B-4's And Afters

February has been a busy month, it has also been unusually cold and wet this winter. During this time of year I like having sunflowers around, even after the peddles have wilted away they are still beautiful and fun to draw. Thinking there may be some coffee stained pieces coming up soon.

                        

There are art shows still going on, closing reception for the Boyce Thompson Arboretum Gallery is February 28th from 9-3. My friend Gary Binder & I will be there doing demonstrations in oil and pastel paintings. There is a small fee to get into the Arboretum, with a discount if you have a State Park Pass. It is a great place to walk the trails with hummingbird activity, nests are being built. Plus, we have a few hummingbird paintings on display. So, drop on by and see what we are creating. During the opening reception I finished up a tree piece. I reworked it taking out a bird that never seemed to work, I like it better as just a lone tree. Who knows I may have it there all framed up and ready to sell.



My studio is ready for a new project. The last of the paper making has been packed away. We had a great time this year making paper. My friend Marilu came out for a visit and we had a nice surprise, her granddaughter, Jenni came over from CA to help us make paper.  Here are a few before and after pictures.

                   

All cleaned up and ready for a new project.

There were a few fun things outside of the studio too. Did a boat ride on the Saguaro Lake. The weather was kind to us on that day. Stopped by Liberty Wildlife to see Indian Running Ducks. You can check the photo album out on FB to see more pictures and video's of the local hummingbirds. If you are interested in making paper, well, this June, there will be opportunities in MD. http://www.facebook.com/LindaWildlifeArtist

March is just around the corner with lots more creativity going on and more company. Stay tuned to see what adventures we can find. Stay safe and warm! 

Hide And Seek

Starting out a new month with some new ideas for paintings and images to share for workshops. The last part of January Rick and I went camping at Patagonia Lake State Park. This area is known for the thousands of birds that live there, some part year (truly a snow-bird) and some are permanent residence.

We saw a Clark's grebe, our first sighting, and were told they are rare. Lots of heron's, great blue and green. Love drawing/painting herons, see one coming soon! It is good to feel like painting again, I have been struggling with wanting to work this winter. Cardinals were everywhere the males had their bright red coats on showing off for the ladies. The lake was full of coots, a small water bird, that literally runs on the water. I could not get a picture but next time we are there will spend some time waiting for this action, just because it was fun to watch and could make a fun drawing.

Here are a few photos from land and water. This is the "hide and seek" part...not that hard to find but hope you enjoy.

5,555

Five Thousand Five Hundred Fifty-Five
That is how many pictures it takes to do a road trip across the country and back.

I have been debating on continuing to do a blog this year. I was having a hard time keeping up with things last year. It was a hard year all around, personally, physically and emotionally. I am starting to get my head about water, as good a cliche as any. So, here we go first blog of the year.  I usually do some favorite photos from the year, sounds like that will be my jumping off point.

The last two years 2017 and 2018 we did cross country road trips. We have now been to all 50 states. There are still lots of places we want to see or go back to again. This passed September we picked up our little RV - "Ally" the Alto. We are still not sure if it is "Ally" or "Allie" feel free to weight in on that. Since we live in AZ we have not winterized her, as we plan to go on a few short trips here and there exploring different areas within the state. Might even go over to CA. We have already gone up to Cottonwood, near Sedona to Dead Horse State Park. I know terrible name but a nice park with good hiking, lots of birds, resident eagles, fishing and generally peaceful. We can start there and I will back track with some pictures taken this passed year on our road trip.

Road Runner - AZ

Aspen in CO, learned that they can turn red colors when there is drought conditions.

N.D. just a buffalo rolling in the grass. 

Sometimes it is just about the sky - east coast - MD.

Other times it is right outside your friends window in Middletown, MD.

Ending with just a splash of color from the North East in fall.