The evening primroses are in full bloom right now. I love how the light illuminates through their petals, almost making them glow. This hill was covered in them, almost like it had been painted pink. I included the highway below because it reminds me that there is beauty all around, even near noisy interstates.
Black Eyed Susan and Indian Blanket
Black Eyed Susan and Indian blanket….with a little imagination and rhyme you could almost write a fable or a country and western song about these fields.
Sunrise 12 May 2013
My mom reminded me of a mother’s day picnic we hosted a dozen years ago. I was pregnant with my first child. My mom came, and Matthew’s mom, and her mom. Many of our friends and their moms. As sort of a toast/ prayer we all shared what we loved about our own moms or being a mom. It was probably the best Mother’s Day celebration I have ever been too. I will put the question out there for all of you…what do you love about your mother, or being a mother?
I love the way my mom always made me feel like becoming and being a mom was the most important thing that ever happened to her. I never wondered if she would rather be doing something other than taking care of my brother and I…it was a great feeling. Thanks mom, I love you so much.
As for being a mother, I love it all: the work, the laughs, watching them grow up, watching them be kids….everything, everyday. Today my day started with time to paint, and a good strong cup of coffee. Followed by a BLT (my favorite breakfast) expertly made by my sons, on toast with extra tomatoes, and a presentation of very charming gifts made by my children. My favorite were the fill in the blank worksheets done at school. Number 11. on Micah’s worksheet said “What do you think your mom was like before she had children? His answer “very, very, VERY bored.”
Happy Mother’s Day to all of you, my wish for you is that you work be filled with meaning, and never leave you bored!
Sunny Day Picnic
I went to a favorite park of ours which has a lovely section of native prairie. After painting the wildflowers, I painted this little study of some picnickers. Have you ever noticed how much better everything tastes outside?
Field of Gold
I painted this from a thumbnail. I planned on using a photo to finish it, but the photo was on my ipad and I couldn’t see the screen at baseball practice. I could see it ok in the dugout, but when a ball came zooming in, I decided I better pay attention or get out. So, I finished the painting from my little black and white thumbnail safely behind the netting in the stands. If you listen closely, perhaps you can hear the sounds of the afternoon…
Lupinus texensis
“Bluebonnets have inspired the poet’s pen, the artist’s brush, the cowboy’s dream, and the legislator’s eloquence throughout the broad spaces of Texas. Their royal beauty and enchanting fragrance have a particular message which speaks to the emotions with compelling directness.”
–Mary Daggett Lake, 1926
Lupinus texensis is the scientific name for Texas Bluebonnet.
Sunrise in Texas Blue
The noon day palette I would need to paint this scene would be quite boring, but it was interesting at dawn.
Indian Paint
Texas spring is all about color. It is an impressionist’s dream come true, the fields are just a beautiful blur of pure color.
Thank You Lady Bird
My studies and thumbnails from Hawaii outlasted my trip, and although I still have a dozen or so more to complete, spring in Texas is just too hard to ignore. I hope you enjoyed the tropics; you might want to trade your flip flops for boots, we are headed deep into the heart of the lone star state!
“When I was a little girl, I grew up listening to the wind in the pine trees of the East Texas woods.
My heart found its home long ago in the beauty, mystery, order and disorder of the flowering earth.
My special cause, the one that alerts my interest and quickens the pace of my life, is to preserve the wildflowers and native plants that define the regions of our land—to encourage and promote their use in appropriate areas, and thus help pass on to generation in waiting the quiet jobs and satisfactions I have known since my childhood.” – Lady Bird Johnson, in her own words
Thank you Lady Bird for leaving such a beautiful legacy. May we all find our special cause that alerts our interest and quickens our pace.
Sunrise LBJ national grasslands
I painted this a few years ago at the LBJ National Grasslands, near Decatur, Texas. We head over for the trail marathon every year. The race has rolled around again, and perhaps I will be able to sneak in a few studies between checking on my boys today. This is a complimentary color study in violet and yellow, and some neutral grey-violets. I love energy of these colors together.
paintandsimple 