I live in a neighborhood of gardeners, not everyone, mind you, but enough of us putter and plant in our gardens that anyone strolling through the area has an interesting array of styles and plant preferences to enjoy. Perhaps the popularity of gardening in the neighborhood is due to a combination of our excellent sandy loam soil and mild maritime climate, which crowns even minimal gardening effort with flourishing success.
Dorothy, my dear neighbor of many years, was a dahlia enthusiast. The parking strip along one side of her corner lot is devoted to dahlia’s of every form and color–big shaggy puff-balls and neat pinwheels in pink, purple, yellow, white and peach. Since Dorothy passed away a few years ago, her daughter moved in and now tends her garden. ( I am sure her daughter would agree that it will always be Dorothy’s garden.) Across the street from Dorothy is Phyllis, who is a daylily enthusiast. Her garden is in the foreground of my first sketch. Her parking strips and garden are lush beyond description, but that is another story. The pencil sketch is of her Cardoon, which is also in the watercolor.
By the way, today is my first blogoversary! It’s hard to believe that I started this blogging adventure only one year ago. I want to extend my thanks to all of those who have visited my blog in the past year. Many have left kind and encouraging comments for which I am grateful. Also, I have grown and learned more than I imagined possible by visiting the blogs of others. Thank you for sharing your artistic journey with me.
This blog is about my journey as a botanical artist--what I am learning, what inspires me and what I am currently drawing or painting. My desire is to continually hone my skills to better express my wonder and gratitude for the beauty of the creation around me in the Pacific Northwest (USA).
Janene, Your drawing, gardening, quilting,…are such a wonderful gifts. Thank you for sharing them with us.
Beautiful watercolor and drawing! I love Dorothy’s house!
Congrats on the anniversary. The watercolor is lovely. A picture like that says that you just appreciate where you live.
I love Dorothy’s house, too, and what a pleasure to read about and see the beautiful flowers. Happy anniversary! nancy
Happy blogoversary! I’ve enjoyed your blog and your sketches many times over the last year. I’m glad you joined EDM and allow us to share in your beautiful artistic journey.
Happy blogaversary! All your sketches/paintings are delightful. Such talent. Great visit.
Beautiful post in every way! Thank you for sharing your journey.
Fabulous painting/drawing! And Happy Blogaversary!! Time does seem to zoom by here, doesn’t it!
Happy One Year! These drawings/paintings are just lovely!
Thanks everyone! I appreciate your comments very much.
Happy Anniversary and congrats for your Blog. It is so much fun dropping by to see your newest paintings.
Happy anniversary!!! Beautiful painting of teh house and garden, and I like the drawing too.
Happy Birthday to your blog =)
I really love the painting of the house, you’ve painted it masterfully. And the sketch is gorgeous with all the fine details ^^
Here’s to next year! I like Dorothy’s house too. It just looks inviting.
Thanks Shirley, ., Alex and Donna–I have enjoyed visiting your blogs too!
Happy Blogoversary Janene, I hope to be following your blog for many more years.
I like the description of your neighbourhood and the pencil thistle is beautiful. Sorry I’m not a gardener, I meant the cardoon.
I seem to have missed some of you posts, happy(belated) blogversary! Well done for blogging for a whole year and giving us such lovely work to see.
This looks like a house in my own neighborhood! Very nice. And happy blogversary!