The Language of Flowers

Last year, I painted lots of figurative paintings.

The year before, it was vessels.

So far this year, it's all about flowers!

 If I had to guess, it's because of the types of novels I've been enjoying lately.

This "floral bug" bit me while reading Elizabeth Gilbert's 

breathtaking "The Signature of All Things".

I didn't know the "age of botanical exploration" could be so adventurous - or so mystical!

After reading Gilbert's book, I felt so sad that it was over….

 I began seeking more books about flowers - 

a strange tangent, but I wholeheartedly believe in following your muse.

So, "The Language of Flowers" by Vanessa Diffenbaugh was my next read.

Did you know that during the Victorian age, 

people gave flowers to communicate sentiments?

(We are talking more than giving red roses to express love here.)

In the back of Diffenbaugh's book, 

you'll find a dictionary of each flower's meaning - really cool!

"Floral obsessions" are showing up in my sketchbook and on the easel.

This baby is still in progress . . . but I thought I'd still share.

I'll leave you with Elizabeth Gilbert's "book trailer" 

for her beautiful book "The Signature of All Things".  

Enjoy!

Dance With It (ALL).

My art journal is . . . 

a breathing space.

A doodle place.

For swishing paint

and gluing bits and pieces.

It's for color play and daydreaming.

And sometimes a place to let the yucky out.

And to think that lately I'd ALMOST had myself convinced that I should give it up....

that it was taking time away from what "really matters".

I've since come to understand that is exactly the reason why I should NEVER STOP!

D a n c e   w i t h   i t   ( a l l ) !

This Artist's Garden

My fingers are very stiff this morning.

What better way to limber them up than coffee and a couple of stiff bad sketches?

No worries - they'll loosen up.

Looking for four-leaf clovers seems the thing to do in the Merry Month of May.

Or seeking fairies in the wee small places . . .

Spring is in high bloom y'all!

Everything is inspiring me to pull out the ole sketchbook and a few art supplies -

spread 'em all out on a big colorful blanket and just breathe.

Sunrise is no better excuse to test drive the portable art kit I put together this week.

Just room enough for a few bottles of paint, favorite pens, a tiny jar of water, 

a small selection of brushes, a bit of collage pieces, gel medium, gesso, tapes, glue stick, 

scissors, a polka-dot paper "palette" and some water soluble oil pastels.

I'm sure I'll manage to over-stuff it soon, 

completely ignoring my intention of simplifying.

Oh well . . . what's a girl to do in Spring but frolic?

Art journal picnic anyone?

This could last all day!

Friday Field Trips: A Living Desert

Remember the field trips we took in elementary and middle school?

I think they are my most favorite memories of youth.

All week long, we'd look forward to a break from our routine and the chance to get away from the classroom for a while.  I'm sure it led to my insatiable curiosity, love of learning and avid interests in science, art and nature.

These days, I still send myself out on "field trips" . . .

sometimes spending hours or days researching what I'd like to see and learn more about.

I plan where I'll have lunch or a coffee break and I always pack my camera and sketchbook.

I want you to be my "buddy" on some of these field trips, 

so I've launched a new series I call

"Friday Field Trips".

I'll take you along on some of my favorite outings - places like museums, art fairs, hikes or studios.

Who knows where we'll go.

I hope you'll enjoy the "eye candy"

If you're a bit like me, the images may lead you to spend time afterwards in 

your sketchbook, art journal, diary or easel.

Sometimes, I'll show you what's come of the inspiration for me - on the field trip day itself or some time soon after.  I'd love to see if it's sparked some creative action for you....so do please share links back to your work in the comments.

*  *  *  *  *

I spend a great deal of time in Palm Springs .  
My little family is fortunate to swing between two beautiful California climates
as my husband's work recently took him closer to the desert than the beach.

It's not a barren place as many would believe - it is alive and blooming.

It seems to only to take a drop or two of water and it springs to life!

Hiking there is nothing short of miraculous.
As one winds around this trail or that, you come upon pools of clear mountain waters.
Hence the "springs" in Palm Springs!

Even lizards want to cool off in the shady spots,

hiding from the screeching hawks soaring overhead.

Shimmery leaves rustle in warm desert breezes.

Bursts of color beneath the clearest of blue skies.

Rainbows and cool showers and towering palms a'plenty. 

 Hidden oasis's everywhere.

And much needed relief from the heat is easy to find - ahhhhhh.

The slow desert lifestyle often leads me to the sketchbook.

Find free quickie tutorials on covering store your own store 

bought sketch books & journals (more stuff too) on my "Freebie" page.

I can spend hours doodling the simple shapes I notice while on the desert "trails".

I sense a series of feather paintings coming on . . .