Playing in the Paint

It's sunflower season in the midwest and I've been playing in the paint, trying to capture some of their sunny optimism. They are a giving flower.  Even after the petals fade and the flowerheads droop, the garden is full of birds harvesting the seed until the stalks fall in the snow.   I love that.

A couple of weeks ago I finally received my copy of Jean Haines' new book, Atmospheric Flowers in Watercolor.  It is lovely and inspiring and I've been playing with florals ever since. 

This one is 8 x 10 inches, matted and framed to 11 x 14 inches.  $225.


P.S. Jean Haines' books never disappoint.  I love all of them.   Check them out here.

Garden Bounty

The garden is booming this year - with sunflowers.   Everything else is a little unhappy about all the rain.   We have rampant romularia and other fungal problems in the rhubarb, beans, tomatoes, etc.   Plus mega bug problems with the eggplant and squash.

But the sunflowers, zinnas and marigolds are glorious.  And for that I am very happy.

Sunflowers

Just off Highway 43 south on the way into Solsberry,  just past the Solsberry Cemetery, where old Sol who owned the berry patch that Solsberry is named after is buried, there is long row of sunflowers. 

Last year there were just two rows.   This year there are 4 rows of different kinds. Not as tall as last year, but so beautiful in that long long line along the road. 

They weathered the heat and drought and bloomed briefly and I got a pic at their brightest.