Artist in the Garden, May 2016

This was the ideal day for planting!  With plenty of sunshine, I got outside just after 9 a.m. and began the garden work.  It's more therapy than work.  My aching back is now arguing that it still qualifies as work.  Two raised beds, a planting guide in grid form, and a wide variety of seed packets were all ready to go!  We began gardening this way in 2010 and it's an easy, low maintenance way to keep a garden.

A perfect day for planting! Studio plans on hold. Seeds are in the ground!!! #artistonpause #plantingseeds #squarefootgardening #best therapy #sunfilledday

A photo posted by Christy Sheeler (@christysheeler.artist) on May 4, 2016 at 2:46pm PDT

There are quite a few plants already doing well in the soil.  I was pleased to see the beautiful red tulips.  The bulbs have been there for many years, planted before we moved here in 2000.  They are determined to come up and show their faces every year!

The bunching green onions are from seed planted last year.  Soon, they'll have blossoms and then seed.  Last year, I tried the onion bulbs for $1.49/bag.  I had no idea they could be so easy to grow!  We enjoyed small onions all summer long.

The Johnny Jump-Ups are popping up from where they self-sowed last year.  There are several rogue mint plants.  Though I transplanted the main mint plant to an herb bed last year, there continue to be  a few more popping up in the garden bed.

Johnny Jump-Up and rogue mint leaves. They greeted me as I began sowing seeds. #squarefootgardening #artistinthegarden #purpleviolas #gardentherapy

A photo posted by Christy Sheeler (@christysheeler.artist) on May 4, 2016 at 3:47pm PDT

Spring at Higher Elevation in Montana

Spring means crocus on the foothills of the mountains here on the east side of the Rocky Mountains.  A Sunday afternoon drive includes a packed picnic of hot dogs, potato chips, and store bought cookies.  Hmmm...and a 2 lb. bag of Sour Patch Kids candies.  No, we didn't finish it.  It was a nice unexpected treat that made the ride more fun.  The late-afternoon sun danced through the trees and off the icy water running downstream.  I would have stayed for a week, given the option!  Thinking now on how to pack the summer art bag...is lighter possible?

I'll add another photo tomorrow.

-Christy

Sunday afternoon drive for mountain and fresh air fix. A few crocus on the lower foothills. #mountainwildflowers #purplecrocus #montanawildflowers #montanaphoto #springishereagain

A photo posted by Christy Sheeler (@christysheeler.artist) on Apr 3, 2016 at 7:45pm PDT

Mountain stream in late afternoon. Therapy like this is hard to beat. #coldmountainwater #soundofriverstream #sundayafternoondrives

A photo posted by Christy Sheeler (@christysheeler.artist) on Apr 3, 2016 at 8:13pm PDT

(My) Perspective Matters: The Effects on an Artist

Whether you consider yourself an artist or not, I'm sure you can relate.

Early spring has begun to arrive here in northern Montana.  It's not a picture perfect lush green yet.  That kind of spring has not arrived yet.  On Sunday, as we drove to church for Easter service, my son spotted a robin.  A few nights ago, as I was about to drift off to sleep, I heard the geese honking as they flew over our neighborhood.  While outside on a warmer day, last week I spotted the tulips leaves, just green tips of a few inches, starting their way up from the ground.  Strawberry leaves are coming back to life, among the dead leaves, pine cones, and twigs.  The green onions that remained in the raised garden beds have kept their square foot home in the soil.  Their stalks are turning green again, reminding me it won't be so long before planting will begin again.  Before I show those views to you, stick with me a bit longer...

We've had such a limited amount of snow in the past five months.  It's definitely reason to feel apprehensive about the coming months.  The summer of 2015 quickly turned troubling with the lack of moisture.  Before we realized it, we had a hard wildfire season.  Smoke-filled haze and ash on flat surfaces was such a disappointing end to summer activities.

We still need moisture in some form.  Whether it be gentle rains or (typical for our spring) wet, heavy snow this time of year would be very welcome.  It's easy to become discouraged when we base our hope on what we can see or understand.  Human perspective is surely flawed!  And I'm included.  Tuesday morning I noticed garbage strewn along the ground near a dumpster in a nearby alley.  That was what my eye noticed, glancing out of the corner of my eye.  With my two teens in the car, we headed out for an orthodontic appointment.

In the back recesses of my mind, I was disappointed at the sight.  The cause could be cats, dogs, wind, etc.  It wasn't an enjoyable sight.  Now, I took the photo today...and maybe there was more garbage lying around then, I'm not sure.  That is beside the point.  Just hang on and see where I'm going with this...

I was fixated on the sight for a moment - caught up in it.  

Does that ever happen with you?  In can easily turn into a negative thought pattern.

Now there's another view I've studied in passing - the lilac bush in a neighbor's yard.  I'm usually driving into the alley, approaching our garage entrance.  There on the bush, the tiniest buds, just bundles of leaves - not that they are recognizable at this early stage.  But I know what they are from past experience.  Now on first glance, it's not all that exciting.  But wait...

Do you notice what happens as you draw closer?  Looking more intently, focused, it all changes to something so mesmerizing.  The effect is much different than with a quick glance.

A Vintage Tractor, Society6 & My Sketchbook

This Week in the Watercolor Studio

The studio has been a busy!  The flow of activity is not smooth; adaptive and flexible describes my energy.  While plenty has been happening, the vintage tractor has not had any work done since last Friday.  I'm feeling less focused on writing for today but I do want to share, so bear with me, please.

Update 3/30/16:  I've just realized perhaps I have more to share about this watercolor painting.  I attempted to build a graphic last week but just wasn't happy with the results at that time.  It's all working together much better today.  While preparing to add the graphic at left, I noticed the photographs taken while sketching out the tractor.  With a more detailed subject that needs more accuracy, I take more time to make sure the proportions are correct.  In the coming weeks, I'll prepare to share how I begin a drawing and what tools & tricks help guide the process.  Stay tuned!  Another lightbulb moment!!  I hope you enjoy reading and seeing all I bring to share here along the way.

Once begun, the watercolor painting of the vintage tractor moved along quickly.   Within two days, a lot of change took place.  Masking fluid was used to preserve the fine lines on the radiator.  I mistakenly called it a grill while talking about it previously.  Silly me!  I worked on it up until last Friday.  Sadly, it's taking a backseat to other things for now.

Even at this point in the progress of this watercolor painting, there is quite a bit of interest in this painting!  I've had some questions about whether it will be available for sale when complete.  Yes, it will be available to purchase!  Please feel free to contact me for more information.