March 2018 – Page 4 – Ink, Yarn & Beer

Cactus, Shadows

It’s been awhile since my last post – just over a month. Part of that has been limited time because of a bunch of things going on in our lives, as well as a shift into focusing – and refocusing – on painting. There is not enough time in the day! But, a lot of times painting is an indoor activity, and I miss the outdoors. Cabin fever sets in.

Yesterday was finally a relatively taskless day (compared to every other day!), so I went to the bank, went to have a camera repaired, only to have it fixed right then and there by the store owner, and thence, on to the local botanical garden. With rain coming up today, I knew the garden would be closed to the public, and with rain forecast for the next few weeks, it will be closed for some time.

It was an absolutely lovely day, and I got a few good pictures of old friends, like ancient oaks and spring bulbs, and the cactus on the top of the hill.

Christmas Cactus

I got a new watercolor sketchbook the other day, a Pentalic spiral bound with 140# paper. I took it out to the patio and painted one of my Christmas cacti to see how the paint and paper responded. It’s pretty nice paper, and it was pleasant to sit outdoors for a bit before the rains hit tonight. This is also a study in direct watercolor – brush, paint, paper, without lines.

Tulips (Iron Gall Ink Sketch)

We had a leak in the house, and the result was scurrying around doing everything else but find time to even think or go to work. Finally, the leak was contained yesterday. Towels and such could be put away. Now we wait for insurance and contractors!

And finally, I can get back to drawing and painting. This morning, more tulips, done with iron gall ink, prior to applying some paint. Here ya go!

Tulips and Instagram Debut

Today my Instagram account is making its debut! I uploaded a picture of this sketch by phone to Instagram, but a phone picture is not the same as a scan. My Instagram account is (what else): journeybypaper. Not sure how it works, but it is here, to the right.

Spring Bulbs on Paper

Winter is leaving and the bulbs are emerging. In my own yard, freesias are in bloom, their sweet scent greeting me as I come and go from the house. Other bulbs are found in the stores, as cut flowers or in pots. Daffodils and tulips are the most common. Hyacinths are rare. Where I live, there is never snow on the ground, and if we are lucky, we get rain and a cold wind. Having grown up in the middle of blizzard country, I miss the bulbs – but I don’t miss the weather! So, here are some paintings of daffo-down-dillies and one of some tulips. None are great, but all were fun to do!