Fascination

In the language of flowers,one of the meanings of carnations is fascination.Purple carnation specifically mean whimsical,capriciousness.

I bought this little bottle from a charity shop yesterday ,I love the shape and colour of it and hopefully I will be using it a few more times.

Keep warm everyone and keep painting. : )

Blooming II

We have the lovely fragrance of hyacinths in our living room.

Flowers leave some of their fragrance in the hand that bestows them."
- Chinese proverb

Apple of My Eye

SOLD

"The flowers of the apple are perhaps the most beautiful of any tree's, so copious and so delicious to both sight and scent." -- Henry David Thoreau, Wild Apples

Blooming

Love is like the wild rose-briar; Friendship like the holly-tree. The holly is dark when the rose-briar blooms, but which will bloom most constantly?
Emily Bronte

Fruit of the Vine

I had planned on painting the hyacinth bulb, which is now fully flowered ,but I've had such a tiring day that I decided to paint something less challenging.Although I had just as much fun doing these very sweet grapes.I'm still sketching happily in spare moments.

I wish you  joy in all your creative pursuits. : )

Red Rose III

"The heart has its  reasons that reason knows nothing of."

Blaise Pascal.

Hearts and Flowers II

I have been asked to design some more cards for Stockwood Park Museum and also some paintings with a Valentines theme for a local shop.I went out today and bought some red roses and this is the first.Although I might change my mind tomorrow and change it.

Emerging Hyacinth

Scatter seeds of kindness everywhere you go;
Scatter bits of courtesy - watch them grow and grow.
Gather buds of friendship, keep them till full-blown;
You will have more happiness than you have ever known. Amy R. Raabe

Summer Heat

This weeks challenge on DPW is to paint using "Tangerine Tango".Ever heard the song by Style Council...Long hot summer???? It always brings back wonderful memories of school art lessons spent in the fields.........

Pink Tulips II

Don’t let the fear of the time it will take to accomplish something stand in the way of your doing it. The time will pass anyway; we might just as well put that passing time to the best possible use.
- Earl Nightingale

An apple a day II

 I have submitted another apple painting to web.mac.com/micheloosterhout/anappleaday/about.html.This is something I posted on the 17th of February 2011.

"May the dreams of your past be the reality of your future."

Fresh Start

In the past I've been able to control my sugar cravings for months and even years by completely giving up refined sugar.So I've made a fresh start and enjoying,guilt free sweet natural foods such as strawberries,raisins,dates,persimmon.Breakfast today was strawberries to start with and then porridge with raisins.
I've entered this for this weeks Paint your breakfast challenge on DailyPaintworks.

Sweetness

My husband bought me these sweet sweet ,gorgeous fruits because he knows i  love them.

Courage

When flowers open  into this world they  have no idea for how long they will bloom,will the sunshine,will they be admired for their beauty or ignored,cherished or not.Yet they bravely bloom for all they are worth........

Blushing Apple

You know how it is...you're in the kitchen cooking and something catches your eye.....

These apples are called Egremont Russet and they are heritage apples.I absolutely love the taste,very sweet with a hint of pear flavour.

Nevertheless IV

The lillies I bought  eleven days ago are now past their best but still beautiful.
I find with  flowers if you cut the stem really short it makes them last at least four days longer.

Poinsettia 11

My present mood is taking me into  a direction that is opposite to my usual style.I have gotten looser over the last year but its hard to relinquish control normally.With this its more about emotions,I'm letting go of rules and allowing myself to make mistakes ,just to see where it will take me.As artists I don't think we ever stop searching for that perfect interpretation of our inner vision,in the process we find success at the most ,or at the least ,release from this constant need to express ourselves.

Fun

I had fun painting this,I'm not sure if its a success ,I'll leave that for you to decide.Today has been one of those steely grey days with a bite of frost.I felt like bringing some warmth and colour into the day.  : )

Apple and Toaster

This weeks DailyPaintworks challenge is to paint your toaster and reflections.Most of my toaster is white so  I chose to paint the top part.

Poinsettia

I buy a poinsettia every year and always try to keep it going for as long as possible,but they don't last very long.I wonder if anyone has any tips on keeping these colourful,festive plants going all year.