Showing posts with label backyard creatures. Show all posts
Showing posts with label backyard creatures. Show all posts

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Interviewed....

I have been talking with Sue Smith of the Ancient Artist:Developing an Art Career Over 50. Today she has posted my interview in her Sunday Salon Series.
In Sue's own words this is what she is setting out to do:

Artists have always come together into groups where they share common passions, philosophies, argue over content and inspire each other into greater accomplishments. Some of the great groups that come to mind were the Impressionists, the Ashcan Painters, the Abstract Expressionists, the Modernists in Taos...the list is endless. I believe that an artist cannot create in isolation, nor can he or she take the necessary risks without the motivations, challenges and inspirations found within these groups. My goal is to create a similar environment here, a virtual salon where each month (or week) I "sit down" and talk to an artist about whatever we want to talk about. My sincere hope is that others will join the conversation through comments left on posts and through future interviews. Using this format instead of a discussion board, my hope is for a more in depth, focused discussion that informs, challenges, and encourages everyone.

Now I had to ask Sue where I fit into this, she has interviewed some amazing artists, ones who are very accomplished. Sue assured me that there are people out there who will want to hear how I have been learning to draw in the last year and a bit.

The Sunday Salons are a great way to get to know some new and wonderful artists. While you are there, Sue is an accomplished artist, well worth checking out her websites. I know you will find favorites as I have. You will also find an abundance of information on developing an art career.

Friday, February 1, 2008

New game of tag....


I've been tagged by Steve from Steve's Drawing Blog. This tag is for five things you don't know about me.
1. I have a degree in Architectural Technology. I used it in a job for about three years, ha, about the same amount of time that it took me to get it.
2. I love strong, strong coffee. I can drink it right up until I go to sleep, but I can't drink it in the morning. Coffee before 10:00am will have me snoring before noon.
3. I go for breakfast with my Mom, my Mother and Father In-Law, Lenore and anyone else who can make it every Friday morning.
4. My favorite season is Autumn. I love how the clouds race across the sky and the temperature is perfect.
5. This summer I will have been married twenty years!!!

Okay, now it is time to tag five other people.
1. Indiaartist- she is doing one a day paintings and is turning out some beauties!
2. Astig Museum- Pepe is bringing to life his memories of the Philippines . His drawings are full of colour and movement.
3. MBaldwin Fine Art-Marcia does one absolutely gorgeous painting after another, they are full of fun and colour.
4. Color On! - Cindy, who I just found while bouncing around the blogging world, does beautiful Coloured Pencil drawings. She uses an underpainting technique that I find very interesting, as well as working on black paper, something I am struggling with.
Now my tagged people have to tell five things about themselves, then go out and tag five other bloggers. Have fun, get to know people.

Saturday, December 22, 2007

My Wild Turkey?....

This Turkey has been visiting us for the last couple of months. It just loves the acorns, or something behind my fence. I went looking through the web for wild turkey pictures and names. To my surprise I found out that this Hen(?) is a Bourbon Red, which is an heritage turkey. While I am sure he was hiding from the American Thanksgiving table, I do wonder where he came from??

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

My Neighbor's Backyard...


It's funny what you get to "see" when you walk around with a camera in your hand. The yard through our glass block looks rather Alice in Wonderlandish, compared with reality. I see mazes and racetracks. What do you see?
My neighbors actually have been working hard on their backyard. Making a butterfly garden and a haven for birds and wildlife. It has been fun to watch, the other day I saw a Pileated Woodpecker at their feeder.

Busy Bee....


This little guy was real busy. When I first saw the picture I thought the yellow was part of the flower. But when I compared it to another picture I realized that it was the bee's back legs covered with pollen. Also when you look at the second picture you can see an example of before and after a bee visit. Funny the things you know about but have never seen.

Monday, July 30, 2007

Photo Treasure Hunt....

William and Douglas went on a photo treasure hunt. They took five pictures of each item on the list. These pictures are the favorite in each category. Next we are looking up what each thing is.

The boys picked Wilbur the Great White Pine for their tree picture.

They picked this rock for the skeleton image they could see.
We think this is a Gypsy Moth Pupa, insect picture.
The boys picked Grumpy for their person photo. Dad got the Grumpy sticker at Disney World because he was grumpy in the morning.
In the toy category they picked their friends Nintendo DS Lite.
Our neighbors 2007 Hyundai, Santa Fe made the car category.
Bob made the cut for pets and animals. Bob is a Great Dane.
The mailbox came about in 1923.
Good fences make good neighbors. We learned that this phrase comes from Robert Frost's, Mending Wall.
Inukshuks make really interesting garden structures.
This fire hydrant made the anything category. In addition to being handy for putting out fires it is a doggy message board.

Best photo of the day.

Our American Toad....




This American Toad is Canadian and lives under our deck. One of the things I read says he is poisonous and we should wash our hands if we touch it, ugh. I should also make sure Gracie doesn't get a hold of it. It can kill a pet. I can't imagine Bob giving it the time of day. I saw babies hopping around also.

Monday, July 23, 2007

Visitors in our backyard....


We have decided that this guy is a fisher spider.
He hangs out around our pool.










I think this guy is a male gypsy moth.
I found him on our patio door.


Friday, July 13, 2007

Yellow jackets....

Yellow jackets getting started on a new nest.


Favorite building material, our cedar deck.


Vacated old nest.