Dove and Moth Grey hat and scarf / shawl

Dove and Moth Grey hat and scarf / shawl, a photo by megan_n_smith_99 on Flickr.

In the interest in trying to finish projects I've been knitting warm clothing in summer. Though actually summer nights can get nippy in the NW so I may get some use of these things before fall. This a wide scarf / shawl I've knitted and a matching hat. The hat is trimmed with Hanah silk velvet ribbon. Now if I can get some sewing projects finished...

Birds!

Birds!, a photo by megan_n_smith_99 on Flickr.

Good Morning! It's a beautiful day in Ballard and I am trying to decide if I want to venture out or not. It's the Seafood Festival so my neighborhood is bound to be brimming with people. I am surprised I can't smell salmon from where I am. There is also a Lutefisk eating contest, of course, but I won't be going to that! A relative of mine who was visiting from Norway won it one year. He just thought it was lunch!

I've got 2 new jaunty little birds listed on Etsy. River Bird, and Red Bird, they are each 5 x 5"

Anemone Forest

Anemone Forest, a photo by megan_n_smith_99 on Flickr.

Yesterday was a pretty good day. I had a job interview and I think it went ok. At least it did not go badly! We will see if I make it to round 2. There was no point in going home right after since I had a doctor's appointment later, so I leisurely wandered through the bookstore / art supply store. I got a few brushes and 2 new watercolor trays but I am pleased to say I did not feel a desire to cling hoard art supplies because really I have a lot of them!

Later I came home and finished this painting and read. I am reading a book called The Grimm Legacy by Polly Shulman. It's quite good. An original quirky fantasy that sort of reminds me of a cross between Warehouse 13 and the Sisters Grimm series - but really is quite original.

Anemone Forest
8 x 10 inches
watercolor on paper
available on Etsy

Sunset Deer

Sunset Deer, a photo by megan_n_smith_99 on Flickr.

Well, it was Independence Day in the US yesterday but I did not do much. Traditionally it is the day to BBQ and blow things up. I am ok with BBQ but blowing things up does not especially interest me. I felt bad for all the firefighters and rescue workers who had a VERY busy day yesterday (not only fireworks related issues but water rescues as well, it being boating season.)

So I just went to the park with a blanket and lay around and read a bit. Then I came home and started painting. This is my latest. I am not sure where the moody sort of 70s-ish color schemes are coming from. Even if I plan a specific color scheme it seems my brush goes where it will on my pallet and the ending is sometimes a surprise!

What colors are you drawn to right now? What colors do you think will be "popular" in the coming months? I am seeing a lot of grey and yellow together recently.

Sunset Deer
5 x 7 inches
watercolor and ink on paper
available on etsy.

Kaleidoscope

Kaleidoscope, a photo by megan_n_smith_99 on Flickr.

Happy Independence Day, if you live in the United States. Though really given how the US was colonized and all the sorrow that came about back then AND my dislike of loud exploding things I can't say it's my favorite holiday. I know I sound like a grumpy old lady! Fireworks are illegal in the city limits of Seattle but of course people set them off anyway and the last few evenings have been punctuated by bangs and sirens.

Ok, I will stop being grumpy now. For the record I FULLY support of 4th of July picnics - especially if there are cupcakes and lemonade - though I have not been invited to any, so I might just go to the park on my own in a little while.

This is my most recent painting:
Kaleidoscope
5 by 7 inches
Watercolor on paper
Available on etsy

I should also mention that my new favorite thing over on the internet is Pinterest. Here are my Pin Boards if you would like to see them. If you would like an invite to Pinterest, let me know, I have a few!

Plant Dreaming Deep

plant dreaming deep, a photo by megan_n_smith_99 on Flickr.

This painting was inspired by the title of the poet May Sarton's memoirs. Actually she wrote several memoirs, I recommend reading them all if you are so inclined. I think my favorite is Journal of a Solitude.

And I leave you with a May Sarton quote:

"We have to dare to be ourselves, however frightening or strange that self may prove to be. "

Plant Dreaming Deep
8 x 10"
Watercolor on paper
Available on Etsy.

Little Bird

Little Bird, a photo by megan_n_smith_99 on Flickr.

I've been trying to tie up some loose ends this week. Why does that always take so long? Well, among other things I've reorganizes some of my art supplies and finished a skirt I've been knitting for almost a year (off and on). I need to enlist someone to take a picture of me wearing it! It's all earthy greens. It's merino and silk but sadly you actually can get away with wearing merino in Seattle during the summer - not every day, but often enough!

This little fellow sort of looks like a Chickadee, though I was not actually looking at one or a photo of one when I painted it so I am sure I applied plenty of artistic license, as usual.

Little Bird
4 x 4 inches
watercolor and ink on Arches Aquarelle paper (300 lb, cold press) using Daniel Smith watercolors and a Faber-Castell Pitt pen, size S.