Restful Retreat

The water streaming from the upper bowl of the fountain is dragged, straight down over the background that is now dry. I hold the brush lightly, letting it skip and bump over the rough paint underneath. This helps to give the impression of falling water.

Delicately fragrant Nasturtiums are blocked in Flowers First, Leaves Last. #1. The blossoms are mixtures of Alizarin Crimson + White, Alizarin Crimson + Cadmium Red Light, Cadmium Red Light + Cadmium Orange and Cadmium Orange + Cadmium Yellow Medium. #2. Round leaves made of various combinations of Pthalo Blue + Cadmium Yellow Medium are painted around the flower color. A few strokes of Pthalo Blue + White are added here and there to bring coolness into the depths of the foliage. You can click on the image to enlarge the picture to see this better.

It’s fun drawing in the stems and wiggly vines with a fine liner brush. Wiggly reminds me of Jack’s nicknames for our rescue kitties. There is a grocery store chain in the south called “Piggly Wiggly’s”. He called the girls Piggly and Wiggly. Molly is Piggly because she will eat a whole bag of cat food in one sitting. She’s constantly sneaking food out of Sissie’s dish if I don’t get it put up immediately after the little one, who just eats a couple of nibbles at a time, is finished eating. Sissie is Wiggly because her tail is always wiggling!

Big Blue has dropped in for a visit. I use mixes of Cobalt Blue + White for his beautiful plumage. I notice he’s keeping a sharp eye on that white cat!

Black markings complete the Blue Jay. Now it’s time to paint the Anasazi Pot. I’ve debated how to approach this for some time, I do miss Jack’s advice in situations like this. But I finally decided to begin with the base color as if the container is solid white. So the light and shadows on the round pot are established.

Here are a couple of samples that Jeana sent. I’ve decided to paint the one with the spirals, it will be a challenge.

I draw diagonal lines with Ivory Black into the wet paint of the container as a guide. Then the spirals begin!

My wrist is braced against my mahl stick to steady my hand as I continue. What is a mahl stick? CLICK HERE to find out.

The triangular designs are first outlined, I’ll come back and fill them in.

WHEW! The Anasazi Pot is done, time to plant the Prickly Pear Cactus. Watch out for those stickers, they can be painful. I’ve learned from experience to wear heavy gloves and hold the pads with a couple of layers of cardboard when planting the real thing!

Restful Retreat         30 inches x 36 inches

Cactus is happily nestled in it’s distinctive container and Yellow Yarrow has grown up at the base of the courtyard wall. Well, it’s time for the name. During the night “Restful Retreat” popped into my mind, I like that! Do you think Jack might have sent a little message from Heaven? Thanks for following along, I sincerely appreciate all of your warm comments and support! HUGS,

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