artful living summer color 2018

seeing

With a camera in my hand, I am suddenly visually alert - noticing much.
I become lost in the moment, immersed in the act of composing photos,
sometimes for painting reference,
and more often just because.

So here I share some, taken mostly in July 2018.

home

 

garden

My garden is my most beautiful masterpiece.
--Claude Monet


Mom's zinnias grown from seed this year.

 

a visitor

look closely in the image below...

 

lakeside living

The landscapes of water and reflections have become an obsession.
--Claude Monet


Many bumblebees sleep each night in my flowers - especially zinnias and dahlias. These guys are still groggy in the dewy coolness of morning.

 

fruitful abundance

There is something deeply satisfying to me about growing food and flowers.
Here are glimpses of the family garden.


Our "juliette" grape tomatoes are crazy big this year -- like romas.

 

summer's colors in summer's light

 

Everything I have earned has gone into these gardens.
--Claude Monet

 

 

 

 

plein air in the gardens

In July, I invited a few artist friends to come to the gardens and create. They could shoot photos or video, sketch, draw, paint, write... See more...

 

 

 

 

 

 

plein air and alla prima - in oils

This July was my first attempt working small in oils, outside, in one pass...

Read more...
 

 

 

 

 

pre-birthday party

My twin nephews' birthday lands while they'll be away at Dordt University (Defenders). So at the family pre-party,I made them ridiculous balloon swords and shields in college colors black and "gold" (and silver).


No humans or animals were harmed in this mock sword fight.
Photo credit A.J. Pullar (thanks!)

 

 

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