The Pond - A Very Attractive Place

I know the pond looks pretty ragged right now.  My husband planted grass last fall and now it's really growing tall but we want it to so it will develop seed for resowing.  Also the banks look raw and eroded due to all the rain at one time.  And this spring has been the time for planting perennials which will bloom in the future.  Yes, the pond area is looking pretty sad but it's still very attractive to some visitors.

I guess since we've stocked the fish, the herons and the geese and ducks will be visiting more often!  The herons at least will fly fairly quickly if they see us and while the pond is a pretty good distance from the house, they have pretty sharp eyes.  I was only allowed to get this photo by hiding behind a porch pillar and using the zoom on my camera.

Hopefully, the Canada geese are too busy raising their families to realize that the pond now has fish as they're a nuisance that's harder to deter than the heron!

After Nearly 30 Years

My husband's dream ever since we moved out here was to have a large pond.  It was something of a struggle just getting the pond built between weather and the personal problems of the first contractor we hired to do it.  But now the day has come when he's finally stocking the pond with fish. 

Now to wait another three years to start fishing!  lol

Untitled Swans

Hello Boys and Girls, long time no post - again!  No excuses for not posting but it seems that I just hibernated this winter and it was only the advent of spring that awakened my creative juices again!  So, with no further ado let me present my first real painting of 2017!!!!!!

Gouache on Canvas

I'm not absolutely sure it's finished though, can't think of a good title and am still trying to figure out what to do with the frame!!!

Any input you can give would be most appreciated!    The frame is the only one I could find to fit  and I'm wondering if it would look better in another color, if so, what color would you suggest?  BTW, the frame is not yet attached to the painting so the horizon isn't as crooked as it looks here!

Now that I've awakened, I have several other paintings in the works so hopefully it won't be so long until my next post!

Another Bunny

It's been sort of slow going trying to paint bunny rabbits for my nephew and his wife for their nursery.  I did find out that they're having a little boy so do think they should be able to find a rabbit painting or two from what I've done.  Of course, they can have all of them if they want!

Here's the latest - it's pastel with an acrylic 'mat' on Art Spectrum's ColourFix Suede, a support I usually like for pastel work.

It's getting close to Christmas so hope everyone has their shopping done, travel plans made (or accomplished), the baking done and have had time to put up their feet and relax a little.  I wish all of you a very blessed Christmas season!  Of course, I'll post a card too in the coming days!

Christmas Already?

It's so amazing that time can pass so quickly!  My last post was November 18 and here it is December 6th already!  Christmas will be here before we know it and I was reminded of that because an art forum I belong to is having a Christmas card exchange.  I painted the lion lying down with the lamb to represent the peace of God to come because His son Jesus was born.

Here's the card I painted - watercolor on a pre-cut watercolor card.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Although this image and the saying that the lion shall lie down with the lamb has been around for ages, it's not Biblically accurate.  The main Bible verse where this saying came from is Isaiah 11:6 and actually says "The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them."

The rest of this prophecy (as pertaining to the animals dwelling together peacefully) says

"7And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.

8And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den.

9They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea."

 

This prophecy refers to the second coming of Christ when he sets up his kingdom for the millennium. In spite of people sending cards at this time of the year proclaiming peace on earth, it won't happen until Jesus returns for this millennium period.  The peace referred to at the time of Jesus' birth was peace between God and man - Jesus is the reconciler, the advocate between God and mankind and is the only path between man and God.  Unfortunately, many people don't believe that.  But, while God wants everyone to be reconciled to Him, he gives everyone a choice.  There will be people who stand before the Judgement Seat of God who will be refused entrance to heaven.  This is not because of any sins they committed - it will be because they refused the One who made payment for those sins, Jesus, the Christ.  

Core Sound Museum Wildlife Exhibition

'Not Your Usual Foxy Lady'

The annual NC Wildlife Artists Society exhibition at the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum on Harker's Island, NC closed yesterday and I'm delighted to have won a People's Choice Award for the above painting.  Unfortunately, I didn't sell any of my paintings but it's nice that the visitors to the show thought enough of my 'Foxy Lady' to vote for it!

I was also juried into the Incubator Holiday Market in Siler City, NC and that exhibition starts this evening and runs into January.  I have three paintings hanging there and also some of the coasters that I've made from various paintings of mine.  I hope any of you in the area will take time to visit the show as it features many great artists from the area including painters, potters, jewelry makers and many items that I haven't even seen yet.

I'm still painting even though this is the big season for artists to market their work.  I just finished another rabbit for my niece and nephew who are expecting a baby this spring.  The nursery is being decorated in bunnies and I'm having fun painting some for the nursery walls!

'Spring Bunny'

Last Watercolor Class

Cardinal - watercolor

I sometimes wonder if I'll ever get the hang of transparent watercolor!  I do like the colors in this bird but much of it was accomplished by dry brushing.  The instructor uses more wet in wet techniques.

Unfortunately, the watercolor class is over and this was my final painting.  Not a masterpiece but I don't think anyone does their best work in a class.  I must say that this was one of the best classes I've ever taken as Beth really did instruct instead of it being just a class where people gathered to paint.