Hello Dahlia!

My neighbor grows the most beautiful Dahlia flowers…

She recently gave me a bouquet and I wanted to share them with you!

The colors, shapes and patterns are just dazzling, aren’t they?!

Perhaps you may also enjoy these imaginary flowers that I created in my large handmade journal:

I created them in a variety of art mediums; such as paper collage, ink pens and watercolor crayons.

May ALL these flowers inspire YOU in your art or just brighten your day!

Cheers! 😃

The Lederhosen Bird

This weird bird is a little late to the party…

Oktoberfest was celebrated in Munich between September 17 and October 3 this year!

But The Lederhosen bird is always ready to celebrate!

Did you know that lederhosen or “leather breeches” were worn as traditional garments in some regions of German-speaking countries? Formerly, they were worn for hard work but today are mostly worn as leisurewear.

Happy Weird Bird Wednesday!

Cheers! 😃

And Happy Fall! The leaves are changing amazing colors and the days have been extra sunny and warm in the Pacific Northwest where I live.

I have been spending as much time as possible outdoors… before the days get colder.

Do you have a favorite season? I hope you share it with me! 😃

What’s Blooming?

Today’s weird bird is taking time to enjoy Spring’s blossoms:

We have had an unusually cold Spring so we are behind schedule…

Our crabapple tree is just starting to display its glorious bright pink blooms:

And the lilac is filling the air with its heavenly scent:

What’s blooming where you live?

I hope you take time to smell the flowers!

Happy Weird Bird Wednesday!

Cheers to Spring! 🌸

Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving is a time for giving thanks…

What are you thankful for?

I am thankful for many things, especially “nature” and its ability to soothe my soul in all four seasons in the Pacific Northwest where I live.

I try to get outside for some fresh air each day, even if it’s just a walk to the mailbox.

My cat, Jack walks around the backyard with me on the days when the sun is shinning.

I recently created an autumn themed mandala in watercolor using some leaves from my yard as inspiration. I also added iridescent watercolor for some sparkle.

I finished my piece with color pencils. I think I will frame this one!

Many thanks to each of you for your likes and kind comments on my blog this year.

Wishing you a day filled with Giving Thanks!

Cheers! 🙂

Weird Weather

Spring brings such weird weather and today was no exception!

I woke-up to two inches of new SNOW!! What a surprise!

These weird birds were surprised too… One bird in particular!

What do you think the other birds are saying?

Happy Weird Bird Wednesday!

Cheers! 🙂

No Time For Art?

Some days (or weekends) life gets busy and it feels like there is no time for art.

This happened to me over the weekend… I’m not exactly sure where the time went! 😉

Instead of worrying about it, I did some brainstorming in my art journal about what nature is to me:

Brainstorming is a fun exercise. I like to write quickly without judgment. These ideas I can use in my art making when I have a little more time.

Plus it gives me some ideas to think about for my next project.

How do you use brainstorming in your art making?

Cheers! 🙂

Rosy Bonnets

One of nature’s art subjects I enjoy drawing and painting…

Mushrooms!

Paper collage using Gelli-plate prints from old books:

When Pete Hillman recently posted a photo of Rosy Bonnet mushrooms…

I had to try drawing them in pencil and color pencils in my art journal:

Paper collage came next (first photo) and tomorrow, I hope to try watercolor!

I’m having fun exploring this mushroom in different art mediums…

Thanks Pete for the inspiration with your awesome photos!!

What art subjects from nature grab your attention?

Cheers! 🙂

A Marvelous Maple

The maple tree in our yard is turning many marvelous colors!

I took these photos on Wednesday when we had our first SNOW of the season…

It was a shock to many trees in our area that still have their leaves…

Many people woke-up to fallen branches and trees in their yards as the branches could not hold the weight of this unexpected snow. Always so sad to lose a lovely tree!

I experimented with my Gelli-plate a little more. This time I printed on a couple of garden magazine pages.

I will use the negative and positive shapes of this oak leaf in my art journal:

May you have a marvelous weekend!

Cheers! 🙂

September Square-A-Day Project

Hello Friends,

I hope you are enjoying my daily art squares as much as I’m having fun creating them!

I tried to tell a story in each art square with watercolor or Copic markers and a touch of collage. Sometimes I added a little Micron black pen too.

My stories for September’s square-a-day project are simple, something I did or saw or felt for that day.

I was inspired by the artwork in this book by Roxanne Evans Stout:

I hope you share favorite squares that may inspire you in your own stories…

Cheers! 🙂

P.S. In case you are wondering, square #17, the words say, “Ferris Wheel.” It was the name of a paint sample. I thought it looked like a child’s name. Our local fair occurs in September. 😉

A September Surprise

I wanted to show you my September square-a-day project for the first 12 days of this month.

I am limiting my art medium to watercolor or markers and a little collage.

Like finding the toy in a box of Crack Jacks, each square holds a collage surprise, can you find it?

Happy Friday!

Cheers! 🙂