A sketch outing

We have had sweetly beautiful days here lately and wonderfully cool nights. It makes it difficult for me to settle into doing anything. I guess it's the knowing that all of this nice weather is fading fast. We had a pleasant outing yesterday with a visit to Daniel Boone Botanical Gardens right here in town. Kiddo got to practice with her new camera while the Professor and I did a little sketching.

(this moment)

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

-inspired by Amanda Blake Soule of SouleMama

Flow

Flow

oil on canvas

6 x 6 inches

©Ann Thompson Nemcosky

For purchase information click here

We are starting to get the flow back into our weeks, with the change from our summer to fall schedules. It always takes a little adjusting, fine tuning this and that. About the time our routine fits comfortably, it will be time for changes once again.

This is painting #42 of my 100 painting project. Another scene from Botany Bay at Edisto Island, SC. A bit of marsh where the tide fills it up and then flows out again with a comforting rhythm.

This dog

. . .is the best dog. Laid back, only barks when necessary, like when someone comes to the door. He's always ready for a lap to lay his head in or a good game with his favorite toy, if you are willing. He can sit and stay on command and can even dive to retrieve a frisbee from under the surf. He really, really wants to be good and feels oh so terribly sorry when he isn't. Which doesn't happen very often anymore.

This one is "The Princess". What she lacks in size, she makes up for with attitude. Spunky and talkative, she will argue with the crows in the trees or anyone one else who dares to confront her. She doesn't do commands and almost always gets her way. And she always has the last word. Just like some people we know. But we love her anyway.

These are both watercolor sketches in my handmade sketchbook.

(this moment)

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

-inspired by Amanda Blake Soule of SouleMama

In Between

In Between

oil on canvas

6 x 8 inches

©Ann Thompson Nemcosky

For purchase information click here

I'm in between things here. So I haven't been doing much art lately, which is really starting to bug me. However I have been feeling like getting into all sorts of crafty projects. I've been looking at new patterns to crochet, and lovely and fun fabrics, dreaming about all the cool things I could sew. It must be the season.  I've been busy planning homeschool lessons, clearing out the old to make way for the new. I somehow manage to forget just how much work that is every year. But it's fun. Starting a new routine and all. Once the dust settles I am sure I'll be back to my sketchbook and little canvases.

This is painting #41 of my 100 painting project. It's a view from Botany Bay at Edisto Island, SC, where a long boardwalk takes you through a marsh and on out to the beach.

(this moment)

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

-inspired by Amanda Blake Soule of SouleMama

Painting #40 and YES! We have a winner!

Sunset Sky

oil on canvas

6 x 8 inches

©Ann Thompson Nemcosky

For purchase information click here

This is inspired by the lovely sunsets seen from the beach at Edisto Island, SC. I love the Maxfield Parrish backlit glow that the sky creates only during that special moment of the day.

And now, the real reason you are here - to find out the winner of the set of four greeting cards featuring my drawings! The names all went into a hat and Kiddo drew the winning name for me. And the winner is..........

Autumn Leaves! So if you, Autumn Leaves, will email your mailing info to me at this address, ann (at) bluebirdhill (dot) com,  I will get those cards right out to you. Congratulations! And thank you so much to everyone for commenting and for your interest in my art. I really, really, appreciate it. You all make blogging so much fun!

Monday Sketchbook

Yes, we have tomatoes! I sketched these in watercolor just before they became dinner.

Don't forget to leave a comment on my previous post before midnight (Eastern Daylight Time) on Tuesday, August 10, to be entered in my give-away.

Let's party!

It's my Blogiversary! Blog Birthday! Well, it's been three years, anyway, since I started this blog. Three fun and rewarding years. I have met so many kind folks and made countless new friends over these past three years. Now it's time for a celebration!  Pictured above are the Print of the Month greeting cards from the past four months, May, June, July and now August. Leave a comment here, on this post, before midnight (Eastern Daylight Time) on Tuesday, August 10, and one name will be randomly selected to receive this set of four greeting cards featuring my art works. Thanks for coming to the party!

(this moment)

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

-inspired by Amanda Blake Soule of SouleMama

Blue skies smilin' at me

Blue Skies

oil on canvas

6 x 6 inches

©Ann Thompson Nemcosky

For purchase information click here

Nothin' but blue skies do I see. It was time for a change here. So yesterday I played with making a new header and tried on various color schemes for size. I wanted to move away from my safe beige. To a color that says, "Aaahhhh". Surprisingly, it was the deeper tones that showed off the art work better than the more pale colors. Yet pale is so much safer in matters such as this. Or unassuming anyway. Which is my usual tactic. So I am not entirely committed to this new look. Or to the new header. That's a work in progress also. Please let me know what you all think. Does this new look feel calm and comfortable? Is it a refreshing change? Or does it get in your way?

Pictured above is #39 of my 100 painting project. A view of the sky on a summer day as seen from my back yard.

Coneflower watercolor sketch

A new sketch for Monday, one of our purple coneflowers. It's about 6 inches square in my watercolor practice pad. I have really been enjoying the flowers in our garden this year. And here it is August already. I've got a new Print of the Month over there in the side bar. Plus something exciting will be happening here on Friday. Happy August everyone!