So much to celebrate in May: the end of Winter, the safe return of the Humming Birds, the almost start of Summer. The Design Studio celebrates with an early Memorial Day Garden Party.
Peccos National Park, NM
Peccos National Park has just about everything - wind, sky, ruins, views and even flocks of bluebirds. Take water and walk where thousands have walked before you.
New Mexico Wildlife Refuge
While strolling in Santa Fe last month we met some unusual residents. Part of a fund/ consciousness raising effort on the part of the organization which rescues injured animals. Pen and ink, journal pages.
Under a dark and stormy sky! Taos, New Mexico
Driving up to Taos last weekend. Amazing sky all around.
San Ildefonso Pueblo and Black Mesa
A week ago we were in New Mexico. We visited San Ildefonso Pueblo, just outside Santa Fe, one cold, windy afternoon. Luckily it was one of the days when it did not snow. The pueblo is famous for its beautiful black pottery. Hand built rather than thrown on a wheel and polished by stones. The clay is dug locally and fired in the traditional manner of the pueblo, using animal dung for fuel. Dwarfing the pueblo is an enormous rock structure, "Black Mesa", almost a guardian spirit. It seems alive, the colors change with every shift of shadow. Go on a cloudy day. Journal pages, watercolor.
New Mexico sky
Very cold, even snowed on three different days. Luckily at this time of year the snow is light and dry. Wonderful open skies and amazing cloud formations. Watercolor, journal page.
Back at work again
After a very busy week at Hedgecon, Santa Fe, the team is back and hard at work.
Getting Ready
With only 24 hours to go before their departure for the annual Hedgecon Santa Fe. Wilfred was having a hard time deciding on a choice of hat The squirrel interns try to advise discreetly.
Pueblo, after a little more work
Getting close to being finished. Acrylic on canvas, 20 x 20 ". Pueblo patterns of light and shade.
Signs of Spring
At last the Spring bulbs are justifying all that nail breaking digging in frozen ground last November. The blue and purple grape hyacinths are so beautiful . Sadly I only appear to have 2 even though I know I planted nearly 50 bulbs. Somewhere close by there must be some very well fed squirrels...
Soho Windows
Looking is the best part of being in Soho. Windows, fire escapes, the people!! Windows and fire escapes. Ink and wash, journal page.
Pryor Park
Pryor Park, Bath. Brown ink over gesso. Journal page .
Pueblo. Still working on this one
Thinking about the light.... Acrylic on canvas. 20 x 20. This may look quite different later today
Cherry Blossom Viewing
Agile admires the fragile beauty of the Cherry Blossom while Lancelot is moved to compose a short poem.
Seasonal Pleasures
Finally it's really beginning to feel springlike. Snowdrops past their best, artisanal organic crocuses for the squirrels and daffodils in bud. I wish I had the camellias too but they belong to an English garden. Watercolor, journal page.
A Different Color Palette - Remembering Bali
A much warmer color palette, in contrast to all those very grey winter scenes. A somewhat abstract depiction of Ubud, Bali's so called "Art Town." Painted in multiple layers of acrylic with stamped prints to suggest the grid pattern of small streets and lanes and finishing with stenciled roofs. Wish I could go back. Acrylic on canvas, 24 x 24 "
High road to Taos.
Landscape - watercolor over gesso. Adobe church high in the mountains and folds of thick gesso.
Rainy Day
A wet, late March sort of day. Watercolor and colored pencil over gesso.
Lancelot tries to help
Seeing me struggle with my calligraphy, Lancelot kindly offers a few helpful suggestions. Is there nothing that Hedgehog can not do?
Adventure in New York
Adventure in New York, exploring at the Explorers' Club. As the guest of a true Explorer, Alison Nicholls, http:/www.NichollsWildlifeArt.com/ I spent Wednesday sketching at the Explorers Club. Seated in the Trophy Room, surrounded by every conceivable type of "souvenir" and momento, I drew heads and horns. It was amazing! Thank you, Ali. Shown here are 2 views of some of the specimens and my friend Ali, hard at work
