Wednesday, June 30, 2010

New Paintings

I just finished a course with pastel artist Deborah Secor http://www.deborahsecor.com/ at the Harwood Art Center  http://harwoodartcenter.org/ss/  I've really learned a lot from Deborah,  I love this medium, especially to paint scenes here in the Southwest. I have a few finished pastel paintings to frame now.





Sunday, June 27, 2010

Summer Solstice




The Summer Solstice - the longest day of the year for North America - arrived Monday, June 21st.  What a glorious morning. 



My gardening is in full swing. And so is my hammock for absolute lazy moments of the day.


The vegetables in their hard scrabble beds await the summer monsoon rain showers.


The  SagesPerky Sues,  Iris, and Butterfly Bushes are back. 

Perky Sue
Iris plants


Sages and Butterfly Bush in my Xeriscape Garden
Quanyin provides quiet compassion in this mountain  garden.


Red Yuccas are abloom.

Lavender, Japanese Honeysuckle, and Roses bring both color and aroma to my garden.


New Pinon Pine seedlings are growing.

Pinon Pine seedling

My Rocky Mountain Butterfly mixture of wildflowers are blooming.

Red Columbine


Wildflowers are everywhere:

Bladderpod


Verbena

Prickly things are blooming, too  - Local natives like Hedgehog Cactus and Claret Cup cactus  have beautiful red flowers.

Hedgehog Cactus

Claret Cup Cactus



  
Yarrow and Columbine grace my garden.


Along with a field of Cornflowers


Indian Blanket Flower
                        and brightly colored Blanket Flowers.

Day Lilies nod in the warming sun.
   

My 3 year old Cottonwood is huge and is sure to devour my house in a few more years.

The bird house remains empty - sigh - apparently a sign of the times with too much inventory, not enough buyers.

What a beautiful sunset to finish off the day!