Every year when the Japanese anemones come into flower I want to capture them on paper. Often my attempts are rather stiff and lifeless so instead of picking a flower to paint I had a little plein air session in the garden today. This is still not quite right, but better than previous attempts.
It was a lovely sunny afternoon and the air was buzzing with hover flies. I was too busy to get the camera set up but I will share these I took last August.
Unfortunately this year my lilies have succumb to lily beetle and the recent heavy rain finished them off ...
...and the eryngium is very disappointing this year...
but there are plenty of these iridescent green flies flitting around.
There are still a few swifts around, but they will be off soon. Early in the morning there are a dozen or so young blue tits and great tits at the feeders and occasionally a flock of long-tailed tits passes through the garden. It looks as if I shall be spending the summer at home again so it is great to have an eye for an urban safari.
News for give-away recipients - all gifts are in the post!
14 comments:
Love these pics and your sketchbook work!
love the painting - we are over run with hover flies too
I love your garden sketching, and your photos too.
Will let you know when the gift arrives :-)))
Beautiful post Jill and I think your painting is great - wish I could paint.
Jane x
I really love that Anemone painting. Definitely one to keep!
Great photos... the weather has been a bit odd this summer, but at least we're getting some sunshine this year!
Sorry about the the crop failure. That happens.
But your photos are lovely. I would never think of close-ups of flies. Those are amazing.
My lilies got stomped on when they were little--by me. By accident.
Love the sketch book page - I think you've caught the sense of these flowers really well.
What lovely fresh greens in that painting. I like Japanese anemones but they can get a bit invasive can't they? Those photos of the flies on the lily stamens are stunning Jill, just stunning and that blue halo on the eryngium is too magical for words. You are so clever. Lesley x
Lovely painting of the anemones. My parents had them in their garden and my mother who was NOT at all interested in plants always waxed lyrical about how sturdy they were and how they took whatever nature threw at them in terms of wind, rain, etc.
Beautiful, beautiful photos. Just lovely.
Jill your painting is fabulous, I do so admire your work and aspire to create lovely pieces such as these!. My own exploration into different art styles is continuing and I am very much enjoying it!
The painting is lovely - full of motion!
those anemonies are light as air, so pretty and I love the way you've captured the plump buds
Japanese anemones are beautiful and an inspiration for the painter, but as their season is late summer, they always make me a little sad. They are among the few flowers to flourish at this time, and for me herald the dying of the summer. Of course there's the joys of autumn to look forward to, but I can't help but feel the slipping away of summer.
Your lily/insect photos are stunning. These lily beetles are so flamboyant and in-your-face that it beats me how so many can avoid squashing and wreak such havoc !
Marilyn
Your painting is wonderful.... I love the boldness of it!
Great close-up photos too.
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