new dawn

 It's a new day, it's a new dawn and the sky this early morning was glowing a gorgeous rosy pink.  It's 12 degrees and the cold has us building fires and bundling up as we all head our ways on this friday morning.

 From my window, it almost looks as if there is a fire in the distance to keep us warm.

Can you imagine within just a few minutes how different the dawn can look.  Call me crazy, I love the dawn of a new day and that the sky holds rosy things in store for each of us.

birthday blossom

Have you ever given thought to that of a blossom that blooms each year just like a birthday.

  I never tire of observing birthdays or blossoms.

It is quite an art to study flowers as they bloom, flourish and then fade.  

There is a place nearby that I love to go with my dog and just witness the power of nature. 

 I rescued this blossom and brought it home to paint.  

There is something beautiful about a blossom as it unfolds and fades away.  

I find the beauty lies in the age or the fragility or life.  We cannot keep our youth forever.

As I prepare for my Art Studio Open tour the end of April, I am trying my best to focus on all that flourishes and fades in Spring.   I will have boxes of cards for sale, a few works of art and samples of past examples of art work.

Today, I wish my dear Mother a Happy 85th birthday.  May she continue to bloom, to thrive, to flourish and to inspire us all with her boundless energy and respect for life.  

pve design - watercolor blossom painted on Arches Aquarelle Paper 140lb.

the thick of it

Last week, while taking the dog on a walk, I happened upon these glorious thistles.

I truly cannot imagine designing something so positively perfect!

Just look at this thistle, reminds me of fireworks and a pathetic creature, near and dear to my heart.....

Eeyore loved thistles. This is one of my favorite sketches from Winnie-the-Pooh. I love the way Pooh remained so positive and sunny whilst Eeyore just could not be bothered. I think these tasty thistles would keep Eeyore going. Are you Pooh or Eeyore?

How do you remain sunny-side up in the thick of life!

(I added this book, "The Tao of Pooh" after a comment told me about this book!)

take me to the river

A view of the Hudson River, in eastern New York, that flows from the Adirondacks, 350 miles down to New York, out to the Atlantic.  Welcome to my corner, my river, not far from my home, not far from the "Big Apple."

I am full of gratitude for the glory of nature and my corner.

Take me to a river in your corner or any body of water.

pergola perfection

A pergola in the garden to take cover and to admire the shadow of dancing patterns. 

This is one of my favorite spots.  Only a short drive to this enchanted garden and I am immediately transported to a far away place.

Tranquility ripples all around me.  Lovely lilies lure me with their aquatic display.

Does it not look as if they are twirling?

Perennial beds lay beside lush blankets of fresh blades of green grass.

I am not the only one trying to capture the beauty of nature.

This artist said, "oh, not good" as I admired her painting.  I praised her for being there, painting.  We all need a bit of encouragement every now and then.

A visit to a place that gives me such wonder, such approval to take time, to look around me, to appreciate nature.  I leave with ideas for cultivating a garden, building a pergola or just taking time to visit a place to take cover and inspire my mission to design an artful life.

Are you on a mission to design an artful life?  What inspires you lately?

ever green

It is no secret that I adore the color green.  Please enjoy a collection of photos from Europe last year.  We stayed in several cities, but it was the country side which captured my heart.  I was impressed by all the green around me.

A water fall in the hills of Alsace Lorraine where we hiked.

A vineyard in Alsace.  Everywhere we looked there was green and I felt so happy.

What color makes you happy?

nature time

Time for nature, a wintry walk, some skiing and building fires, puzzles and playing games.
This one I took from the inside with the screen in front and quite like the misty morning here.
Take time for nature and enjoy your weekend.