I am so happy to have two of my paintings in the little ‘zine pictured above. I was feeling a bit under the weather last week and when it arrived in the mail it cheered me right up! There are some sweet artists in the mag and I love Julianna’s work on the cover (and juxtaposed with the twine binding it looks so nice!)

It’s absolutely sweltering here! The days when I can do some summer hybernating in my little air conditioned painting room are near… this thrills me to pieces! So I am trying to make the best of the heat by embracing summer early. The day started by eating a pint of the yummiest chilled blackberries. The humid, haze-filled mountain views during my morning commute made me daydream of early morning hikes and runs through the park. Many summer plans, a list is forthcoming!

My large blue hardcover watercolor book has been inspiring lately. It’s main use is for traveling around, sketching and playing with painting ideas but I came up with this finished painting, and a print will be up for sale very soon! The original is on a 13″ x 9″ page in my book and is watercolor and gouache with a piece of old lace.

After covering the paper with watercolor leaves and sticks I remembered these photos, taken early spring in the meadow. Red-windged black birds.

I was thinking about a flock of birds emerging from spaces within, from something woven or tangled or lace-like. I am going to develop this concept further. I think.

In addition to scribbles, snippets have been collecting in my book. On a treasure hunt last week I found a box of pretty paper cuts. Here’s another page….

I am longing for the early morning when I can get up and take my sketchbook in the field to work. There are so many things to draw!