Monday, July 30, 2012

Green: Summer's Favorite Color

If summer had a favorite color, 
it would have to be green.


Lush, rich, brilliant green.

Green as in rolling fields.


Green as in crinkled leaves.


And herbs. 
And the broccoli that has gone to seed in the back corner of the garden.



Summer's green can fly solo
or play second fiddle to her brighter-hued friends.


In our little valley, the excesses of summer spill over into visual joy in almost every corner.


All the neighbors revel in the green that surrounds us.
It is the season for pleasure.


Sunshine. 
Flowers.
Afternoons by the lake
or in the garden.


We take long, long walks and enjoy the ordinary goodness spilling over.


We greet the animals along our way
and slow to savor the gardens
and greet friends in the golden light of early evening.


Because it's summer.
And it's green.



And that's so very, very good.
Just as it ought to be.



Friday, July 27, 2012

Out in the Garden...


I'm working on a new garden collection,
which has me chasing down the joys and inspirations
I love best about my own yard, and the gardens of my friends.


The other day I listened to a man talk about losing his sense of taste,
and it made me ponder...

If you had to lose one of your senses, which would you choose to do without?


Sight? Smell? Sound? Touch? Taste?


My garden is a banquet for all the senses.
What a blessing that we have been gifted with them all...


Today I remind myself:
It's so important not to be so busy with the urgent things
that we forget about the truly important things.


Time spent together.
Time to rest.
Time to notice and say thank you
for the miracles that surround us.


I love the old children's prayer:

Thank you, God, for the world so sweet,
Thank you, God, for the food we eat.
Thank you, God, for the birds that sing,
Thank you, God, for everything!


And especially our own wee garden, 
humming with bees all drowsy in the sunlight
and plenty of work for us to do.

Including this new garden collection!


Wednesday, July 25, 2012

The blessings of the Valley


Through the garden gate we listen to the birdsong
and let the scent of the flowers and hum of the bees bring comfort.



I admit I've shed more than a few tears the last few days, missing my faithful Katie Dog. 

I've felt the need for solace.

It's so good to pull a few weeds in the garden...


to intentionally notice and enjoy the goodness of summer. 


Cherries, raspberries, strawberries, all in profusion...


The ordinary sights of summer in this little valley seem so precious.


Let's all go pick a dandelion, make a wish, and blow...


May our sadness blow away on the wings of the wind and joy take its place.

We have so much to be grateful for, don't we, even when we're sad?






Monday, July 23, 2012

Goodbye, old friend


I'm not good at saying goodbye,
It's bittersweet.


When you've had a faithful friend for a long while, and it's time to say goodbye, you remember the happy moments, the silly times, the shared joys.


And you weep as you say goodbye.




Friday, July 20, 2012

Florida, land of sea, sand and inspiration


I went to Florida to do an artist signing to celebrate the release of a new line of mugs and plates at Abbey Press.


But after the crowds at the Orlando's convention center, the beach was calling.


And so was my friend Kitty, who lives near the beach and loves gelato as much as I do.
We were both feeling hippie-ish so we used the side door!


Oh, Florida is chock full of kitsch!





I was so tempted to go fishin', just so I could hang a sign out...



In Florida the beach is such a happening place.

Just full of inspiration for new art, too.


I've got four more pages to finish up on a new wine calendar, and we toted seashells and wine glasses down to the sand for a little photo shoot.


The birds were posing...



All the pelicans seemed to have an itch at the same time!


The egrets feet and eyes captivated me completely...



And the gardens, oh my goodness...



The details like raindrops and spiderwebs, brilliant colors of the foliage and flowers...


Home to the studio tonight at last, 
happy as a clam and 
so inspired my fingers are itching to get the ink and paints out again.


When the creative inspiration is this intense, there is just no holding it back.