Tuesday, July 9, 2013

What's inspiring me today: the shades of summer

It's the height of summer.
Inspiration right at your fingertips.


The shades of summer are the most fantastic of the year, or so it seems to me.


All the hues of July almost sing...

the brilliance of leafy greens and olive colors in our raised bed runs through so many shades and values it defies reproducing.

No less stunning are the  subtleties of succulents, with one plant containing everything from magenta to yellowy green without ever looking the slightest bit muddy.


In summer it's the colors that stun me and send me back to my palette again to try to get better fidelity to the amazing shades of summer's glories here in our beautiful little valley.



In a few weeks I'll have another artist retreat in my studio, and we'll be painting en plein air... the valley is the perfect spot for creativity, humble and glorious stirred together.


Thank goodness for the long days at this season.

I can hardly bear to close my eyes at the end of day, and find myself dreaming in living color all the night long, happy to wake to another morning of brilliant color.