Black and White

I don't often see black flowers but these deep purple iris buds appear almost black. I saw them while out walking one evening and was so taken with them that I returned with my camera the next day.

In our neighbourhood there are gardens in the middle of traffic circles and in traffic calming bulges; I don't know who takes care of them, but I for one enjoy the beautiful displays and send my thanks.

The dark buds burst into deep purple blooms:

 

 

 

 

 

White flowers aren't rare but I will share a few favorites from my garden.

 

Peonies with little slashes of red:

 

This one looks like a face to me:

White roses:

 

 

White Foxglove:

 

 

From Roy Orbison`s "Black and White``:

 

 

 

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ART NEWS:

I have been working on something black and white, it is an ink and watercolour work and not finished but here is a teaser:

 

The black part is ink and I am painting a few of the shells.

 

 



I am happy to say I am almost finished my triptych, I just have the varnishing and framing to complete. It has been a big project and one which I intend to include in a solo show in September, more about that later. I had to use my wide angle lens to get a picture, so without further ado here it is:

 

I am calling it "Village People", watercolour on paper (24" X 60").

 

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Here is a little art video treat for you:

 

 

 

That's all for this week,

 

wishing you a happy Wednesday, with Whimsy,

 

Gillian.



Pairs

Lots of pairs in the park. This pair of chickadees was working on a nest.

 

First one

 

 

 

... and then off it flew to be replaced by the other...

 

of the pair. I tried unsuccessfully to get them both in one picture.

Next there were pairs of crows.

 

 

 

This pair were grooming each other.

 

This pair of Mallards was taking turns keeping watch, here she is dosing.

 

Then she wakes, and stretches ...

 

and he nods off.

 

Flower pairs:

 

 

 

And I couldn't resist taking pictures of shells on the high tide line, not exactly pairs.

 

 

Now here we have a pair of pears. Why you ask? 

 

Well I have been working on another set of recipe cards; watercolour paintings on cards, and each card contains a recipe card for the pictured ingredient.

 

So there you have it a pair of pears:

 

A pair of pears to pare.

 

Imagine the tongue twisting verse that could result ;^)

 

Here are some new paintings.

 

Two watercolours; first a Lily

 

 

and one of Gooseneck Barnacles.

 

 

And finally here is an ink and watercolour for a new food themed card:

 

 

These cards are 5" x 5" and include a recipe insert that features the pictured ingredient. What is the recipe for the walnuts ... you will have to go to my card website, PS Whimsy, and have a look. (Hint it is under the Food Icon and is the first of the Series 2 recipes).

 

Until next time...

Thank you for all your kind comments on my last post.

 

Thanks for stopping by,

 

happy Whimsy Wednesday,

 

 

Gillian. 

 

 

 



"I must go down to the seas again..."

I have always loved the beach, enjoying the slight saltiness of the breeze, walking on the sand and the rhythmic "chant" of the waves upon the shore. 

So I took advantage of an afternoon low tide to stroll along Spanish banks. Fair weather had brought out many others and a brisk breeze had attracted a few kite fliers. 

As I walked I thought of my Dad, who died this month in 2006, and how he would have loved this walk and was reminded of a favorite poem of his:

Sea Fever by John Masefield (from Salt-Water Ballads, 1902)  I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky, And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to sail her by, And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking, And the gray mist on the sea's face, and a grey dawn breaking. I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied; And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying, And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying. I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life, To the gull's way and the whale's way where the wind's like a whetted knife; And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow rover, And a quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.

So come along with me .............as I go down to the sea. Many ships were at anchor in the English bay and many a few sailing boats were taking advantage of the wind for a brisk sail. I found lots of things to interest me and occupy my camera.    And of course there were quite a variety of birds interested in what the low tide had uncovered.   -------------------- I think I mentioned last week that I had started on a new series of paintings with a sea shore theme. Here is the first in that series, a watercolour, called "Shell Colour 1": For more information on this and to see more of my original art follow this link: GillianOlsonArt Thank you for dropping by, Happy Whimsy Wednesday, until next week .................