Thoughts of Warmer Days Ahead

February has been a good month on the rainy days to make plans for day trips this Spring and Summer to the mountains.  The sunny days this month (in between the rainstorms) have been a good time to walk out in the winter garden to make plans for the vegetable and flower garden this coming planting season.  Even with the rains that we have had this month, our Bird of Paradise bush has been blooming abundantly.  It has been great to look out the kitchen window and see all the orange and purple blooms.  A little tropical in the midst of winter. 

This month I have been working on an image (sketches from last fall) of  a warm-looking Sierra meadow which hearkens warmer days ahead.

Wishing you a little warmth in between the rainstorms.

New Beginnings

A new year has started with the beginnings of new intentions, new promises to be made as the year 2011 unfolds.  Because of this, I thought it would be  good to spend some time during this first month of the year to paint the January moon at dawn.  These images are from the first light discovered at the break of day along an early morning walk along the American River in northern California.  The first light of the day spotlights the tops of trees and ground with a glowing rosy shade as the darkness of the night gently and silently gives way to the new day.

As we begin a new season, I would welcome to  hear of your new discoveries and plans for the new year.  Wishing you new wonders and blessings along the way.