Spring Break

I have struggled all day to motivate myself to get a painting done and here it is 9:45 pm and I don't really have a thing to show for the struggle. :-)

My husband is on Spring Break this week and that combined with some jobs around the house that I really want to get done are keeping my mind from being focused on painting. So I have decided to not fight it any more--I am taking the rest of the week off as far as painting goes. Hopefully then I can make some real headway on the other jobs and come back with a brain that isn't being pulled in several different directions!

So see you next week!

A Royal Combination

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4" x 6"

Poppies may be my favorite flower--although that is very hard to say because I do love many different flowers--but for sure this is my favorite color of poppy. Maybe it rises to the top of the list because I have not been able to get/keep it in my garden. I bought it one Fall and carefully planted it within the brick-edged limits of my garden so the "weed eater" wouldn't get it the next spring. I waited with excitement as it began to grow the following spring until I went out one day and all that was left was a shredded stalk. The weed eater had struck! When questioned the reply was "I didn't weed eat any of your flowers. I only took out the biggest weed I've ever seen."--my poppy. It didn't survive. :-/ Several years later I saw the same variety in a major gardening catalog, and it was on sale no less!! I placed my order and planted it within the picket fence this time. The next spring however brought disappointment once again as the poppy bloomed it wasn't the deep purple red it was supposed to be, it was a salmon orange!! So it has not been my lot in life to have this beauty grace my garden, but I enjoyed this one surrounded by another favorite--yarrow at a local garden.

Amid the Tulips

4" x 6"

Nestled amid the tulips is a garden retreat shaded by crepe myrtles with their smooth, colorful bark. Definitely a place to sit and ponder.

Blanket Flower Vignette

4" x 6"

Window Box II

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4" x 6"

This is another view of the window box in Mary's Restaurant, Greenville, SC. It is such a beautiful box and always brings a smile to my face.

Daffodil Duo

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4" x 6"

I love the shape of daffodils with their ruffle-edged trumpets surrounding by their showy petals. I think they are perfect reflections of the warm sun chasing away the cold, colorless winter.

Royal Troupe

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4" x 6"

Crocuses and daffodils are in full bloom in Greenville, but I can't wait for the tulips! I called this Royal Troupe because the colors are rich and remind me of royalty and "troupe" because they are beautiful entertainers! :-)

Pink Camellia II

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4" x 6"

This pink camellia was hanging down and I loved the shape that was created.

I worked some more in my yard this morning. By the end of the morning I decided to turn the mulch pile a little and found that it apparently has been the breeding ground for termites this winter! Last fall I put a little layer of dirt in since that is supposed to help things decompose quicker but there must have been a termite in that dirt because now there are tons!! UGH! I wanted to start spreading some of the mulch in my flower beds this spring . . . guess that won't be happening until I get rid of them . . . just not sure how best to do that!

Pink Camellia

4" x 6"

Another sign of Spring is the camellia. They are simple yet very elegant beauties!

I have started working in my garden. I wish I could say their isn't a lot to do, but I haven't been able to really work in it for a couple years so there is much to do. Good thing I enjoy being outside--hope to reclaim it this year!

Daffodil Vignette

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4" x 6"

Daffodils have arrived in Greenville, SC! Spring is definitely on it's way!

The Window Box

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4" x 6"

This window box is nestled in a window of Falls Cottage, Greenville, SC. The cottage was built in 1893 and today houses Mary's Restaurant.

White Azaleas

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4" x 6"

I do like painting white flowers--to get those deep shadows, and azaleas are a very delicate petal that really highlights those shadows. Hope you enjoy!

Shaded Drive

4" x 6"

I saw my first daffodils of the season today! Spring is on it's way to the south--maybe some more daffodil paintings will be coming. Now to today's painting--the things I liked about this scene were the dark shadows on the road, the strength of the pines, and the curve in the road gives a sense of mystery of what is around the bend.

Garden Bench

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4" x 6"

There is something very inviting about a garden bench. It just seems to call you to sit, relax, and forget all the issues of the day!

Forgotten Entrance

4" x 6"

This garden gate near the back of a Greenville property seems to have been forgotten. The English ivy has claimed a fair section of the brick and had started in on the gate and across the dirt path.

Tudor Home

4" x 6"

This is the back corner of a large Tudor-style home. I do like architecture, and this home is beautiful!

Bridge Over Tranquil Waters

2.5" x 3.5"

There are days when I really struggle to paint . . . it is just plain hard work. Every brushstroke is painful it seems. I go through periods where I really don't like the way my paintings are turning out or it was so hard getting there that I can barely look at the painting! :-) When I'm going through times like that I just keep telling myself "It will pass. Painting will be fun again." and I force myself to keep going. This week was somewhat of a struggle; however, I really like today's painting. Yay! I survived another period of struggle. :-)

This stream runs through a large estate in Greenville. The bridge is part of the long drive that winds up to a very large Tudor home. The home is set up on a hill, and this little stream is near the bottom between it and the home are thousands of daffodils in the spring. This spot is so peaceful and even though it is near the downtown it is very quiet and tranquil--just the sound of the water as it flows over the rocks.

Twin Beauty

4" x 6"

I like the strong white petals of the magnolia. This particular variety has a pink blush at the center--very pretty.

Pink Peony

2.5" x 3.5"

I have several peony plants in my garden--they aren't the "usual" kind but rather have fewer petals and a yellow center. They are a more simple variety but still beautiful!

Lily Pond

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4" x 6"

This beautiful lily pond is located at Roper Mountain Science Center in Greenville. The area to the left is a butterfly garden. Once you cross the bridge and follow the path you will come to a "settlement" of old homes, barns, and out-buildings. There is a vegetable and flower garden, chickens, horse, and cow--a great place for local schools to visit and learn about nature and history.

Ice Plant

4" x 6"

This low-growing succulent is an ice plant. It was blooming here in Greenville in the springtime. It cascaded over a rocky ledge.

(In the painting the flowers are a little more vibrant and the rock a bit darker--at least for my computer monitor.) :-)

Pink Magenta Tulips

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4" x 6"