Daily Practice
Journal
Early yesterday morning, Tom brought two hives of bees to reside on our property! He placed them in the field near the edge of our poplar trees and our small orchard. The white boxes, each about 75 pounds, were carefully placed on cement supports he had brought out earlier this week. It took both he and his grandson to move them from the truck to the supports.
I watched him fill the feeders within the boxes so that the bees would have supplemental nectar while they became familiar with their new surroundings. I was surprised the cats weren't more curious - but they do stay away from the hives.
I sneak peeks at the hives every once in a while and noticed that the bees haven't ventured very far from the boxes as yet. Since my knowledge of bees and bee keeping is nominal, I am thrilled to be able to see this process close-up and imagine I'll be learning a lot over this year!
This sketch is from a photo reference, and I suppose I'll be painting more bees and planting more flowers. LOL!
The fig preserves are finished and stored, and I have one more set of jam to make today. As promised, here's C's recipe for Fig and Walnut Portabello:
Ingredients:
4 portabello mushroms, sliced thickly and placed in casserole dish
Sauce:
3/4 cup fig preserves
1/2 cup walnut halves
1/2 cup sliced reconstituted dried figs (you can use fresh too)
2/3 melted stick of butter (3 TBS)
1 TBS basalmic vinegar
2 TBS olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
pinch of garlic
Blend sauce ingredients; pour over mushrooms, marinate 30 min. Remove mushrooms from sauce, and cook in a frypan with 2 TBS butter and 1 TBS olive oil. Brown mushrooms on both sides. Add sauce, turning mushrooms to coat. Simmer 10-15 minutes turning mushrooms occasionally. Serve over rice.
YUM!
Lin Frye
North Carolina
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Banksias
On my way home from a lazy Saturday breakfast at a local cafe, I stopped at a park to draw. The park had a quite a few Banksia trees and all of them were full of flowers and cones, in each stage of growth. The flowers are at their peak just after stage 3 of my drawings. They have a full flower head that is yellow, pink, red or orange in colour, before dying off to stage 4
I had to go home and look up on the internet to find out more about them. I could not identify the particular species but I can tell you : The genus name honours the English botanist Sir Joseph Banks, who collected the first Banksia specimens in 1770, during James Cook's first expedition.Banksia belongs to the family Proteaceae, subfamily Grevilleoideae, and tribe Banksieae. There are around 170 species
The seed cones are referenced in the "big bad Banksia men" of May Gibbs' children's book Snugglepot and Cuddlepie. Gibb's "Banksia men" are modelled on the appearance of aged Banksia "cones", with follicles for eyes and other facial features
I stayed and drew for about an hour until the sun got too hot. It is a very warm winters day in Sydney.
Alissa
I had to go home and look up on the internet to find out more about them. I could not identify the particular species but I can tell you : The genus name honours the English botanist Sir Joseph Banks, who collected the first Banksia specimens in 1770, during James Cook's first expedition.Banksia belongs to the family Proteaceae, subfamily Grevilleoideae, and tribe Banksieae. There are around 170 species
The seed cones are referenced in the "big bad Banksia men" of May Gibbs' children's book Snugglepot and Cuddlepie. Gibb's "Banksia men" are modelled on the appearance of aged Banksia "cones", with follicles for eyes and other facial features
I stayed and drew for about an hour until the sun got too hot. It is a very warm winters day in Sydney.
Alissa
Friday, August 14, 2009
Bugs & Flowers
Some new bugs and one of my favorite wildflowers... the Saw Leaf Daisy.
This is the gray version of the blister beetle... he is quite a bit smaller than the striped blister beetle.
This was a skinny Stink Bug.
This is one of my favorite wildflowers - the Saw Leaf Daisy. This is where I found the Ambush Bug.... these are very stiff and prickly.
I found this Ambush Bug on the Saw Leaf Daisy flower below. His front legs looked like he had boxing gloves on. I found out that the Ambush Bug will sit perfectly still on a flower and ambush his prey by unfolding those boxing gloves and grabbing another insect for dinner. They will eat other insects that are much larger than themselves.
This was a skinny Stink Bug. All of the insect sketches are ink & watercolor in the Moleskine Bug Journal.
This is one of my favorite wildflowers - the Saw Leaf Daisy. This is where I found the Ambush Bug.... these are very stiff and prickly.The Daisy sketch is ink & watercolor on hemp paper in my nature journal.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Are you a night owl or an early bird?
Chamaecrista fasciculata AKA Cassia chamaecrista - partridge pea - sleeping plant.
The leaves look a lot like mimosa pudica whose leaves fold shut when you touch them. However these don't do that although they do fold up at night. I love active plants!
Captain Lewis of Lewis and Clark collected this on the famous expedition on July 18, 1804, as he notes at "N latitude 29".
Figs
Daily Practice
Journal
I arrived at the B&B last night pretty tuckered out after three days of registration and upteen meetings -- and there to greet me, two BOXES of freshly picked figs! Being the ol' softie that I am, I burst into tears ... geez! LOL Of course I had to eat a few -- sweet as summer rain --- and so I sketched a few of them for a card to thank Rebecca (the owner of the B&B where I stay during the week) for picking them for me. My weekend work is cut out -- fig preserves, fig jam, dried figs, and I'm wondering if I can get C to WRITE down his recipe for Portabello Mushrooms and figs? If I can, I'll share it here.
Though I have several small fig bushes on my property, the drought has made the fruit a bit smaller than normal, but these, I'm suspecting they're Brown Turkey (a larger variety than the English I have), were rich and ripe. They grew 90 miles south of where mine are growing - almost a half-zone difference. It only goes to show the importance of those 'planting zones' when one is planting a garden and expecting a harvest! I won't see my Brown Turkey figs this ripe until the end of the month!
Better go hunting for some canning jars!
Lin Frye
North Carolina
Journal
I arrived at the B&B last night pretty tuckered out after three days of registration and upteen meetings -- and there to greet me, two BOXES of freshly picked figs! Being the ol' softie that I am, I burst into tears ... geez! LOL Of course I had to eat a few -- sweet as summer rain --- and so I sketched a few of them for a card to thank Rebecca (the owner of the B&B where I stay during the week) for picking them for me. My weekend work is cut out -- fig preserves, fig jam, dried figs, and I'm wondering if I can get C to WRITE down his recipe for Portabello Mushrooms and figs? If I can, I'll share it here.
Though I have several small fig bushes on my property, the drought has made the fruit a bit smaller than normal, but these, I'm suspecting they're Brown Turkey (a larger variety than the English I have), were rich and ripe. They grew 90 miles south of where mine are growing - almost a half-zone difference. It only goes to show the importance of those 'planting zones' when one is planting a garden and expecting a harvest! I won't see my Brown Turkey figs this ripe until the end of the month!
Better go hunting for some canning jars!
Lin Frye
North Carolina
Zennias Last Day
Loved doing this little watercolor sketch of some dead Zennias in my studio. The colors and texture will make a wonderful larger painting to me. The red ribbon was really a wild card. Zennias are such a wonderful and colorful flower to me. Enjoy, I did.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
windowbox sneak
windowbox sneak
Originally uploaded by vickylw
My parsley in the window box was not looking too well . . . . upon examination, I found a very cute culprit.
The plant is showing good regrowth; next year I'll be sure to put out extra plants for the caterpillars.
Rainbow Lorikeet in the park
This Rainbow Lorikeet was busily feeding on a banksia flower in the garden of a local park on Saturday. There were a few on the branches and they allowed us to get quite close without flying away. They are very sociable birds that live in the suburbs.
I had previously drawn a Rainbow Lorikeet at the Australian Museum, so it was nice to draw a live one living locally, even if it was from a photograph taken on the spot.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31752495@N03/3731785300/
Alissa
I had previously drawn a Rainbow Lorikeet at the Australian Museum, so it was nice to draw a live one living locally, even if it was from a photograph taken on the spot.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31752495@N03/3731785300/
Alissa
Zinnia Garden
Daily Practice
Journal
This landscape is based on a photo reference and some imagination. I chose zinnias because of a visitor I had this weekend --- my farming friend, Tom. We met Tom and his wife, Irene, last year, when we purchased honey from their hives. They generously sent us home with corn, figs, tomatoes, and an armload of zinnias - Irene's favorite flower.
We learned that Irene had passed this spring, which saddened all of us. We purchased more honey this weekend, and spent some time with Tom. He told us that he's continuing his beekeeping operation, but because he had so many bees, he wanted to place his bees elsewhere so they could produce better. We quickly offered our property - filled with the tulip poplar trees he was looking for, and after his visit this weekend, Tom has agreed to keep some hives with us. WOWEE! I'm hoping to quietly observe and learn how things are done, but even more, I am thrilled to be able to contribute pollen and respite to the bees. Honey bees have been in decline for quite a number of years, and so if there is anything we can do to help with their survival, I'd like to be part of that. We've already planted clover for the bees, as well as pollen producing fruits, vegetables and flowers.
Thus, the zinnias -- to remember our sweet friend, Irene....
And for Tom ....
And hopefully, this time next year, hundreds of honeybees ...
Lin Frye
North Carolina
Journal
This landscape is based on a photo reference and some imagination. I chose zinnias because of a visitor I had this weekend --- my farming friend, Tom. We met Tom and his wife, Irene, last year, when we purchased honey from their hives. They generously sent us home with corn, figs, tomatoes, and an armload of zinnias - Irene's favorite flower.
We learned that Irene had passed this spring, which saddened all of us. We purchased more honey this weekend, and spent some time with Tom. He told us that he's continuing his beekeeping operation, but because he had so many bees, he wanted to place his bees elsewhere so they could produce better. We quickly offered our property - filled with the tulip poplar trees he was looking for, and after his visit this weekend, Tom has agreed to keep some hives with us. WOWEE! I'm hoping to quietly observe and learn how things are done, but even more, I am thrilled to be able to contribute pollen and respite to the bees. Honey bees have been in decline for quite a number of years, and so if there is anything we can do to help with their survival, I'd like to be part of that. We've already planted clover for the bees, as well as pollen producing fruits, vegetables and flowers.
Thus, the zinnias -- to remember our sweet friend, Irene....
And for Tom ....
And hopefully, this time next year, hundreds of honeybees ...
Lin Frye
North Carolina
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Bald-faced Hornet ( Wasp)
If there was a wasp that I could get along with, it would be this wasp. It does not take offense if I come too close, rooting in the fig tree. It does not get all cranky if I kneel practically on its head while it feeds on some fallen fig. It does not fly into the kitchen and then run repeatedly into the window, getting all huffy when I try to shoo it out. No. This wasp is a reliable fellow. A well-bred wasp. A wasp with cufflinks for all love. One knows where one is with such a wasp.
( I'll let you know when the inevitable sting happens.)
Since arriving in NY I've been dying to get out and paint these roadside beauties. Chicory lines the rural roadsides. I'd love to see it cultivated in rows. It would be the Finger Lakes version of the wonderful lavender fields of France.Queen Ann's Lace is so abundant I'm tempted to paint a scene similar to Monet's poppy fields and title it Monet's QAL :) Time for this girl to be silly...
The yellow wildflower/weed is a mystery to me. It has a dandelion like flower, multiple flowers on the tall stems and I've seen different plant structures. Need to get home to my reference library.
I did this quick watercolor sketch in my Auwabee sketch book. The paper wrinkled a bit, thus the dull uneven colored background. I don't have my scanner with me and I'm winging it with a small digital camera.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Cheraw State Park Artist-in-Residence
I was honored to be selected by the SC State Park System to be an Artist-in-Residence for one week in 2009. The Park Service offers this program to painters, photographers, potters, sculptors, weavers and other artists that they may capture the natural and hisotorical resources of the parks. Applications are available from mid June and must be postmarked no later than October 31st. You can obtain information by calling 864-638-5353 or email; oconeestatepark-at-scprt-dot-com.
Last year, artists had 10 parks to choose from. While most were upstate, my top three picks (Cheraw, Givhans Ferry and Poinsett) offered the opportunity to further my current low country theme.
Here are some plein air tree studies done during my week there. The watercolors are 5 x 7, the tree on yupo is 8 x 10.
Cheraw is a lovely park. I had full run, golf cart included, and an air conditioned cabin. In return for this week, I am required to provide a painting within a 3 month time period. My challenge is deciding what scene I want to paint :)
To read more about my week, see my blog posts here
Bug Journal - Page 18
Three more bugs finished off page 18 of the Bug Journal.
All are ink & watercolor in the Moleskine Watercolor Journal.
We have at least 2 kinds of blister beetles around here. Most of the time I see the gray version but this is a pretty little striped version. This is supposed to be the bad one... not only can it cause a blister, but I was told that if these get in your hay and a horse eats one it can kill the horse.
This was a smaller ground beetle but he still has those wicked pinchers on the front.
These little beetles mimic the velvet ants (or maybe vice-versa).
The finished page.Figs
Daily Practce
Journal
Plein Air Sketch
Our figs are finally ripening enough to harvest! YAHOO! There is something so wonderful about fresh figs -- their sweet pulp and soft seeds are mighty welcome! We eat them out of hand, made into jams, and C fashions an incredible Portabello Mushroom and fig recipe served over rice ..! Sweet and savory at the same time!
We have only five small bushes -- two English and two Brown Turkey. The English are a bit small this year -- I would guess from the last few years of drought, and yet they ripen first. Our Brown Turkeys are just ripening, and are somewhat larger. Our fifth shrub is from Sicily --- a gift from a friend many years ago. It has languished with the weather issues we've had, and the deer seem to nibble it severely each year -- but THIS year, it seems to have finally taken off and is covered with figs as well. They won't be ready for harvest until another ten days or so.
I sketched this early yesterday morning - but even at that time, the sun was high overhead and the humidity was oppressive. When the perspiration from my face kept dripping onto my sketchpad and staining the paper, I decided to paint it from memory indoors! Temps reached 99F, but the humidity was the worst -- rivaling the temperatures for highest numbers -- ugh.
STAY COOL!
Lin Frye
North Carolina
Journal
Plein Air Sketch
Our figs are finally ripening enough to harvest! YAHOO! There is something so wonderful about fresh figs -- their sweet pulp and soft seeds are mighty welcome! We eat them out of hand, made into jams, and C fashions an incredible Portabello Mushroom and fig recipe served over rice ..! Sweet and savory at the same time!
We have only five small bushes -- two English and two Brown Turkey. The English are a bit small this year -- I would guess from the last few years of drought, and yet they ripen first. Our Brown Turkeys are just ripening, and are somewhat larger. Our fifth shrub is from Sicily --- a gift from a friend many years ago. It has languished with the weather issues we've had, and the deer seem to nibble it severely each year -- but THIS year, it seems to have finally taken off and is covered with figs as well. They won't be ready for harvest until another ten days or so.
I sketched this early yesterday morning - but even at that time, the sun was high overhead and the humidity was oppressive. When the perspiration from my face kept dripping onto my sketchpad and staining the paper, I decided to paint it from memory indoors! Temps reached 99F, but the humidity was the worst -- rivaling the temperatures for highest numbers -- ugh.
STAY COOL!
Lin Frye
North Carolina
Sunday, August 9, 2009
If you're lost in the woods in August...
You will survive! Just dig up the tubers of Apios Americana...they can be eaten raw or cooked and are quite similar to potatoes...but have 3 times the protein. I feel I've hit the jackpot with this plant: widely eaten by many American Indian tribes and quickly adopted by settlers, too. As an owner of "Stalking the Wild Asparagus" I have been so disappointed to find so few edible wildflowers. Success at last and a big Thank You to Floraquebeca for correcting my ID on the original photo
Meet the Correspondents: Pam Johnson Brickell
Hello Everyone! I'm Pam Johnson Brickell, a born and raised New England farm girl, currently living in and loving the low country of South Carolina.
As a youngster, I knew art had to be a big part of my life. In my early teens, my folks fostered this passion by letting me study pastel painting with a local artist, and then didn't bat an eye when I announced I didn't want to attend a traditional college but desired to apply to the School of the Worcester Art Museum. Luckily, SWAM accepted this determined girl :) After college, I sought full time jobs that kept me close to creative 'types' - I worked my way up to positions in photographic lab management and then advertising production and traffic management. My personal creativity ebbed and flowed as time allowed.
In 1990, I left the corporate world and focused full time on my art career. At that time I was heavily into weaving, but in 2000, when we moved from NC to western NY, my focus returned to watercolors. I became enthralled with birds, especially raptors and water-birds. I've always sketched in journals, but I attribute the loooong, cold, gray winters of the finger lakes region the catalyst that made me fine tune my nature journaling skills. The dogs and I would bundle up and head out for our daily walks. I'd look for and record any signs of life; migrating waterfowl, geese, raptors, animal tracks, and come March - tiny signs of spring...... Nature journaling was my religion, my link to sanity during the gray days!
I think I own every 'how-to' nature sketch/journal book ever published by Kate, Hannah Hinchman, Clare Walker Leslie, Claudia Nice and Irene Brady. How honored I am to have Kate invite me to participate in this blog. Wow! I'm still smiling :)
My family, (husband and various fur kids over the years) have lived in MA, NC (2x), AZ, NY (2x), TN and now, our second time in SC. My moto ~ have husband, will travel ~ It's been fun to experience different parts of the country but for me, it's time to stay put and actually get a chance to settle in. Living in the south is sooooo different than the northeast. My days of wandering off into the woods to explore halted. Why? Primarily snakes and insects, the latter having a field day with me in manicured landscapes. I could only imagine my fate in the southern woods!
My goal to become settled in the low country led me to enroll in Clemson University's Master Naturalist Program. It's an intensive, 12 week study of the low country's environs. My classmates and I tromped through woods, held snakes (thankfully a friendly corn snake for me), walked tidal flats and waded in shallow tidewaters finding all sorts of goodies and some oogie slimy critters..... While I love being a constant student of nature, I definitely like to focus on trees, wildflowers, raptors and water-birds :)
I show my nature inspired acrylic and watercolor paintings at galleries, attend a few fine art fairs a year, and accept commissions. But mostly, I enjoy teaching nature sketching/journaling with watercolor pencils and Niji waterbrushes and share my knowledge of the low country with other transplants. Many people are moving to the area, building is out of control, and we need to protect the fragile ecosystem of the marshes and rivers. Like my role models listed above, I hope to help my students see with new eyes and hopefully they will get involved in the quest to save this place we now call home.
You can view my paintings at my website and follow my low country discoveries at my blog. I'm also on Flickr.
Redcurrants in watercolour
Another watercolour today. The last redcurrants I picked in my garden and after trying them with coloured pencil I made them today in watercolour. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be.
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