Karlyn Holman- Negative Painting with Color Sanding

Karlyn Holman- Negative Painting with Color Sanding
Originally uploaded by linfrye

This abstract of a forest floor was done last year at Karlyn's workshop. Since we're leaving this morning for another workshop with Karlyn, I thought I'd post it today.

I've always thought I would add some other element to it - butterflies or something else - but never got around to it. The more I look at it without anything more - the better I like it. It's all watercolor, done with negative painting and sanding colored watercolor pencil shavings onto wet paint. Reminds me of the floor of our forests this time of year - a mix of oranges and browns and greens with bits of yellow leaves still showing.

It'll be a full day of fellowship and painting, instruction, a fine lunch - and an artist whose enthusiasm and expertise are thoroughly enjoyed and admired ...!

Hope your day is wonderful, too!

Oxford Barns

Oxford Barns
Originally uploaded by linfrye

12" x 14"
Arches 140# CP

I have passed these old barns so many times since moving to Oxford, that I promised myself that one day I would stop the car, walk into the woods, take a decent photo, and paint them.

I finally did.

While these two structures sit close to the road, the woodlands and traffic make stopping somewhat risky. One quiet day early this month, C and I managed a quick, hurried stop. The barns somewhat more decayed than I've painted here - but that's another painting.

C's jam, our dinner with guests, music, walks - all went beautifully yesterday. Fabulous company, including my son who's improving daily, fun and laughter, sun-shining and warm temps all contributed to a really enjoyable and blessed day. It's been a very welcome respite.

Today I dash into the office, teach a bit, and then dash again to the airport to pick up my guest for the week. Art classes begin in the morning, so I'll be scarce on the 'net this week. With my crazy schedule I don't often get the chance to attend art classes, and so this week is a true gift and much anticipated time to actually WATCH others create and ask questions.

I hope your week is terrific, and I'll post as I can -- but you can bet, I'll be painting daily!!! YAHOO!

Asian Garden at Duke

Asian Garden at Duke
Originally uploaded by linfrye

A few weeks ago, the Arboretum conducted a tour of Duke's Asian Gardens (Durham, NC) with my dear friend, Pam Beck. The weather was cool, the leaves turning colors, and the rich shade and stonework around each quiet turn -- ever so serene.

I snapped photo after photo not just for the incredible scenery, but to try to capture that elusive feeling of harmony and peace.
I painted this from one of those photos.

I spent the day yesterday preparing for a dinner party today, C's jam, my friend's arrival tomorrow and art classes all week. Mike left for home - feeling so much better and hopeful. He will have his staples removed Tuesday, and we're hoping he'll be able to set a date for his last surgery.

The house is shined, the porches swept, the clothes ironed, soap crafted, supplies readied, dinner prepared, my mother and son healing.

I am grateful for this moment of peace.

Garlic

Garlic
Originally uploaded by linfrye

Daily Practice
Journal

I'm in the throes of readying for company tomorrow and all next week so time is mighty scarce. Mike also returns home later today, so it'll be a busy time insuring he has all he needs at his own apartment as well as helping him move.

I have to admit that I have thoroughly enjoyed having him here. We've spent a good amount of time together talking and planning and sharing those things that our daily lives or other urgencies often don't leave us sufficient time to talk about.

This time with Mike reminds me of those times when the lights go out. We seem to return at those times to more quieter, simpler ways of being in this world. We rediscover just how important we are to one another--and those 'things' that typically occupy our time and attention fall away into the distractions they really are - yet we can't see that fact in the light of day.

I"m not recommending 'lights out' by any means - but simply that we 'wake up' more often to those things that hold real meaning to our lives, honor them, and give those 'distractions' the minimum attention they merit.

I can hope.

Ginkgo

Ginkgo
Originally uploaded by linfrye

Daily Practice
Journal

Ginkgo is one of the oldest surviving trees and has been found in the fossil records more than 270 million years ago.

Ginkgo biloba, a dozen of which are planted around the Arboretum, are reputed to be long-lived and grow best in well-watered and well-drained soils. The Ginkgo is believed to be extinct in the wild, but cultivated specimens were found in China, preserved by monks, and from them re-popularized around the world. The species was first brought into the United States by William Hamilton in 1784 for his Philadelphia garden. Frank Lloyd Wright popularized the tree and thus it has made its way across North America.

The ginkgo is dioecious - meaning reproductive organs are found on separate trees (like the persimmon) - the males on one, the females the other. The fruit, found only on female plants, when fertilized, becomes an oval, tan-orange globe that, unfortunately, has a most 'disagreeble' odor . I won't go into the comparisons of its scent, but the smell is so bad that many female trees were removed from city streets. The male ginkgoes do not produce a fruit and thus are those most often planted in the landscape.

Ginkgoes are virtually pest and disease free, slow growing, and can reach heights of 75 feet. They grow in US hardiness zones 3-8A with a spread of 50-60 feet when mature. Their fan-shaped leaves are unique and turn one of the prettiest yellows during the fall season. The ones I've painted have come from the Arboretum's trees. Two of the grouping are completely yellow, while the rest - just barely losing their green!

Ginkgo leaf extract has been used to treat a variety of ailments and conditions, including asthma, bronchitis, fatigue, and tinnitus (ringing or roaring sounds in the ears). Extracts have also been used to improve memory and to treat Alzeimer's disease.

Last of Fall's Gold

Last of Fall's Gold
Originally uploaded by linfrye

Daily Practice
Journal

Traveling almost two hours south reminds me again of the importance of various climate zones. The small difference of 100 miles and half a temperature zone, in addition to recent warm days and bright sun, finds pockets still of golden leaves and yellow fields. While I've used a bit of 'artistic license' to enhance the golds in this work, nonetheless, there are still fall displays nearby that have not yet succummed to our recent winds and cold.

Our first freeze is expected later this week, and I suspect that more and more scenes like this will be duller by next week. But the momentary glimpse of the season's splendor was certainly a delight!

Mike is making good progress, and though the four hours of driving to and from home each day to work is tiring, seing his progress, helping with his health care, are all more than rewarding. Again, thank you for all your prayers and good thoughts.

We've a board meeting tonight so the hour will be late when I get home .... but the pile of paper on my desk has been lowered significantly! Have a great day!

Rose Hips

Rose Hips
Originally uploaded by linfrye

Daily Practice
Journal

I returned to work yesterday to be greeted with a truckload of paperwork and the actualization of the rumored 'changes' that have been hinted at for months. I think the new ideas and changes will all have a positive outcome, but at the moment, it feels like another whirlwind of crises to think and plan and work through on top of all the events of the last few weeks and escalated workload of the last few months. I'm reeling.

I tried to paint my way out of this new tornado I'm experiencing, but I don't feel like my painting or my thought processes have been entirely successful.

Still, when I got back home, Mike was showing signs of increasing progress - he walked several times, spend a good amount of time on the porch and has held down all his meals. Our temps yesterday were hovering around 70F ... so the day couldn't have been more grand for him to 'take the fresh air.'

I will still be taking my much needed week off from work next week despite all the 'happenings.' I'll be participating in another two-day Karlyn Holman workshop and several classes at Jerry's Art in the Carolinas. While the timing of my 'leave' isn't especially fortuitous work-wise and events could not have been anticipated months and months ago when this week was planned, my body and mind tell me the time away is EXACTLY what I need.

With all the new demands, I'm afraid my internet time will be curtailed the next few weeks, so forgive me if I am slow to respond.

I'm off to swirl some more ...