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Posted on May 1, 2007July 6, 2008 by Myfrenchkitchen

A handful of happiness

“Je porte bonheur”.. .says this little bunch of muguets(lily of the valley). A beautiful custom in France is to give a small bouquet of these to anyone and everyone you want to, on the 1st of May, that way, wishing good luck and happiness to all. Of course it is also a public holiday..worker’s day I think in English. Since I love the idea, I’m offering this bouquet of muguets to all EDM- friends – to those with special projects for May, like a drawing a day, to those who have a work on exhibit, to those who wish to exhibit, to those whom we’re voting for everyday, to those who are wonderful professional artists, to those who are doing art for the fun and joy it brings them, to those who started up this great site, to those who keep it up faithfully and in great spirit week after week, to those who add fun and joy , originality, spirit and character to this art site….to all who participate and bring beauty to look at, inspiring words to read, jokes to laugh at, advice to grow….to all at EDM; wishes of happiness to you all in this beautiful month of May!

35 comments:

น้ำธรรมดา said…: It’s very beautiful …
i like your work..
Don’t you mind if i add you to be my link.
Thank you 😉; May 1, 2007 11:30 AM
Kunya said…: Hi Ronell, thanks… I like this idea. We have this custom in Belgium too, although I do not see this as much anymore…maybe one reason is these little flowers are far to overpriced this day. I realy like this drawing.; May 1, 2007 11:39 AM
Laureline said…: Merci, Ronell! Et a vous, aussi, mes voeux de bonheur!; May 1, 2007 11:46 AM
Pequete said…: Thank you Ronell, I found you through EDM and I love your work – I actually identify a lot with it, since I also love working with watercolours and ink. I’ll be visiting you often!; May 1, 2007 12:21 PM
Lin said…: WOWZA!! What a wonderful tradition and even more glorious painting!!! THANK YOU!! You’ve begun the month in splendor!; May 1, 2007 12:31 PM
Tonniece said…: Hi Ronell
I love this tradition, I only wish they did that here in Canada. And to make it even more special My Birthday is this mo. so THANK YOU.
As always you painting is wonderful.; May 1, 2007 1:24 PM
Felicity said…: Beautiful painting as always Ronell, those tiny flowers look so cute! I’ve seen these lily of the valley all over the shops recently – is it the tradition to give only those? I would never have known if it wasn’t for your post, thank you. Hope you have a super day!; May 1, 2007 2:17 PM
jill said…: beautiful work. thank you for the great way to start “may day”!; May 1, 2007 4:10 PM
Bonny said…: Ronell, this tradition is also in parts of Italy. When my husband first began dating me, he looked through all the flower shops in the city to find me un petit bouquet de muguets. They are not usually sold in shops here in Canada. They are easier to find in the garden, but by now they are past their season here on the west coast. Thank you for such a lovely reminder of a very beautiful tradition.; May 1, 2007 4:40 PM
Sandy said…: Thank you Ronell – I picked a sprig of Lilly of the Valley on this morning’s walk. May 1 is my grandmother’s birthday (deceased) and I have very fond memories of picking bouquets of these tiny flowers from her huge patch in her back yard AND I intended to sketch them today in her honor!! What a coincidence! I love the holiday you have attached to them and ON this date. Merci!!; May 1, 2007 6:13 PM
Sarah said…: What a beautiful gesture – in every way!; May 1, 2007 6:15 PM
juj said…: What a wonderful tradition and such a fabulous painting. You’ve captured them perfectly. Thank you for sharing. Sadly, I’m afraid these are the only lily of the valley I will get to see this year as ours got snapped by a late frost. Would it be possible for you to send along a little of the sweet fragrance as well?? (grin); May 1, 2007 6:31 PM
Ujwala said…: good luck and happiness to you too! nice to learn about different traditions and customs. great ink ‘n wash.; May 1, 2007 6:31 PM
Deborah said…: Thank you very much! When I was a kid we always celebrated May Day, also the 1st, by picking our mothers roses and leaving flowers for all the neighbors inclucing mom of course!; May 1, 2007 6:40 PM
Genine said…: Ronell,Beautiful drawing and a big thank you for bringing this holiday to my attention. It has definitely brightened a gray day here. I think I’ll stop on my way home and pick some up.; May 1, 2007 7:12 PM
bec said…: Thank you Ronell!
Happy May day to you too! (that’s what we call it here in the US). Nobody gets a day off though. My lily- of-the-valley aren’t in bloom yet. They usually start blooming around mother’s day… May 13. another week or two. I always give a bouquet of them to my mother!
I like the transparent quality of your painting.Bec; May 1, 2007 7:37 PM
Robyn said…: Beautiful idea, beautiful brushwork. Thank goodness you have sent me these, because I didn’t get any others. What have I done?!;); May 1, 2007 8:22 PM
Dave said…: That’s a very generous sentiment, and a lovely painting. Thank you!; May 1, 2007 9:19 PM
Africantapestry said…: Thanks to everybody!
Ronell; May 1, 2007 9:27 PM
Carole said…: Thank you, Ronell! And a happy May Day to you too. This is a beautiful painting and a joyful sentiment which I most wholeheartedly echo.Now then – how did you manage to hold this and paint it at the same time? 🙂; May 1, 2007 10:15 PM
platitudinal said…: Thank you for the beautiful May Day posy, Ronell. And all the good hearted and gracious wishes that comes with it. Thank you 😉; May 2, 2007 12:01 AM
martín said…: Ronell, there’s not much to add. The others have already said it all for me. Beautiful drawing and WCs, as always, and a REALLY BIG THANK YOU for your sincere wishes! All the best to you too.; May 2, 2007 2:38 AM
Stacy said…: Ronell, what a lovely painting and a lovely sentiment! We don’t have this tradition in the United States. I wish we did!! I am glad I at least got to experience it here.; May 2, 2007 3:07 AM
Linda said…: Beautiful custom and beautiful painting! You have a great sense of color and value — you always get your darks just right. And in this piece, it makes the little flowers look all the sweeter. Again, beautiful!
🙂; May 2, 2007 4:00 AM
nik said…: Ronell, they are wonderful. We have some of them in the garden, but I did not manage to draw them. Perhaps today.; May 2, 2007 6:20 AM
mARTa said…: I smiled this morning when i read your post and saw the lovely lilies. It’s my 31st wedding anniversary today so I tucked the tiny flowers near my heart and thought of what happiness this life has brought me. thank you for the reminder:); May 2, 2007 7:46 AM
caseytoussaint said…: what a nice idea, and a beautiful painting.; May 2, 2007 12:42 PM
Ben said…: Merci beaucoup…c’est tres jolie…and thats all my five years of french have done for both of us:>; May 2, 2007 1:21 PM
mchunt@wctel.net said…: Merci beaucoup…c’est tres jolie…and thats all my five years of french have done for both of us:; May 2, 2007 1:28 PM
Lindsay said…: Aw,Ronell, what a lovely gift. THanks so much for the beautiful bouquet and words. Happy May 1!; May 2, 2007 3:59 PM
phthaloblu said…: What a beautiful custom and even more beautiful sentiments! Merci beaucoup! Forgive my rusty, stunted French.; May 2, 2007 5:40 PM
Emma Pod said…: This is a beautiful little sketch! Happy May to you and may you have a wonderful summer playing tennis!; May 2, 2007 11:43 PM
Mommy Bee said…: Ronell,Thank you so much. Your thoughtfulness, and beautiful bouquet really touched me.As a child growing up, my mom taught my brother and I to make “May Day” baskets. We would hand make a little basket out paper and put little wild flowers in them. Then we would go ding-dong-ditch the neighbors…Leaving behind only the flower loaded basket.Thank you for the memory, and sharing your custom. Not so different from mine ;-).; May 3, 2007 8:49 PM
suzanne said…: Thank you so much for such a beautiful sentiment! May you have a wonderful day as well.; May 4, 2007 3:08 AM
E-J said…: And we say “thank you for the muguet” 😀 This is a lovely post, Ronell, and a lovely sketch. I am reminded of the lily-of-the-valley perfume my grandmother used to wear … I haven’t thought of it for years … thank you.

Posted on April 24, 2007June 27, 2008 by Myfrenchkitchen

Watering cans and dainty shoes

In art class this afternoon, Casey set up a still life outside…after we enjoyed a delicious lunch of Courgette soup with sesame seeds, followed by a wonderful tomato, coriander and pine nut quiche and ended with strawberries and blood orange dessert and madeleines…I hope you are all drooling now..

It was tough getting into drawing afterwards, but we did the best we could. We had a friend there whose shoes we all admired, so she unceremoniously stacked her shoes as part of the still life….

I wanted to try a different medium today. The first one is done in a walnut stain wash and then finished off with pen and conte in different colors on Arches HP. Although not the right medium for those dainty shoes, I did it nonetheless, since I haven’t worked with it before. I do like the medium and will definitely experiment more.

I thought I owed it to those shoes to make them look kind of pretty, so the second is done in pen and watercolor on Arches HP. The composition is a bit off in both cases, among other things, but let’s say I felt like watching the world go by rather than joining it. (See what Judi says about this “watching the world buzz by”… http://everythingiscontextual.blogspot.com/2007/04/work-is-for-birds.html

Teri C said…: Well first, I am drooling reading about that wonderful lunch. Then I went right into amazement over that new paint and then into awe over those shoes!! Yo all have so much fun on your art dates!! Wish I could join you.; April 24, 2007 9:23 PM
Lin said…: What a juxtaposition of materials –!! And yet all treated beautifully by your hand!! LOVELY LOVELY LOVELY!; April 24, 2007 9:30 PM
Dave said…: ovely work, and what amazing shoes! That must have been a fun day.; April 24, 2007 9:44 PM
caseytoussaint said…: Wow, that was fast! These look great. I’m really impressed with what you did with the ‘brou de noix’ I’m going to have to try that.; April 24, 2007 9:55 PM
Lynn said…: Whoa, those shoes rock! What a happy, quirky composition this turned out to be. You did an outstanding job on both paintings.; April 24, 2007 11:50 PM
janey said…: I like this both very much. Same scene but so different because of the color and medium. And what a neat idea to add shoes to the still life.; April 25, 2007 12:10 AM
Lindsay said…: I like them both but I like the walnut wash one best! Gives it an air of Morrocan Mystery. And btw, you guys are having entirely TOO much fun! What foodies you are!!! Yes, I am drooling and I even just finished dinner.; April 25, 2007 1:55 AM
Brenda Y said…: What a fabulous lunch and an even more fantastic art session. I love both of these and can’t say which I like best. I DO like the dainty shoes thrown in, they are unexpected as if they were kicked off in favor of gardening.; April 25, 2007 2:54 AM
Nancy Van Blaricom said…: This is my first time visiting your blog and web-site and what joy it’s been. I love your watercolors and the way you use color … what a delightful touch your drawing and paintings have.; April 25, 2007 2:56 AM
mARTa said…: well, first of all….I love the one in brou de noix best…it’s mysterious. Second…..I am thrilled that I’ll be able to share one of those wonderful meals with both of you in just a few months!; April 25, 2007 4:42 AM
soulcomfort said…: Just wandered through your blog and love your work!! I aspire…. 🙂; April 25, 2007 5:45 AM
platitudinal said…: I like the monochromatic look of the first painting with walnut stain. Each object seems to compliment each other and no one competes for the sole attention — even those pretty shoes in the middle. It gives a feeling of harmony.On the second painting, there’s no doubt who is the star of the picture … before I read your writing, I thought those were the sandals you use when you’re gardening. Fancy Ronell! Hehe. Bzzzzzzzz …; April 25, 2007 12:44 PM
E-J said…: Great juxtaposition. Imagine gardening in those shoes! 🙂 Each of these is lovely in its own, quite different, way. Forgive my ignorance, but what is a walnut stain wash?; April 25, 2007 3:26 PM
artnewbie said…: Thanks for stopping by my blog, and for your kind comments. Well, I just love these pictures, especially the dark stain one – exotic, and such fun! Diane.; April 25, 2007 7:08 PM
suzanne said…: These are both gorgeous. I’m particularly drawn to the first one. Though the walnut wash isn’t necessarily “dainty” it realy allows the shoes to shine. You do a wonderful job of adding highlights which helps a whole lot. Oh, and your meal sounds wonderful as well…sure beats my subway sandwich!; April 25, 2007 7:51 PM
Robyn said…: Is walnut stain what I think it is? Something one rubs into one’s skirting board! Whatever it is, is is so effective and I adore the shoes. It must be the French influence to wear such shoes to art class!; April 26, 2007 7:56 PM
andrea joseph’s sketchblog said…: osh this whole post is just fantastic. I love the top picture Ronell – but then I am always taken by anything in sepia tones. Really stunning.; April 27, 2007 1:45 AM
Diahn said…: Wonderful – I have to echo the others’ love of the juxtaposition of the items in the still life – and I have to envy those SHOES!!! :DIsn’t it grand to have an art buddy? Lucky you!; April 27, 2007 4:45 AM
aPugsLife-laserone said…: REALLY beautiful pieces! I’m amazed that you used a walnut stain, it turned out incredible! 🙂; April 27, 2007 9:07 AM
Sarah said…: i love the contrast between the delicate beaded shoes, and the watering can. This is a great image, beautifully executed. Like the sepia version too; April 27, 2007 2:52 PM
phthaloblu said…: Those shoes are so very dainty and pretty! Nice job on both of these sketches. Thanks alot for the food cravings!; April 27, 2007 3:41 PM
Jana Bouc said…: Wow! These are both fabulous. I love your work and woke up this morning thinking about and picturing your menu paintings from the last time I visited.

Posted on April 23, 2007July 6, 2008 by Myfrenchkitchen

The details of a wisteria

The wisterias are magnificent now, their beauty cascading over walls and pergolas and trees and gates, windows and towers, roofs and even pathways. I just had to take on a painting or two, try and capture a little of their glory.

I tried twice again, not being too happy with the first try. I took on another corner, more “architectural”, more detailed, brighter colors, with which I am quite content..it feels like “me”.

And I just can’t get away from it- detail- I need detail. Without it, I can’t stress. I can’t be obsessive compulsive. Without detail in my life, I can’t experience beauty. I can’t create beauty. Without detail, life is very foggy and leaves only an impression of what might be out there…very much like the first painting of these wisterias.

Watercolor and ink on Arches HP
23 x 31cm (9″ x 12″)

14 comments:

Fanta said…

Wonderful again, Ronell. I love the way the shadows “dance” on the wall surface created by your careful layering, especially in the first one.
Have a great Sunday!

April 22, 2007 2:01 PM

Lindsay said…

I like how you do these a couple of times! Lovely job.
I’ve been trying to get my wisteris to bloom for YEARS. Stubborn things refuse to flower.

April 22, 2007 5:14 PM

Teri C said…

You are persistant arn’t you! The signs of a good detail person….I recognize it because that’s me too.Those wisteria are wonderfu and beautiful. So glad you persisted to your satisfaction.BTW, I was just reading about creativity and a detail person is called “bios’ or the dteails of life, and the person that has an overview of things is called ‘zoe’ or the essence of life.

Hmm, I bet that is more information than you wanted! 🙂

April 22, 2007 6:43 PM

Lin said…

GORGEOUS GORGEOUS GORGEOUS!!!! The frost nipped ours and I haven’t seen much since then — so I am thoroughly enjoying yours!! Did you know you can eat the flowers?? BUT ABSOLUTELY NOT THE SEEDS!!

April 22, 2007 11:13 PM

Lin said…

PS — I’M RIGHT THERE WITH YOU AND DETAIL … MAKES ME SO UNCOMFORTABLE WHEN I LEAVE IT OUT!!! Hard to learn to live with simlicity — i do love the detail!!! lol

April 22, 2007 11:14 PM

Dave said…

I love wisteria, and you’ve really captured it in these lovely pictures!

April 22, 2007 11:36 PM

beautiful! i LOVE wisteria and the draping laziness of it. great pictures!

April 23, 2007 1:59 AM

Nancy said…

Love the wisteria – I, too, have been trying to get mine to bloom – they are 9 years old now. Is there any hope?These a gorgeous!

April 23, 2007 5:13 AM

aPugsLife-laserone said…

Oh my gosh, I just love these! My favorite is the first one. I’m such a sucker for blue. Very beautiful! 🙂

April 23, 2007 9:26 AM

caseytoussaint said…

These are both beautiful, but the second one does more to convey the delicacy of wisteria – such a tough subject.

April 23, 2007 10:59 AM

Sandy said…

I love Wisteria and mine is huge, but never blooms !!!!! I want to paint them too!!! Just Lovely! You have been busy!

April 23, 2007 5:07 PM

Carole said…

I’m another wisteria fan, and I agree that you’ve really got the essence of wisteria in this second painting. The twisted branches and those wonderful long cascades of blue/lilac flowers. I once painted the detail of just one of those tiny little flowers – I may post it on my blog.

April 23, 2007 10:55 PM

phthaloblu said…

I understand all about detail. Yep! As much as I try to get away from it, I am only happy when it looks like what I’m looking at. These are both so beautiful. I love wisteria, too, the way it hangs and looks. It’s all around my house, but not in my yard. Wonderfully done.

April 24, 2007 3:15 PM

platitudinal said…

Thank you for your unrelenting pursue of details, we all benefit from it and get to enjoy the beauty you created based from your search.*Honestly speaking, though, Ronell, I think both takes of the wisterias are appealing. 🙂

Posted on April 18, 2007July 6, 2008 by Myfrenchkitchen

Three times different

These are the results of my drawing afternoon with Casey yesterday. I tried something different to get out of my rut and ran into all kinds of trouble. Not that I can define “something different”…

The first one is just plain ugly and I’ve deleted it a few times from the blog, but decided finally to keep it. I wanted so many things fitted in and I chose the smallest format. I didn’t even complete it, just grabbed a brush pen and filled in some rough lines.

After Casey had left, I gave it another try, obstinate to get this scene in my pocket! I don’t feel much for this sketch…proportions are completely wrong, some ugly darks, even more cramped, in spite of a bigger format. Overall just a bad, disturbing painting that makes me want to come up for air.The third one I did this afternoon and decided it would be now or never. The plants need to get into the ground. I was still obstinate, so I kept to the same scene. I used an even larger format and this time I did use all the space. There is still too much detail and finicky pieces and not enough depth, but this it! I still can’t say what it is I wanted to do differently. I at least hope this last one broke my spell.

Watercolor on Fabriano HP. See Casey’s painting from yesterday, she also tried something different…take a look http://caseytoussaint.wordpress.com/

16 comments:

Dave said…: You’re too hard on yourself! And anyway, trying something different is always with doing!; April 18, 2007 10:21 PM
bec said…: I like the way you made the table and chair less of a focal point in the third try….it doesn’t compete for attention. I want a table and chair set like the one you painted. I bet your garden is beautiful!; April 19, 2007 1:26 AM
Lindsay said…: I love them all! This was a hard subject and your really stuck with it. I wish I could come out with you and Casey!! Lucky you.
p.s. This is supposed to be “FUN”.
No being mean to yourself!; April 19, 2007 2:56 AM
Brenda Y said…: Third time is the CHARM! I really like this! It’s so “SPRING.” Truly, this would look fantastic framed and hung on a sun porch. I love all the objects (particularly fond of the hat) and the pop of color from the pot of flowers is just perfect.
Thanks for posting all three! It’s really encouraging to see the progression and perseverance!!; April 19, 2007 3:21 AM
Teri C said…: Bravo to you for your persistance. I love the third one but I also like the other ones too. It looks like a difficult subject, and I’m sure you learned a lot on the way.; April 19, 2007 4:51 AM
caseytoussaint said…: Ronell, all three of these came out great. I don’t think the first one is ugly at all, as a matter of fact I think it’s full of charm. On the second one you’ve done an incredible job on the chair – you can just feel the texture of the metal basketweave, and the third is light and airy.
You have a distinctive style in watercolor, very elegant and yet relaxed(very French somehow) that brings to mind illustrations from the 1950s.; April 19, 2007 8:21 AM
Carole said…: Actually, I really like the quality of the lines on the first one, and I also like the tones of the wash. The third one has a nice quality of light to it, and I love the flowers, particularly the flower on the hat. It’s a beautiful composition overall, so well done for sticking with it! I think it bore fruit, don’t you?; April 19, 2007 2:36 PM
Sandy said…: Glorious taste of springtime, I love your work and envy you and Casey and your challenge/committment – Can’t wait to see them each week, who knows maybe I can join in some time.; April 19, 2007 8:11 PM
platitudinal said…: What a dedicated artist you are! I love all of them. And, I’m glad you posted all of your tries. Each one has something special that the other doesn’t have.; April 20, 2007 12:35 PM
Jana Bouc said…: Good for you to keep going until you get what you were striving for. The funny thing is that my favorite is the first one. I know it didn’t capture the look you wanted but it’s still a wonderful piece. The last one is technically better but the first one is full of energy and expressiveness somehow. They’re all worthy of appreciation though and not at all ugly!; April 20, 2007 6:06 PM
Ujwala said…: All three are wonderful but I too especially like the first one.All the best with your new goal.; April 20, 2007 8:50 PM
mARTa said…: well, the first one has it’s own charm, What I like about the 2nd one is the chair and compositon. The 3rd is light and airy and just as lovely.
So where is France are you and Casey? I will be in paris for 8 days in October…just roaming and skething…maybe we can meet and paint?; April 22, 2007 1:54 AM
aPugsLife-laserone said…: These are really great! I love how determined you are. 🙂 🙂; April 22, 2007 4:21 AM
Linda said…: Well, I love the last one, so I guess the third time is the charm, although I don’t know how you did three paintings of the same thing — all in a row! I would have been pulling my hair out!
🙂 All three have their good bits, though, as I think has been well stated by earlier commenters.; April 22, 2007 2:26 PM
Africantapestry said…: thank you for all the comments…much apprecaited!
Ronell; April 22, 2007 4:29 PM
phthaloblu said…: Don’t be so hard on yourself. Any time you step outside your comfort zone, you are going to be challenged. Not only on how you see your subject, but on how you interpret it also. I think these are wonderful little sketches. Keeping playing with them and something will come out of it that will satisfy you. Just remember, it’s always a learning experience.

Posted on April 16, 2007July 6, 2008 by Myfrenchkitchen

Come on, just do it!

Five things from my bathroom. Carole said so. (http://www.carolekirk.com/ I could only get to four. I struggled almost the whole day, but I’ve done it and I feel good. Great they are not, but I’m happy. Wonderful feeling of achievement! It was so great having someone tell me: “This is what you need to do, do it” Not thinking or planning or finding something…I just did it. Next time it will be better. Thank you, Carole.

I dedicate this to all of you who were encouraging and supportive, may I do the same to you when you need it.

Pen and watercolor, Arches HP. Click on images to enlarge.

19 comments:

Dave said…: Good for you! There are some lovely touches in those sketches too. The shine on the pitcher, the shadow on the stand, etc. Enjoyed looking at them!; April 16, 2007 9:31 PM
Claudia said…: …I like the spontaneity and freshness of the sketches!-(I’m still working on that for myself…); April 16, 2007 9:51 PM
Sandy said…: Fabulous, I just Love your technic, so light and fresh but with great depth and personality – GREAT!; April 16, 2007 10:05 PM
Carole said…: Hey! Good work. I just love how you do those watercolour washes. You have such a light touch. The chair and bowl/pitcher is particularly nice. Looks like you’ve got a beautiful bathroom there!; April 16, 2007 10:37 PM
Teri C said…: Gosh, each one is a winner! Just wonderful!; April 17, 2007 3:36 AM
Brenda Y said…: Fantastic!! My fav is the chair with the pitcher and bowl and plant–what luscious lines and soft colors. By George, I do believe you’ve got your groove back!!; April 17, 2007 6:12 AM
Jana Bouc said…: These all have such elegance and beauty. It looks like you’ve found your inspiration again!; April 17, 2007 7:38 AM
MrsSnowy said…: What a spectacular comeback! My favourite is the chair with basin and pitcher. Goodness, if I tried to find inspiration in out bathroom it would spin me into instant depression – not the finest room in our house!; April 17, 2007 11:00 AM
platitudinal said…: Wow, these are beautiful sketches. If not for the toilet paper rolls and towels sketch, I will keep on forgetting that these are paintings of your bathroom!; April 17, 2007 2:51 PM
artnewbie said…: Lovely! What great style you have.; April 17, 2007 3:43 PM
Lin said…: YEAH!! AND WHAT A GLORIOUS JOB YOU DID!!!!! Hope it broke your uninspired spell and that Madam Muse is sitting on your shoulder!; April 17, 2007 5:10 PM
bec said…: I love the stuff in YOUR bathroom!; April 17, 2007 7:49 PM
Africantapestry said…: Thank you for the comments…I am back to working, almost repeating everything twice in order to get something that is half decent, but that is OK.
Ronell; April 17, 2007 11:46 PM
Ujwala said…: i’m away on holiday and hadnt been to your blog in a while. lots of wonderful work since I last visited and these 3 from your bathroom are super too.; April 18, 2007 6:13 AM
E-J said…: Lovely little sketches. What an elegant bathroom you have, Ronell! Your watercolour style is very distinctive. And you’re so prolific!; April 18, 2007 12:48 PM
caseytoussaint said…: Ronell, these are beautiful! You’ve combined your wonderful drawing skills with your decorating talent and it’s a great combination.; April 18, 2007 6:19 PM
“Maggie” said…: Wow, the chandelier is lovely and the reflections really make this a great piece. I love all the intricate inked lines.; April 21, 2007 3:22 PM
Africantapestry said…: thanks!
Ronell; April 22, 2007 4:30 PM
phthaloblu said…: Once again, beautiful sketches! Love the light best of all.

Posted on April 10, 2007July 6, 2008 by Myfrenchkitchen

The green corners of an April garden

April is gardening month. From middle March to middle April I have no nails, no soft hands, a broken back, tennis elbows in both arms, arthritis in my thumbs, I shuffle like an old woman and I smell of compost. All because of the love for a garden.

I have only white and blue/purple in my garden and of course green.Then I have one stubborn red tulip. For three years I’ve had that tulip showing up every April. For three years I’ve cut it off as soon as it flowered, put the flower in a vase, dug up the bulb and gave it to a friend. Just to repeat the process the following year. I’ve accepted the red tulip in my garden now. It is in a vase in my bedroom, I’ve dug up the bulb to give to a friend and I’ll wait for it next year.

I struggled with these sketches. I can’t get all these nuances of green down in a flattering manner. It all looks messy. Maybe it is too much green on one go…I do actually feel a little sick. SoI’ll take my leave now.

Pen and watercolor on Arches hp.
17 comments:

Kunya said…: Well, I realy like those drawings. You must have a wonderful garden…and to me it isn’t messy at all!; April 10, 2007 7:16 PM
shirley said…: These are really wonderful. I love the various items you have in your garden and the meticulous depiction of chicken wire!; April 10, 2007 8:01 PM
Sandy said…: Oh My Lord you made me laugh!!! I am right there with you girl. The sketches are lovely, light and luscious. Would love to see that rouge tulip too.
Perhaps a progression of sketches in the garden will follow?!; April 10, 2007 8:42 PM
caseytoussaint said…: These are beautiful sketches Ronell. And Sandy, I have to tell you, she does have a very beautiful garden!; April 10, 2007 8:47 PM
aPugsLife-laserone said…: Wow, really nice! I love the one w/ the face in the middle. That one gave me a double-take. Beautiful. 🙂; April 10, 2007 10:17 PM
Jan said…: I see you have a beautiful and interesting garden and a great blog. Thanks for visiting mine. What an interesting garden!; April 10, 2007 10:19 PM
Lin said…: WHAT UNUSUAL GARDEN PIECES!! BEAUTIFUL!!!! And that red tulip — what a hilarious story! Yep, we’d be in trouble together! Gardening and sketching!! GREAT JOB!; April 10, 2007 11:22 PM
Carole said…: There are so many wonderful watercolour effects here – I have no idea how you’ve done them, but I really like them. I also like the various little faces peeping out of these sketches.; April 10, 2007 11:31 PM
Karen said…: I know how you feel – I was pulling out old vines in my backyard today – oh my back!Very nice sketches, I’m sure they help bring some comfort!; April 11, 2007 10:12 AM
Africantapestry said…: Thank you everybody, I appreciate the time and effort put into leaving a comment..Sandy, I’ll probably do more sketches as the garden grows month by month…the summers provide so much fun subjects in and around our gardens!
Ronell; April 11, 2007 10:46 AM
platitudinal said…: I am already impressed by your artistic ability. And now, you further impressed me with your green thumb. Are these sketches from your garden? Oooohhh-aaaahhhh, so many lovelies to be found in your garden! I shouldn’t be surprised … you seem to exude beauty all around you.*Send that tulip my way, Ronell, I’m sure I can kill it in a second. My mom said that I’m the only person she knows who can kill a cactus!; April 11, 2007 12:33 PM
Laura said…: They say every room should have a touch of red, so maybe the same thing holds true for gardens! (Though I don’t remember seeing anything red in the white garden at Sissinghurst ;D.) Your cool and subtle palette works very well indoors and out!; April 11, 2007 2:12 PM
Brenda Y said…: WOW! I love your sketches – I do hope you do more of your garden!! I especially like the water feature, I can almost hear the tinkling of the water.
How hilarious about the tulip! After you dig up the bulb, someone must be sneaking a new bulb in the ground while you sleep – ha.; April 11, 2007 4:26 PM
phthaloblu said…: These are beautiful! I don’t think they are messy at all.; April 11, 2007 5:46 PM
ksklein said…: I hope I don`t offend you with my comment. But somehow your second pic reminds me of HULK. 🙂 Specially because I went to an exhibition tod;) and one of the artists topic was Hulk. Maybe I`m crazy! 😉; April 11, 2007 11:15 PM
Robin Neudorfer said…: What a lovely place to practice something that is enjoyable. There is nothing as special as honoring your riches. I love how you captured the water in your last painting, and the effect that you created on the front leaves. Continue doing what works and explore with what you want to improve. Seems like you are on the right path.; April 12, 2007 5:35 PM
Africantapestry said…: Thanks Robin….and ks klein, no I’m not in the least offended and yes, I can now also see how it might come from Hulk. To tell the truth, I felt a bit like the hulk after I’ve done all this green! Thanks for the comment.
Ronell

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