Theodore Roosevelt, established 5 national parks. He is part of The Conservation Hall of Fame in VA. Check http://www.nwf.org/ for more information on programs and naturalists that have inspired parks and preserves.

Marilu drawing the bears at Brooks River Falls, Katmai, Alaska

Linda at Cathedral National Park, Sedona, AZ by large Cottonwood

Acadia National Park

Rainy Days

2011-03-21T17:45:00.000-07:00

It is not April yet but the showers are here early or late. Usually there is more rain in Jan. & Feb. in AZ which brings the wildflowers. This year not as much rain and not as many wildflowers but lots of things still bloom at this time of year. Fruit trees have new flowers on them. Saw a grapefruit tree yesterday and they are so sweet the air is filled with the smell from the small white flower.

Another plant that bloomed earlier then I remember from last year is the Texas Mountain Laurel. It has a large cluster of purple flowers. Not at all like the wild mountain laurel that grows on the east coast.

wild mountain laurel with hummingbird pastel by linda hp

Texas Mountain Laurel

Now to the rainy day. Did not feel like going out in the rain so it became my PR day. The business end of art. Posting listings on as many sites as I can find for the shows that are coming up later this spring. Finding that so many things link together it makes it interesting trying to remember what you put where and how they all connect together. I have always believed that everything is connect and we need to take care of the earth for her to take care of us. Technology seems to be reinforcing that concept. Let us know if one of our connects brought you to the Mountain Laurel Art Show this year. It will be held May 20, 21, & 22nd. Check the link below this post to find out more about this show.

Mountain Laurel Art Show on The Arts Map

2011-03-21T17:25:00.000-07:00

Mountain Laurel Art Show on The Arts Map

Spring

2011-03-19T07:16:00.000-07:00

"There is no season such delight can bring as summer, autumn, winter and the spring." William Browne

Winters are mild in AZ but there is still the coming of spring. The wildflowers bloom, the butterflies and hummingbirds are everywhere. New nests are being built.

Marilu sent me the new link to the eagle cam. The National Conservation Training Center in Sheperdstown, WV has a pair of eagles that have been sharing their life with us for a number of years. We have watched as they have had babies and admire their parenting. If you have never seen a eagles nest you need to put it on your list of to do's.

Here is the link to take a look, there is a new baby. http://outdoorchannel.com/conservation/eaglecam.aspx

Looking and seeing

2011-03-17T13:21:00.000-07:00

"In art the hand can never execute anything higher than the heart can inspire." Ralph Waldo Emerson

There are times when you look but can not see and your hand wants to draw what it thinks it sees. Some times we let our brain get in the way of our art. Marilu & I were e-mailing about getting started on new projects. We both have done this: if you wear glasses take them off and look at what ever you are planning to draw/paint. It is most likely out of focus, at least it is for me and for Marilu. By doing this you need to look at the big shapes. This works great for plein air painting. Once you get the big shapes in you can see the shadows without worrying about all the details. Block the shadows in, once that is done put those glasses back on and see what you have done. If you have great vision you can close those eyes a bit and put on some sun glasses to bring out contrast.

These are just ways of helping you look at things differently, to let yourself create with your heart, your hand and let your brain take in the beauty around you. I like to think of it as a kind of meditation. If I just allow myself to look at what I see and not worry about the rest of the world my soul is the better for it and maybe my art.

Tonto National Forest

2011-03-14T21:43:00.000-07:00

" The words "peace" and "tranquillity" are worth a thousand pieces of gold. " Chinese Proverb

Some places are worth going back to over and over again. This past weekend I went back to the Tonto National Forest. The Lower Salt River, Salt River and lakes connect along this mountainous range. There is something about this area that I found meditative. In the early morning you can see bald eagles that nest along the river. Turkey vultures live in this same area. Red Shoulder Hawks, Harris Hawks, sit in the tops of trees along with hummingbirds an interesting contrast. You can easily hike down to the river but the view from the ridge is just as beautiful.

I did two small pastels of the rock formations. I struggle with large expansive landscapes. I have found that I can focus in on rock forms treating them in a abstract style. Toning the paper with warm and cool colors, working in a line drawing, blocking in the shadows before they change and then adding some details. It is a departure of the work I do drawing animals defining each feather or stroke of fur.

Working en plein air is my way of finding peace and tranquillity.

Mountains

2011-03-13T14:48:00.000-07:00

"Have patience. Everything is difficult before it is easy." Saadi

Some days are easier then others. Some days my hand will create works that I look back at and wonder how did I do that? Even in the same day things can go from looking good to what happened? That was my Saturday. I was plein air painting at the Desert Botanical Gardens. Started with a pastel of a Century Agave which looks pretty good. The light had changed, I decided to take a break and start something new. Tried a little pencil sketch on coffee stained paper. For some reasons I could not get into the flow. It was a small grouping of cactus usually I draw too light but for some reason it just looked too dark to me. Working out in the bright sun you will work with more intense colors and push the shadows. When you come inside you realize that it is too bright, intense or dark. My problem was the opposite, I switched to a "H" pencil and still could not get the gradation I wanted. Once this happens it is best to put it down, leave it along and come back to it another day. Packed up my equipment and headed over to the Butterfly House. A nice peaceful way to end the day.

Seeing with fresh eyes...

2011-03-06T10:18:00.000-08:00

"Education consists mainly of what we have unlearned." Mark Twain

This week I have been reminded of things I have learned and have tucked back in memory. It is a good thing for a teacher, artist to take a workshop and once again become the student. I gained much from this week of plein air painting with the group from the AZ Pastel Artists Association. I am working with color in a better relationship, thinking of cool and warm combinations. Dealing with how I do landscapes, viewing them closer then most people think of landscape or plein air painting. Seeing the details but also letting them go, playing with the quality of line work allowing the line to sometimes just go where it may. Playing with using under painting. Richard Mckinley demonstrated the use of watercolor in under painting for pastels. But talked of using oil paints, using water, alcohol to spray into the paint for effects. I choose to use pastels as my under painting, pushing the idea of blending warm and cool colors together and compliments of what would be the finished work.

Thursday we spent the day painting at the Tonto National Forest, wonderful day. Finished up the workshop Friday. Saturday started the month long plein air event at the Desert Botanical Gardens. Each Saturday in March the artists from the Scottsdale Artists League work in the gardens from 9 am till around 4 pm. Will post more on this tomorrow.

Spring in AZ great place to work! Here are a couple of Richard McKinley's under paintings and finished works in pastel.

Notan

2011-03-02T07:35:00.000-08:00

Notan - this word has come up a lot this week. In the pastel workshop I am taking and last night a different artist talked about Notan in his painting. This is a Japanese word that translated means "Visual Poetry". In more artistic discussion it talks about the relationships of light to dark. Using the light to make something dark and vise versa. Notan is not about accuracy, it is looking at the whole picture and what I try to do is look with innocence. Look at what it is you are drawing or painting don't allow your head to do the drawing. Let your eyes and your hand do the work. Draw what is there but also make it your own. You have the choice to leave things out. Look at the space around the object in front of you.

Day 3 of workshop today heading to Lost Dog Trail. I have hiked there before, we will be in the field all day. More on Tricks & Techniques tomorrow or tonight! I will leave you with a bit of visual poetry.

Breaking Rules

2011-03-01T06:25:00.000-08:00

"You have to know the rules in order to break the rules" not sure who said this or if it even matters but this line has been coming up for the last couple of weeks. I am taking a plein air pastel workshop this week with Richard McKinley here in Scottsdale, AZ. Full day yesterday with lots of refreshers, things that we knew but just tuck back in our memories. Reminders on color, value, composition and how the eye sees these things. Richard discussed simultaneous contrast, how a color can look cooler or warmer, darker or lighter depending on what it is next too. This not only applies to art but to everyday art, your house walls, the cloths you wear anything really. It was a morning filled with learning the rules.

The afternoon was spent watching a demo en plein air and then working ourselves. Richard reminded us of doing a 4 value study, the white/light of the paper is one value, then 3 shades of gray. I get away from doing this and need to include it in my daily practice. Once the composition and values were established, Richard began a color demo. He has a lot of passion when he speaks of art and is working. Watching him work I felt I could see where some of the rules were being bent if not broken. I watched as he introduced color and texture to his work. A touch of high contrast green here and there, which I did not see but it worked in the piece. One of the other things Richard focused on was serendipity, that sometimes you just need the work take you where it wants to go. You just go with your feelings and instincts about the piece. Sometimes that is where the rules get broken.

Guess we will see what rules we can break today.
Check out Richards blog in the Pastel Journal. http://pastelpointersblog.artistsnetwork.com/

on the road

2011-02-24T20:02:00.000-08:00

"use everything in your life to create your art..." ya-ya's

I spent the last week back east between MD & VA. The weather worked out for me in all my traveling around, missed the snow in MD. Warm days in VA, went for a hike and remembered why I love walking in the woods. As my husband & I hike around Pandapas Pond in Jeffereson National Forest we took a side path. It kept getting thicker and thicker with wild rhododendron. I kept thinking how I would like to be back there when it is in flower. Along the edge was a small creek with wonderful exposed roots. I plan to go back, sit along that creek area and do some drawing.

Saw some interesting ducks on the pond, will have to do a bit of research to find out there name. The body was more like a swan and they swan as if they were running in the water. One of the trees along our walk had scratch marks, my guess, black bear and a pretty good size one. Each year I try to find new places to hike and new things to draw.

Back in AZ I am getting ready for a plein air workshop. This one I am taking, not teaching. It is always good to take a workshop that pushes you to try something new. Plus, will be going to locations a bit north of the area I tend to hike and paint. The AZ Arts Alliance is hanging their spring show on March 1st plus the juried show for the 250th Veterinary Medicine Celebration. Both shows open March 5th. The Scottsdale Artists League begins their 16th year having a paint out at the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix. This will be my 3rd year participating. This next week is going to be very busy, looking forward to being outside, working and hoping to get into that zone where you think of nothing but what you are creating.

I will post pictures from the workshop and receptions. For now here are a few pictures from Blacksburg, VA

Memories of Alaska

2011-02-20T18:00:00.000-08:00

Going over some pictures, playing with new programs and came across this little video of the bears at Katmai. This trip inspired much art work, enough to have a show with nothing but works inspired by Alaska wildlife.

passion

2011-02-15T12:17:00.000-08:00

"Art is a passion or it is nothing" Robert Fry
"Art must be an expression of love or it is nothing" Marc Chagall

With love in the air, thought these quotes worked well for this week. Very close in thought. Lately, there has been much talk about having passion for what you do. I have always felt that each person has their own personal artistic talent. It does not have to be something you create and put in a gallery. Each person must find their own passion and see where it takes them.

My passion has put me in touch with the environment, nature. It has taken me to new places, gets me outside and helps me to take a moment to just breath. We follow our passion, taking what we see, creating our work in our style, sharing it with you and hoping you will enjoy the work of our passion.

Just for fun, I signed up to do a project using one color - I picked red as it is taking me out of my comfort zone. My first choice was blue but thought if I am going to do this let me push myself. I decide since I am in AZ I should do red rocks. Here is the pastel that came out of this little challenge.

Sometimes you have to re-invent yourself....

2011-02-14T10:52:00.000-08:00

Last week I spent four days at a cabin in the West Virginia woods - along with a few friends/artists/writers. It's an annual event for us. A time of renewal and reenergizing. I've had a tough time getting inspired this winter, even though my favorite subjects to draw are the skeletal branches that the trees display this time of year. I can lay in bed in the early morning and watch them materialize as the sky lightens up for the day. Why I've had trouble finding the 'just right' image this year, I don't know. But, the four days of no cell phones, no TV, no internet and no interruptions helped. I did some pencil and pastel sketches, and played with some new tubes of watercolor. It's good occassionaly to free yourself up with no real expectations of 'finished' art. Now that I'm back in the studio I'm working on some new scratchboards. So I feel I've finally found and fed my Muse.

en plein air

2011-02-13T19:51:00.000-08:00

"Those who dwell among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life." Rachel Carson

Saturday was spent outside, I went to the Gateway Trail head in the Sonoran Desert. I set up my easel and painted in pastels. There were lots of artists there painting along the trails. It was a wonderful way to spend the day. The painting so-so, sometimes it is enough just to do the work and let it go. I do not think of myself as a landscape painter. I find it hard to bring all those things I see into a small format. I believe that is one reason I zoom in on the details, finding that cluster of leaves, that tree branch, the bird in a nest, the small things. But, saying that I will continue to work on the larger view, working looser and faster. It is my artistic exercise.

procrastination

2011-02-11T08:14:00.000-08:00

"In art the hand can never execute anything higher than the heart can inspire." Ralph Waldo Emerson

Sometimes before I can get into the flow of a piece I am working on or a piece I am just thinking about. I, like so many artists procrastinate. I find other things to do: organize, clean and bake. Once I get passed the baking stage I am usually good to go. Being in AZ with the wonderful clear blue skies and warmer temp's it helps to fight off the winter grey day feelings. Going outside and breathing in the air pushes me to work.

This is the high season in AZ, art shows and events everywhere. This weekend I signed up for a plein air event the Sonoran Desert Parks & Trails is celebrating a big anniversary. They have ask artists to come out and work along the Gateway Trailhead. No charge to the artist, calling for a lovely day and by committing myself to a project it makes me get out there and work.

I need deadlines, I need a reason to make myself work, sometimes. There are those moments when you create just because it is what you need to do or want to do. I always have ideas, just need to reel them in at times. My focus is finally after many years come down to animals, trees, leaves and things in nature. Pastel has been my main medium of choice but still like to play with other materials. While in AZ I stay with pastels, they are easy to transport for plein air and to work with in the condo.

This month is preparation month, finishing framing, finishing half done pieces, sending in applications, getting ready for workshops, plein air weekends and shows. Procrastinating ends today, yesterday I baked today I work! Maybe, I will take the owl I am working on outside, now that the winds have gone away.

Rio Grand Gorge, N.M.

Lost Dog Trail, Scottsdale, AZ

if a tree falls...

2011-02-09T17:33:00.000-08:00

"Painting is just another way of keeping a diary." Pablo Picasso

Working on another snowy owl pastel. This one is the whole owl, I had taken photographs of him at a rescue center in Vermont. I wanted him sitting in a tree. What kind of tree? How much of the tree did I want to see, what direction would the branch turn? Things that go through my mind as I am working on the piece. I do not always work out an idea ahead of time, as I become more comfortable with the focus of the piece, the owl. I will start the piece and build it as I go along. Researching the type of tree I wanted and finding reference pictures from my stash kept on the computer.

I decided on a cottonwood, it is found in many locations around the U.S. It is listed under Prairie Riparian Forest: Canopy Trees. In the Peterson Field Guide for Rocky Mountain & Southwest Forests. There are several species names for Cottonwoods: Eastern, Black, Fremont, Plains and Narrowleaf. They need to be near a water source, usually found near rivers. Most of them have a leaf that is heart shaped, the bark is a deep heavy texture. I will focus on the bark for this drawing no leaves. The pictures I took are a Fremont Cottonwood found in the Botanical Gardens, Phoenix, AZ.

Photographs and plein air drawings document moments in time for me, they are my visual diary. They bring back the memory of the day, the place and those people I may have shared the experience.

Southwest

2011-02-04T12:44:00.000-08:00

"Man did not weave the web of life, he is merely a strand in it. What ever he does to the web, he does to himself." Chief Seattle

Working in the Southwest during the winter I am inspired by the difference in the light, the color of the land and the relationship of the people. Last year I was in Tucson watching young people in a horse competition, bringing cattle into the coral in a specific order. Where ever there are horses there are always dogs. As I was taking photographs of our friends daughter I turned to see a cowboy and his dog. The pastel I just finished was inspired by this image. The relationship of a man and his dog. I titled it, "By My Side".

Inspiration

2011-02-02T09:56:00.000-08:00

"The artist is not a different kind of person, but every person is a different kind of artist." Eric Gill (sculpture, print maker - http://www.ericgill.com/)

The last couple of days I have been working on a new pastel. It is close to finished and I hope to have it posted on here by Friday. I have finished two other works recently one is a horse head that I struggled with something was just off. I put it away went on to other projects so that when I came back to it, it was with fresh eyes.
I had taken a photograph of this horse a couple years ago when I was in WY/Idaho teaching a monotype workshop. My husband was with me, as we were driving I told him if he sees horses please pull over I wanted to get some reference photos. No sooner had I said that and we turn down the road with a field of horses. This one horse just stood there looking at me. Those are the moments in nature that bring about the inspiration for art. I have done several drawings of this one horse. It is funny to me, that as a child I drew horses as many young artists do. I moved on to other images, tried different techniques and have come back to horses again.

Each person finds there own creative path, their own medium and inspiration. It may not always be found in paint or pencil but in concept or ideas. I have always believed that we are all artists, we just need to find our individual art form.
To see more horse and animal images go to my web site: http://www.lindaharrisonparsons.com/

Be Gentle

2011-01-27T09:32:00.000-08:00

"Come forth into the light of things. Let nature be your teacher." William Wordsworth

This year I am working to have a gentle state of mind. Not to rush into things but to open my eyes and look a little closer. I like to know the names of the things I see and draw. I do not always know the latin names but I am trying to do more research in that area too. On my walks through the local park I watch the trees as they change. Since the weather is milder in AZ the changes happen very quickly. I have noticed that flower buds are appearing on what looks like Creosote Bushes - (Larrea tridentata) Caltroop Family
On my next walk I will take pictures and pick up some pods along the way. Trying to take a sketch book with me so I can take a few notes and do a few drawings. Till next time, take a walk if you can, or if you are snowed in back east, stay warm and curl up with a favorite book.

Friends

2011-01-23T11:24:00.000-08:00

"Every morning I awake torn between a desire to save the world and an inclination to savor it. This makes it hard to plan the day. But, if we forget to savor the world, what possible reason do we have for saving it? In a way the savoring must come first." - E.White ( via friend Phil Grout)

As we are getting the word out to friends, family & fans they are also bringing thoughts to inspire us. I had just read part of this quote a few days ago, then Phil posted it on FB...I knew I had to put this on the blog. It is a catch-22 we want to do good things for the earth and at the same time enjoy the bounty it gives us. As an artist I have always felt that I document places in order to preserve them. A tree drawing comes to mind, two sycamores that were in Montgomery Village (Gaithersburg, MD) many years ago. They were growing so tall and strong that one over took the other and both were lost. I drew these trees several times over the years, the first was plein air in graphite, later as a tone-paper pastel. I still remember the Sunday mornings, setting up my big drawing board with no one else around. Enjoying the peace, quite and beauty of the space. I could not save the trees but I did savor the moment. Thank you Phil for helping me remember that day.

Phil shared a memory of his own, to view a preview of his book "The First Wood Thrush" go to http://www.facebook.com/l/9331b;www.blurb.com then enter his name in the search it will bring up all the books he has created. If you can not access it through FB try http://www.blurb.com/
Time to go outside, apparently the Santa Anna winds are blowing through AZ.

Mystery Solved

2011-01-22T10:14:00.000-08:00

"There are two ways to live your life. One was though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." - Albert Einstein

The mystery of the pod has been answered. Friend & plant specialist, Carole Bergmann came to the rescue. She sent a link with photos of the tree, the blossom and the pod. There is no doubt it is the same pod, it come from the Bottle Tree found in Australia. In trying to find information on this pod I research North American and Southwest books on trees. I have discovered that many years ago AZ used some trees from Australia in their landscaping. But, as happens so many times we find they are not the best options, always better to go with the local plants and trees.
http://www.delange.org/BottleTree/BottleTree.htm
Thanks Carole

Patience

2011-01-20T12:35:00.000-08:00

"Have patience. Everything is difficult before it is easy." - Saadi

Creating wildlife art work has it's own challenges. I took photographs for several years before I got one that I liked to create a pastel of a Gambel's Quail. The same was true of learning how to create a slide show to include with our new blog. Both are done, the pastel of the quail is include in works on our slide show.

The Gambel's Quail is seen running along the ground, under brush. They have a black top-knot that falls forward. The males have black face and throat. I have not seen a nest with eggs but have read they usually have 10 - 12. Which are light buff colored.

As the season gets warmer, it is easier to spot the birds running around. Once you have discovered an area they live in, sit, wait with camera or sketch book at ready and sooner or later they will come running. But, not for long.

News from the Mid-Atlantic

2011-01-18T16:29:00.001-08:00

January...that just about says it. Snow and sleet fell overnight. Much as I like to walk in the woods - to see what might be scampering around, it didn't happen today. From my window I watched a doe make her way up the hill. It was a staggered gait as she pushed her hooves through the ice with each step. The majority of my nature watching today was to see the birds at the feeders. I filled them all yesterday in anticipation of the storm, and, so the Wren wouldn't sit on the fence post and yell at me as it does when they are empty.

My art work these days consists of sketches of ideas for future works. I have a huge library of reference photos taken on various trips just for these winter days when it's hard to get out and draw or paint 'plein aire'. I'll keep working on them and let you know how it goes. Marilu

A Walk in the Park

2011-01-18T14:27:00.000-08:00

Each year it is always good to find new things to push yourself. This year we are adding a blog about nature and art. Marilu & I are not only friends but we share a passion for art. Our art is that which is influenced by what we see in nature.

I will be posting what I see and what I create from AZ and Marilu will keep up the east coast. We want to record what is going on in nature, trying to be correct with names of animals, plants, and trees as best we know. There will be many times we can not find reference information on something. If anyone knows what we have seen or found and can guide us to that information it will always be welcome.

This leads me to my walk in the park. There is a community park with many different trees, some I have been able to identify, the most common Palo verde, Palo brea, Mesquite, Ironwood, Pines, Acacia, but I can not find the name to this one tree with very large seed pods. I do not think it is native to the area. As it is not listed in any of the books I have gone through. I will start a side post with books that might be of interest and will document where some of the information comes from for these postings current and future.
Here is a picture of the pods:

This was just one of the things I found on the ground during my walks. My reward for getting out and walking the last week was interesting pods, a birds nest and a black and white feather. The nest was on the ground and looked as through it had not been used in some time. It is fairly large, 6 - 7 inches across, very loose construction. I do not think the feather came from the bird that occupied the nest, just a bonus. The warmer weather brings lots of birds to the S/W. Hummingbirds are many, cardinals, grosbeaks, warblers and more. I saw a Yellow-rumped Warbler a few weeks ago, got some nice detailed pictures of him. Not sure when he will work his way into a drawing. Birds have been a strong theme for both Marilu & I this past year. And it looks as though this might continue. Just finished a pastel of a road runner. I think it is time to go take another walk in the park. The weather here has been a bit warmer then the average in the low to mid 70's for the past week.

As we move forward with this new adventure. There will be different photos, posts from both Marilu & I updating you on what is outside our windows. What we see on our hikes in nature. What we find when we travel near or far. Enjoy, go take a walk.