Springtime....finally.....

Every spring, I anxiously await the return of these beautiful crocuses, photographed on the left. I planted them many years ago right next to the path leading up to our front door. I know it's Spring when I see them again!

I haven't done a painting of them yet. I really should-they make me so happy when I step out to get my mail and there they are, telling me that cold winter days are just about over for the year. I especially like the background of the mulch, against the vibrant Spring colors of the crocuses. I was also surprised to see my blue poppy blooming already! It's as anxious for Spring as I am, I guess! A while back I ordered a "blue garden" from a catalog. What came were bulbs and seeds of many different varities of flowers- this blue poppy included. A friend of mine, who cultivates rare and unusual poppies, told me that the blue ones were quite rare! I lucked into getting this one. Bigger blooms will appear later on, but I was so glad to see, after one really rough winter on so many levels, the return of such beautiful, and familiar friends.

Buffalo Arts Awards Luncheon....

I was invited to participate in the Arts Awards luncheon held at the Adam's Mark Hotel this past Friday afternoon. The Allentown Art Festival was receiving a lifetime achievement award, and as an Allentown artist, I was asked to be part of the artist bazaar at the hotel, along with dozens of other artists.

The photo on the left shows my set-up at this event. I was very honored to have been asked to participate, doubly thrilled that Mary, who has run Allentown for it's entire 52 year run, called me personally to ask me to be there. The opportunity to display work inside is always a treat- as one who does outdoor art festivals, it's SO nice to not have to worry about the weather!
The photo on the right is of fellow watercolorist Jody Ziehm (l) and myself (r). It was so nice to be there with friends. Jody, Joan Hambleton, Evette Slaughter, Denise Sperry and others were there, and it was great to catch up with each other. We often don't get to see each other until the summer show season, so this was an early Spring treat. None of us sold much of anything, but many people took business cards, and one never knows where the next sale will come from.

Hollyhocks.....

I just love hollyhocks. I took many, many photos of them last summer, and I just couldn't wait to do a simple watercolor painting of these beauties.
I used Winsor Newton's Rose Madder Genuine for the majority of the blooms, with some Winsor Newton Lemon Yellow and Maimerblu's Dragon's Blood for some deeper values. Winsor Newton's Alizarin Crimson added some of the darkest values. I love Maimerblu's Sap Green- that's my go to green for most of my florals. I also used Winsor Newton's Indigo and Payne's Grey for the shadows in the leaves, stems and buds.
A lot of the garden centers stock only the double blooming hollyhocks nowadays. I think these single blooming varieties are much prettier- those double bloomers would be impossible to paint! Cannot wait to see some flowers blooming around here....even a crocus would be nice! Guess I've got to be patient.