Making the most of scraps: My latest painting

I've just finished this watercolor of 3 chickadees on a crabapple tree. This is the first time I've shown three birds in one painting, and the first time I've done a painting in this kind of proportion - very vertical. This was inspired by two things: attempting to experiment with different approaches to birds and botanical paintings, and not wanting to let a good scrap of paper go to waste. I like the scroll-like appearance of the design. I'll probably use a wider, antiqued frame to add balance to the narrow design.

Not a bad weekend. And an award.

The Glenview Art Fair turned out well. The weather was absolutely terrific. A very good crowd, and as expected, sales weren't fabulous, but all things considered, okay. Art fairs are a mixture of anticipation, dread, exhaustion, anxiety, exhiliration, heavy lifting, dehydration, disappointment and thrill. Those terms are listed in no particular order, but the overall sentiment is positive, or else I wouldn't keep signing up for more. Lately, I've been receiving more awards (Merit Award for this one) and it might have something to do with better framing. There is nothing that enhances original art or a reproduction like good quality framing.
My framed prints are gaining popularity. All you have to do is hang it - instant art!

Deep Purple

This morning glory is the most intensely purple flower I've ever grown. Two years ago I bought three potted plants at a Whole Foods for a bargain price. Yes, a bargain at Whole Foods. I had no idea that this variety would be a vigorous re-seeder. It pops up in gravel paths, lawn, and other gardens on the property. This doesn't bother me, as the new shoots are easily pulled. These blooms are stunning. If you'd like a few, there's plenty to go around.

I'd considering doing a painting of them, but I don't think I can match the color.

"A Garden Party"

As I may have mentioned already, I had to miss the opening of the Garden Party exhibit at The Art Center in Highland Park due to my extreme fear of violent weather. Afterwards, though, I went to view the show on a day without the threat of death by rain. There was much terrific art, and I have to say without a doubt that our Reed-Turner group produced the best botanical art in the show.
Credit goes to The Art Center for quickly responding to my request to compensate me for damaging one of my frames during setup.

At Last, Silence

Finally, the stuff that was sprayed from low-flying helicopters to control the gypsy moth plague seems to have taken effect. After munching and crunching the oak trees while crawling over buildings and people, they are dying in large numbers. It looks like most of the caterpillars won't turn into moths after all. It made for an unpleasant experience to be outside, but like the aliens in War of the Worlds, they are stopped. These critters, along with the emerald ash borer and japanese beetle, along with native species such as deer, are more challenging to a gardener than ever before.

The Latest.

This painting is just finished, "Caladium", a botanical watercolor. I haven't painted a purely botanical work in a long time, possibly years. Usually there's a bird or insect included but this is purely plant. I've painted this plant before, and added them to my garden, but until now they've never flowered. This one is flowering profusely, and it's fascinating. I learned that they are a member of the arum family, like the jack-in-the-pulpit, and the flower has a scent reminiscent of wintergreen- like the Lifesavers!

Here it is:

Inspiration

This is a recent photo of one of my gardens. The Siberian and Bearded Irises are both in bloom. The persistent cool weather is garden-friendly. The current plague of gypsy moth larvae is not. The trees are crackling with the sound of their munching, and they are crawling over buildings and dropping out of the trees onto defenseless humans below. Eeeewww.