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Thursday, March 27, 2014

My Week in the Garden by Lynn Cohen

Earlier in the week I went out into my backyard to find something to draw. I was surprised to see the
Tree Guy had come and cut back the fig tree with out actually scheduling it. I did call and tell him to come anytime, and he did! It was a pleasant surprise that he'd done it without my knowledge.
 

 
This tree grow so tall and wide that it overcomes this part of the yard. I hope now with it just 8 feet from the ground I'll be able to get as many figs as the birds do way up at the top where I cannot reach!
 
 
 
My  Next endeavor was to draw from a photo I had taken in my yard of this velvety lavender plant,
which as the fig tree I drew first in ink using my Faber-Castell artist pen, black SX.
 
 
 
 
 
 
And then I painted it in watercolors (Newton & Winsor)
 
And finally, I found another photo, this time of my beloved Hollyhocks. I once had fifty of these wonder stalks growing tall in both our front and back yards. They do reseed themselves and return
each year, but not in such abundance anymore. I  will get five or six a year  now.
 

They have such happy faces and kind of sway and dance in the breeze!
 
Can you see them dancing with you?
 
 
If you missed the drawings of my grandchildren on Sunday last, scroll down one more post here!
It was such a fun day together captured in art!
 
Have a very creative week!
 
Have a Happy Paint Party Friday!
 
Have a Happy time with Sunday Sketchers!
 
Have a good life!
 
PS Pop over to Paper, Paint, Pencils & Pens as there is an amazing array of good art there too!
And do let us know in a comment box if you want to join us drawing there!
 

24 comments:

  1. It looks good to see them all together like this, very impressive. I hadn't seen the tree picture. Great drawing of such a complicated tree, and lovely painting. What a garden you have, marvellous. Having moved from our last two homes with wonderful gardens and we loved working in, it's quite a bit different in the apartments. There are gardens all around, with old trees and new ones, shrubs and some flowers, and lots of grass. Very nice, but no enticing little corners, or untidy areas. Quite a change but it's great to look out at, and the best bit is that the gardener comes regularly, and we always say 'Thank goodness we don't have to cut the grass now'.
    So I shall take virtual visits to your garden and enjoy all the variety and colour and flowers there. I never realised that fig trees could grow as big as that.
    It would be great to see a sketch plan of your garden with all its interest and wonders.

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    1. Jez, I too have hired a gardener the past several years now. As my back says NO to all day gardening I used to do before I discovered I could draw. My husband called me "mud hen" then as I would always be covered in dirt head to toe by the time I gave up for the day. This tree grew to hitting the house several yards a way and taller than tall after all these years. So it needs a cut back every few years now. And gets it. Glad you like my painting of it. I think this tree has so much character and I love to see my grandson climb it when he comes to visit. If it's in full leaf as it will be soon you cannot see the trunks or him once inside. Maybe later in spring or summer I'll draw a plan of the whole yard, but it's not that novel really. Just a huge rectangle of lawn surrounded/bordered by trees and plants and some flowers and flowering vines on the fence. We like it.

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  2. The drawings and colourings are beautiful Lynn, such a talented lady. Happy PPF, Annette x

    http://nettysartadventures.blogspot.co.uk/

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  3. Very fun to see in every way. I love seeing your sketches before adding color. I am a sore-back gardener also and my fingers are crossed that my stamina will keep up with my wishes

    :-) love kj

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    1. Dear KJ, I thank you for visiting and saying nice things. I hope your back allows you to garden for years to come. Just pace yourself. ;-) (my famous last words to myself).

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  4. wow.. those are totally awesome.... I'm still struggling leaving white spaces with my watercolours. You did great. I really enjoy these.

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    1. Thanks so much Andrea. I just keep practicing! ;-)

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  5. lovely pics lynn - and i envy you that fig tree

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    1. Thanks Mim. Come visit this summer and you can eat as many as you want. ;-)

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  6. Nice to see all these together. Have seen them on PPP&P .

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  7. I love that you revisit your drawings to create paintings. so often mine stay put in whichever form they first took

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  8. you have such amazing sketching skills, beautiful work!

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  9. Wonderful work Lynn...love the tree and all the garden sketches and paintings!

    Hugs Giggles

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  10. It was fascinating to see your beautiful sketches evolve into stunning paintings Lynn,
    Your garden must be a fantastic. You've inspired me to go outside into my own garden now. I've got lots of new plants to put in. Exciting times ahead.
    Have a wonderful weekend ;D

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  11. Oh the garden does hold much inspiration! Adore all of your gorgeous drawings and paintings, makes me anxious for Spring! Love seeing your garden through your paintings : )

    Annabelle

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  12. These are all wonderful. I have hollyhocks in my yard, too … well, in the summer, i mean. They do beg to be painted, don't they :)

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  13. beautiful illustrations Lynn!!! Sorry I haven't participated hardly but it's been difficult enough for me to keep up with my drawing classes and pages. This blog really inspires me to keep muddling through-so thank you!

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  14. Beautiful sketches and painted as well. I too love hollyhoks, each year I plan to get some new, but then forget it again. Perhaps this is the year to remember.

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  15. How I enjoy coming to your pages. Your free and easy sketching style seems to capture the essence of things. My favourite this week is the flower spike against the wood background. Perfection!

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  16. these are really pretty watercolors Lynn! I couldn't pick a favorite...I love them all!

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  17. Excellent work Lynn. I too love them all.....yet the hollyhock is calling to me.:)

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  18. Love your hollyhocks. We used to make flower dolls out of the blooms. Fond memories.

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  19. Hollyhocks belong to my favorite garden flowers as well. They remind me of England and their wonderful cottage gardens there.

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Thanks for leaving your comments as I love hearing from you. Your words of encouragement are why I continue to draw!