Zebra Iris

I like the way the late afternoon sun lights up these iris fans.  This iris is known as Zebra.  My maternal grandmother raised these iris in her yard.  I am so thrilled to have them growing in mine!  (these were handed down through the generations).

Golden Pea

This wildflower is a legume which I have identified as Golden Pea.  It blooms right after the daffodils.  It is happy on the hillside and the deer don't eat it (I believe it is poison to them).  I have used this plant for eco dyeing.  It made some nice soft yellow fabric.

Epimedium

First time for this to be blooming at my house!  It is called Epimedium.  I  planted this perennial last summer in a dry shady area.  I am so excited to see it blooming - so delicate.  Flowers are about 1/2" diameter.

Miniature Dwarf Bearded Iris - Veri Gay

So tiny.  It is only about 5" high.  This iris was introduced in 1953 by Welch.  It opened the same day last year!

April Sunshine!

 We've had several days of good rain and I am grateful for that.  Also for the sunshine of today.  My yard may be in the best shape it's ever been.  I have been through twice to weed and dig out iris rhizome rot.  I have fertilized at the proper time.  Today, I used Roundup on the driveway.   The power company has been here digging holes in our driveway to install conduit for the power lines that go through our property.  They have made a small mess.  Not a big one, as before.  Daffodils are in bloom nicely.  Trees beginning to leaf out.

Monday Mail Art - April 18

Did you ever notice that the first piece of luggage on the carousel never belongs to anyone?

              -Erma Bombeck

Orchid - What's Blooming Inside

 This amazing orchid is filling my kitchen with a wonderful lily-like fragrance!  I can't believe I found it at Lowes!    The tag says it is easy to grow.  Maybe I won't kill this one - the stems are very succulent like.  I have especially enjoyed this one on those days when the spring snows are covering the daffodils!

Daffodils Blooming at My House

Almost Spring Group - Design Wall

I pinned this group of 12 entitled "Almost Spring" to my design wall in order to get a good look at them as a group and individually.  I am not sure they are finished, but I am going to put them aside for now, I think.  Maybe I will have some inspiration or ideas for going further, but right now - no......Once they are finished, I plan to square them up and mount them onto cradle boards.  I have just ordered some from Dick Blick that I want to try....

Almost Spring #10 - 12 Works In Progress

 Almost Spring #10

 

 Almost Spring #11

Almost Spring #12

Monday Mail Art - April 11

Children make your life important.

Erma Bombeck

Almost Spring # 7 - 9 In Progress

 Almost Spring #7

 Almost Spring #8

Almost Spring #9

Almost Spring #4 - 6 In Progress

 Almost Spring #4

 Almost Spring #5

Almost Spring #6

Almost Spring Series #1 - 3 Works In Progress

 I've added some printed circles in Raw Umber and some screen printed branches to a few of these.  I have decided to call this series "Almost Spring" and I have numbered them 1 - 12.  I do not think these are finished yet, but they are getting closer.  I often discover the next step by photographing the work and looking at it on my laptop screen. 

 Almost Spring #1

 Almost Spring #2

Almost Spring #3

Up Close and Personal - Works In Progress

More White Over Spring Colors

White Paint and Print

Here is the series, now, drying on the floor after I have added white paint brushed on and lifted and block printing with white, as well (reverse letter printing block).

Monday Mail Art - April 4

I don't want to achieve immortality through my work. I want to achieve it through not dying.

          -Woody Allen

Lift Papers

I wanted to show the papers I use to lift the paint from the collage (after it has been applied with a brush).  The paint transfers to the paper and leaves a nice semi-transparent surface on the collage.  I like using these papers for further work.  I will use them to lift many different colors, perhaps, and then maybe I will print over the top.  Or maybe I will tear them up and use them in a collage.  Or maybe they will become pages in my visual journal.  Lots of options and I really love working with them.

The Spring Colors Series In Progress

 I snapped a few pictures of the group of 12  collages as they lay on the floor to dry.  I wanted to demonstrate how they are all similar, but each is different.  They work as a series and now I hope to make them work as individual works. 

Up to now, my decisions have been more general - in terms of colors and choice of implement, etc.  It will get more specific from here on.