More spring photography from Instagram!

When a subject from nature interests me, I take the opportunity to take as many photographs as possible.  Building my photography collection for art references is a serious effort.  I'm sure I've mentioned this before but it's crazy true.  My obsession with attention to detail, watching for a perspective or angle that I can't pass up is always there.  In the past few days, I've checked on the cherry blossoms often and taken perhaps 200 photos...some turn out and some don't, so I go a bit overboard to allow for mess ups.  I've been experimenting with the backgrounds being less distracting and more blurred.  I'm also learning that the tripod needs to go along and be put to good use!  New habits 101...

More cherry blossoms opening over the weekend. Camera is being put to work! Grabbing as many photos as possible while they last. #cherryblossoms2016 #firstbackyardblooms #artreferencephotos #happyforspring

A photo posted by Christy Sheeler (@christysheeler.artist) on Apr 5, 2016 at 8:04pm PDT

Sketchbook has a bit of ink and watercolor, excitement for projects coming soon. Delicate pale pink cherry blossoms. #quickinkandwatercolor #sketchbookquickie #nopencilnoerasing #springishereagain

A photo posted by Christy Sheeler (@christysheeler.artist) on Apr 6, 2016 at 11:39am PDT

I'm excited to share a few more photos from our afternoon drive in the Lewis and Clark National Forest.  We just say, "let's take a drive up the Teton."  The fresh, clean air and big, blue sky combined with the scent of pine is just a rejuvenating way to escape regular life stuff for a while.

Sunday afternoon. Brilliantly vivid green lush moss. Numbingly icy cold fresh water. Can you just hear the lovely sound as it moves over the rocks? #wonderfulwaterfall #localsknowthisplace #moreartreferencephotos #northforkoftheteton #sundaydriveinthemountains #lewisandclarknationalforest

A photo posted by Christy Sheeler (@christysheeler.artist) on Apr 6, 2016 at 10:55am PDT

More down below the road, near to the river bed. The moss stands out against surroundings still waiting a turn for waking up to spring. #wonderfulwaterfall #moreartreferencephotos #lewisandclarknationalforest #sundaydriveinthemountains #northforkoftheteton

A photo posted by Christy Sheeler (@christysheeler.artist) on Apr 6, 2016 at 11:23am PDT

See you tomorrow!  I'm preparing to share some useful tips on keeping a better perspective, a continuation of the topic from last week.

-Christy

Painting the Crocus

The Crocus trio of paintings were completed yesterday.  This marks six weeks of my adventures in painting on a regular basis.  I am treating this as a real job.  Funny, huh.  That's not sad and depressing at all.  I've spent years putting my artistic ventures last because I love my husband and children.  That's what we women do...we set our interest aside to focus on our family.  It's easy to resist saying no to someone else while saying no to myself.  In the past, when attending art show exhibits, I'd sheepishly say, "I paint watercolors."  Not, "I'm an artist on hiatus while I raise a family."  It was like this, because I was not actively busy with watercolors or any other kind of art, I felt like I wasn't really an artist anymore.  

Painting the Shooting Stars

Spring is finally here!  The shooting stars said so.

Shooting stars blooming abundantly with a few Indian paintbrush

It’s spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you’ve got it, you want — oh, you don’t quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so! ~Mark Twain

The color and size of the shooting stars vary.

"Oh, look!  I see them!  Quick, stop, I'll be right back."  

These words are followed by me grabbing my camera and jumping out of the car.  I wander the roadside ditch for the next 15 minutes, searching for the best and brightest blooms.  Aware that my family is patiently waiting for me during a pause in our drive to wherever we are heading today.  This has been our habit for so long that no one complains; there's no impatience because this is our normal.  I can pass up boutiques and coffee shops but I brake for wildflowers.  For me, nature sends delightful little messengers of spring in the grassy wet areas.  I glance around for the amount of standing water, hoping to keep my feet dry.  It may sound crazy but I'm like a child at a parade, watching for candy to be tossed my way.  That's how it is for me while I'm anticipating the growing season for each wildflower.  This vivid fuchsia flower on slender stem has a lovely scent, as gentle and pleasing as lilacs or roses but still distinctly different.