What's Up in the Studio- New Zinnia in Progress

Oh Zinnias, I just can't stop painting them- they always inspire me and here I am painting another!  I love these chartreuse ones paired with Black & Blue Salvia-I  just ADORE that color combination!  This painting is from a series of reference photos I took a couple of years ago for my "Green with Envy" painting but there were so many photos I wanted to use them again, here.

Much of this is just under painting, but you can get a basic idea of what it's going to look like:)  This canvas is the biggest I've ever worked with- it's 12" x 24" and a lot of the time, I work with it in my lap because my desk it just too small to accommodate two feet of canvas!

And I haven't added the ultramarine blue of the salvia yet- just their black throats, and again; under painting.....
Here's my reference; so you can see the blues

And here's the first painting I did from these photos:

 In this one, I changed the background from the turquoise that is my house, I really cannot remember now why, but I did and thus, struggled with it- first it was white, and then yellow (a brighter yellow)  and then gray and then white again until I finally laid in this soft yellow......for what ever reason, the background is usually the hardest part of any painting I do....weird, right?
This week, I had no time to do anything for Inspiration Avenue, but the emails have been pouring in all week from folks who did create something for the theme, "Celestial" -be sure to pop over there to see- as always, it's sure to be a gorgeous collection full of diversity and beauty!
For now, cheers!
Stephanie

It's A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.....

Our neighborhood is being torn apart street by street and put back together by the gas company.  They are updating their connections to each of the private residences.  As you can imagine, it's caused something of an uproar around here!  It started with mysterious spray paint markings up and down the streets.....

We *hear* that they will carefully dig up any plants that are in the way of their work and return them to their original  condition.  However, I KNOW Georgia dirt or as many call it CLAY takes a lot of time and effort to amend....and when you dig deeply enough, no matter how nice the top soil is, that's just what you hit and unless you work to turn it, that's what remains after the hole is filled in!  SO, I took pictures yesterday just in case I need to contest any changes.

 

 They marked the area at the base of this telephone pole..... So I'm wondering if they'll have to dig up my Otto Luken Laurel- it's not my favorite plant but it does add some nice structure :0)

 

Tho' you can't see it here, there's another mark across from this rose bush- the rose is Perle d'or and my favorite.....I really hope it's not in the line of fire!

Anyway, the reason I took these pics is I heard that last year, some of my neighbors had to threaten to sue before their garden was restored to it's original condition.  I know it might sound crazy, but I NEED like flowers- they are a major source of joy in my life- if I'm having a bad day, all I have to do is wander the garden and I'm instantly happier!

Here are some of the other pictures I took.....

 

An overview of the side garden; this Adirondack was a roadside salvage and soon it will be supporting another of my favorite roses; Jude the Obscure plus irises and Anemones, peonies and delphinium.....

 

Another view of Perle d'Or with a foxglove at it's base- that bloom is gonna be HUGE!  Also Coral Bells, more Delphinium and Peonies.

My daffodils haven't done as well this year, but the ones that have bloomed are pretty :)

So there's my documentation and I'll be like the crazy old lady on the street watching these workmen like a hawk- thanks for letting me vent!

Cheers,

Stephanie

Sisterhood of the Traveling (Sketch) Books

My friend Jaime at Artsyfartsyme is hosting a Round Robin of sketchbooks and she still needs 5 people to sign up!  I'm posting about it for several reasons, ONE- since I basically hounded her until she set it up, I feel like I should help in any way I can:) plus the fact that I WANT to help! TWO- I'm super excited about it and want to get started ASAP and THREE- she only needs 5 more people to get going!

 Altered Journal by Design 4 U

So here's the low down:

• We are going to have 10 open slots for this first time around (plus me and Jaime equals 12)

• The theme is the 12 months of the year
• Jaime will assign each person a month to create a 2 page spread based on the month they've been assigned
• We will each need to purchase a new sketch book for this project (we'll be mailing these, so keep size and weight in mind for mailing purposes.) 
• Each month, we'll mail the sketchbook we've been working on to the next person on the list
  
• At the end of the 12 months, we'll receive our original sketchbooks filled with art for each month of the year!

Exploration Journal by Altered Alchemy

It might sound like a lot of work- but really it's not- it's one 2 page spread a month- plus if we just do variations on our designs for each spread- then we don't have to come up with a completely new design for each sketchbook!
I'm planning on making mine into a garden journal with pages between each month for notes, plans and pictures........
don't you want to have a Round Robin sketchbook too?  Oh and one more thing- it's going to be international- two of the artists are from the UK and Australia- how COOL is that?

So if you're interested, pop over to this post at Jaime's blog to sign up- but hurry, there are only 5 slots left!

TTFN,

Stephanie

 

Altered Journal by Vintage Snaps and Scraps

Atlanta Flower Show Always So inspiring

My Mom and I went the Southeastern Flower show this weekend and it SO much fun!  There were 7 mini gardens designed by landscape professionals- Home Depot always manages to do one and usually it's fun just to make fun of; but this year, theirs was my favorite because it has so many great ideas!  There were also lots of other themed displays like outdoors table settings, window boxes, entry ways to doors and so much more!  The theme was "In Tune With Nature" and there were so many neat interpretations.....

 

 Lot's fun puns in titles...

This was my favorite entryway design- I reminded me of when we lived in St. Croix and had Papaya Trees in the back yard.....

I love flowers and edibles combined

Oooh Another One of My OWOH Beauties Has Arrived......

Lorraine of Creative Daily made this incredibly, gorgeously beautiful folder for one of her OWOH giveaways and I was lucky enough to WIN it!  There is so much attention to details and color and each separate element flows so beautifully to the next- really, it's too nice to be called a folder- I have not decided what I'll be using it for, but you can BET that I'll have it placed somewhere that I can enjoy looking at it each day!
She also packed it so nicely in a handmade envelope illustrating the words One World, One Heart- I haven't taken a picture of it yet, but I'll share it soon....
For now, hugs to you- my bloggety friends!
Stephanie

Weekly Challenge at Inspiration Avenue: "Breathe"

Here's my entry for this week's challenge at Inspiration Avenue- the theme was "Breathe" and I wanted to do something a bit free-er than my usual stuff- sometimes I get too caught up in the details and I need to let my hair down.  This lady was many things before she got to this point.  At first I wanted her to be Ophelia, BUT, too much dictating from me, or so my muse said.  SO I gave her a tail- uh uh, no good, then somehow her hair turned into stylized water and she ended up wearing a wedding kind of gown and here she is......her face is a bit sweeter than I want it, and I probably (foolishly) will play around with it a bit more, but for now (for better or worse?) she is ready for Inspiration Avenue.
Here is "Remembering to Breathe"

So there you have it- for once, I'm not flying in under the wire with my entry for the challenge.  Make sure to check out what everyone else has done for the week, or better yet; submit your own interpretation for "Breathe" it's always fun and you just may win something!
Cheers!
Stephanie

Just like Christmas morning......

I was lucky enough to win four prizes at One World One Heart this year and the first one arrived in the mail yesterday.  Ya'll might have caught on by now that I love flowers, especially roses- and I won this gorgeous mixed media ATC called, "Lady Rose" how perfect is that?  It has layer upon layer of all the things that make a garden a beutiful place to be, roses (of course) butterflies, bees, garden jewelry and of course, a queen to reside over her miniature kingdom!

I knew it would be wonderful, but the picture just doesn't do it justice- I LOVE it!  She is now holding court in the window over my desk until my studio is ready for a more permenant placement.
Stop by and check out Laura's other beauties at Artfully Musing- she has an incredible eye for layers of color, texture and detail with just a touch of sparkle- absolutely beautiful work!
I'll be back later to post my Inspiration Avenue entry- I know, I can't believe I'm early either ;)
Cheers,
Stepanie