Home Beyond the Daffodils

 

Happy Easter!  We had a few dry windows in this rainy Easter day celebration, and we took advantage of them!  The whole family was out for dinner, with Karen and Steve in from Australia.  We picked up chicks to surprise the kids and grandkids - and they were perfect indoor entertainment during the rainy spells.  We've just started to build a chicken coop, and I sure hope we get it done before they outgrow their brooder box.  It's been a great day of making memories with the family, and another blessed Easter celebration.  Painting number 5158 in 5158 days. 

Daffodils Mini

 

The last of my daffodils are blooming and I just had to get a quick sketch before they fade for another year!  This has been a truly glorious spring for them - I can't reminder a better one!  After another long day of gardening and housework, I am squeezing a tiny painting of these lovelies! Even the tiniest painting break rejuvenates me for the long list of chores ahead.  Thank heavens for these shiny moments!  Painting number 5155 in 5155 days. 

Two Dafs

On this lovely day, nearly the whole family came out to celebrate our joint birthdays - Tyler, Travis and I!  We tried our new corn popper over the campfire for the first time - and it was SO delicious!  The kids enjoyed s'mores as we played lawn games and visited outside.  Hannah brought enchiladas and we all contributed Mexican fare and more.  It was so nice to gather after so much sadness, and to enjoy being together. All the trees are blooming and the daffodils are magnificent, so I'm sketching a miniature in honor of a fabulous birthday. Painting number 5144 in 5144 days 

Barrett Browning Dafs

 

Painting these beauties can brighten up any day, even the dark ones we travel now.  I've spent all my time support family these last days, and it doesn't seem to be enough.  In the little scraps of time I find, I choose to sketch the beauty of this special variety.  It cheers my soul to put pen to paper, like time spent with an old friend.  Their beauty is fleeting, and I can only hope to get them all painted before they fade. Painting number 5142 in 5142 days. 

Spring on the Farm

 

Our daffodils have never been as abundant as they are this year and I'm so happy to get to paint them in their glory.  The very first variety to bloom is just starting to fade, as others are opening up anew. This variety in the foreground is just coming to it's peak.  The redbuds are also shining pink, though blocked in this view by foliage to the right.  This farm has been in my family for 80 years, a place of hopes and dreams for generations.  I love this place with my every breath, and continue to scatter bulbs and seeds as my grandmother did.  I hope to paint every bloom one day, each planted where I intend to paint. Painting number 5141 in 5141 days. 

Sunny Day Daffodils

 

These spring blooms are fleeting, and glorious to paint in their prime.  Every year they return to me, like friends springing up from the ground.  They keep me occupied when too much is on my mind, and the strenuous garden work is welcome relief when troubled.  My duties are light as I head early to Michaela's, and I'm hoping the boys will join me in her garden with the shiny, new garden spades that I'm bringing with me. Perhaps my next painting should be of that brightly colored collection of tools in my basket.  Painting number 5140 in 5140 days. 

Sunny Daffodils

On this day of farewell, I'm thinking of a dear friend who's sunny smile would outshine these daffodils every day of the week.  We were high school friends, dancing as Vikettes for Shawnee Mission West only yesterday, it seems.  And today, we're saying goodbye.  It was healing to spend time with a few of our friends, remembering you.  Our birthdays are just days away, and I'll be thinking of the times we celebrated them together, and all the times we meant to.  Your service is the first I have been able to attend since my Dad passed.  It was so hard, but I had to, for you. I miss you already, sweet Susan. Painting number 5136 in 5136 days. 

Two Daffodils

 

I love painting the first daffodils of spring - and they are calling to me now.  I find comfort in the little windows of time that I can paint, spending the hours outside with the family in the fresh air.  We're grieving a loss, as the birds sing and the frogs chirp from the ponds. Each line and brushstroke is a friend, and I'll lean on them and God,as they strengthen me for the days ahead.  Painting number 5135 in 5135 days. 

Daffodil

This clump of daffodils is normally my very first to bloom, and I have them down by the road and up by the windmill.  This year, they have bloomed second to the large clump in my front porch garden.  On this morning of very little time, I still have enough time for a miniature painting. What better to paint than cheerful yellow blooms?  Painting number 5123 in 5123 days. 

First Daffodils

These first daffodils greeted me by the front porch this morning, blooming abundantly!  Normally one or two will open up first on the cellar or under the windmill, before these.  What a sunny surprise it was to find a while bouquet - so I HAD to paint them!  This is a journal i bought at a local shop right before the holidays, and I am just getting to know it.  The cotton paper is very soft, and rather resistant to my watercolors.  So, I must load the brush a little heavier and use a bit more water, to work into that sizing on the page.  The leather cover is lovely, with leaves on a branch adorning it. My plan is to use this journal for my nature studies and lovelies in my garden. Who knows where the pages will lead me?  Painting number 5122 in 5122 days. 

Two Dafs

I love painting these late blooming daffodils as much as the first ones!  No flower rings in spring like these, and it is a sweet indeed to start my birthday with a quick sketch in the garden.  We will be celebrating with the family - and two of my sons have their birthdays this week, too!  Painting number 5003 in 5003 days. 

Pale Dafs

It sure was a windy day for painting today, and still those daffodils flourish! These came from a group that I ordered many years ago from the kid's fundraiser, and they were called pink daffodils.  They really aren't pink, but they are peachy in the mid-day sun. Wild and windblown, these daffodils are still gorgeous, and one of my latest varieties.  Too soon they will all fade away until next year.  Painting number 5000 in 5000 days!! 

Daffodils

I sure hope these daffodils survive our hard freeze tonight!  I covered three big masses of these beauties in an effort to save them for Easter Sunday.  We also wrapped the new fruit trees that were budded out as well, but with an expected low of 22 degrees, it might not be enough.  Painting number 4992 in 4992 days. 

Mini Daffs

I LOVE sketching daffodils to the music of birdsong!  It has been such a mild March, all the birds are singing their spring songs and building nests in all the houses!  It's such a beautiful time of year for gardening and painting in between duties. Painting number 4979 in 4979 days. 

Evening Daffodils

 

Some days I don't get a chance to paint until nightfall.  I love to have these beauties waiting for me just outside the door, when I do finally come to my easel.  This day has been full of activities, with kids and grandkids.  From tractor rides to cellar duties, too reorganizing a couple of rooms, I hardly know which way is up.  So a little art therapy is in order, and a fragrant foot and hand soak awaits as I finally close down this day. Painting number 4975 in 4975 days. 

White Daffodils

These daffodils are normally my first to bloom, but this year they are trailing behind a few others.  I have planted this variety by the windmill and down by the road, and each year they harken in spring.  It's so exciting to see these beauties again!  I'm happy to get them painted after my first Pickle Ball game ever with my high school friends! Painting number 4974 in 4974 days. 

Cheerful Blooms

These first blooms of spring are SO inspiring, especially in their sunny yellow dress!  My days have been full of gardening, and this is my sweet reward when I get a chance to paint!  I do so love painting spring!  Painting number 4971 in 4971 days. 

Mini Dafs

 

I love painting these last daffodils as much as the first!  I wish spring would last all year!  This has been an amazing year for them, and I now have only a couple late varieties left.  I had more grandbaby time today with Quinn, Casper and Kirby, and Mike joined me, too.  It's great to squeeze in a miniature before meeting more family for a TSA celebration dinner!  Painting number 3754 in 3754 days. 

Nighttime Daffodils

 

These daffodils grow more beautiful every day - and I just HAD to get them painted!  The gardens are full of them - and I am hoping they will last long enough to get a few more paintings done.  Oil is a perfect medium for a nocturne, and the buttery texture is lovely for the petal work.  The small thumb box pochade is a favorite for quick paints - at only 7x5 inches.  I plan to travel with this box when I fly next, I think it will be a great packing size.  Painting number 3734 in 3734 days. 

Daffodil Duo

What a lovely spring day to paint these King Alfred daffodils in ink and watercolor!!  With rain moving in tonight and several days of rain ahead - I am taking a break from framing to get in a quick paint in miniature!  I'm trying out a few colors that aren't normally on my palette - all from Daniel Smith.  I use them for studio work, but never in the field.  I can sure see the color difference in the strong outdoor light!  It's a great way to keep things fresh in the field!  Painting number 3725 in 3725 days.