Along the Way

 

Along the Way

watercolor on 140lb Kilimanjaro cp

7.5 x 9.5 inches

 ©Ann Thompson Nemcosky

 

Driving out to Edisto Island on our recent trip to the beach, I snapped many photos from inside the van as we sped along the two-lane highway. Blurry and compositionally flawed, they work wonderfully as starting points, jumping off places, for watercolor paintings. I am taking them as they come, in order, finding that something within, as inspiration. The view above is of the marshes as you approach the island, before the big bridge.

right now

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"right now" staying focused on the present, mindful and in the moment, an image from the week, with no words or a few words, that acknowledges the "right now".  If you would like to join me in this mindful weekly exercise, put a link in the comments for this post to share your "right now" image.

Sketchbook Tuesday :: pears

I found these gorgeous Red Bartlett pears at the market that just begged to be painted. Now to decide what to make with them. Last week I made apple chips. They were a big hit at our house. Easy to make although a bit labor intensive, but so worth it to enjoy all that apple goodness. I may try making pear chips, or dried pears for homemade granola bars, or... just eat them as they are.

A little bit more

Untitled Work in Progress

colored pencil on Rising Museum board

6 x 11 inches

©Ann Thompson Nemcosky

 

Slowly, slowly, I am working on this drawing. I still need to resolve the surf on the right hand side and then, of course, there is the wet and then dry sand of the beach to address. Lately, I haven't been able to sit still for any great lengths of time in order to devote much attention to this piece. But when I do manage some quiet time at the drawing board, I am so glad that I did. Moving this drawing along, a little bit at a time.

right now

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"right now" staying focused on the present, mindful and in the moment, an image from the week, with no words or a few words, that acknowledges the "right now".  If you would like to join me in this mindful weekly exercise, put a link in the comments for this post to share your "right now" image.

Sketchbook Tuesday :: windy decisions

Last week we went for a short hike on our town's Greenway Trail, just to get outside, enjoy the spring day, and do a little sketching. I settled into a spot along the river, where I hoped I'd be protected from the wind. Not. It was a challenge just keeping my sketchbook open! So this was done quickly, and distractedly. But listening to the fast river water, the birds, and yes, even the wind, well that was very nice indeed.

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A few weeks ago the wonderful Jennifer Edwards awarded me not one, but two, blogging awards. Thank you Jennifer!

A bit overwhelmed, I am still trying to decide just how to handle passing these awards on! I am supposed to list random facts about myself and answer specific questions. So here is a random fact: I have a terrible time making decisions. Most of the time. But if you've been visiting here for a while you probably knew that. Now here are the specific questions. You have no idea how difficult it is for me to decide on an answer for each one!

My favorite color is…ochre, or teal, or rose, copper brown, blue, sometimes green...
My favorite number is…13. Absolutely.
My favorite drink is…Pomegranate Blueberry tea, or wine. Occasionally an egg cream, but I haven't had one of those in years.
My favorite animal is… dogs. And cats. I am partial to sheep, too, but I've never known one personally.
Facebook? or Twitter?…Facebook. I don't have a Twitter account. All I need is another networking sight.
Getting or Giving presents…Giving. Definitely. Especially when I can make the gift.
My Favorite day…today! Hands down today has to be the one I like best.
My Favorite flower… I do love roses. And daisies.
My Passion… creating, drawing, painting, homeschooling Kiddo, reading, cooking...

Now, in order to pass these awards on, I first ask that if you haven't already, please do visit Jennifer's blog, Drawn2Life. She has been putting together some pretty awesome drawing lessons. I am still wishing to draw like her someday! And the rest of the recipients? They are you. Yep you. Because I could never choose just 10, or whatever. So the awards go to you. When you take time to stop in and leave a comment, you add sunshine to my day! Thank you!

Old Orchard

Old Orchard

watercolor on 140lb Kilimanjaro cp

7.5 x 9.5 inches

©Ann Thompson Nemcosky

 

More watercolor play. I am getting to the place where I feel I just might, maybe, have some control with this media. Just a bit, but not too much. There are still surprises. And oh, I do like that about painting with watercolor. The unexpected is what keeps me coming back to try again. 

 

This is a view from somewhere along the Blue Ridge Parkway, from another old photograph. The photo could be as much as 20 years old. It is part reference, part memory, and for the most part inspiration for invention. I believe this to be from a view along the Tanawha trail. Hiking out of the woods, onto an open hill side, with an old apple orchard in view. Unexpected and delightful at the same time.

right now

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"right now" staying focused on the present, mindful and in the moment, an image from the week, with no words or a few words, that acknowledges the "right now".  If you would like to join me in this mindful weekly exercise, put a link in the comments for this post to share your "right now" image.

Sketchbook Tuesday :: lilacs

Spring arrived early for us this year. First the daffodils, a month early, followed soon after by the forsythia blooming. It has been hard to trust this early blossoming. We kept thinking another snow, or ice storm, was sure to happen before it would really be springtime. But now, three weeks ahead of schedule, my lilac bush is blooming. I cut a sprig, put it in an old milk bottle (if you are of a certain age you will remember those little glass milk bottles from grade school) and placed it on the kitchen table. Love that scent of lilac. It's a good spring when my lilac bush blooms.

Spring has returned. The Earth is like a child that knows poems.

- Rainer Maria Rilke -

right now

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"right now" staying focused on the present, mindful and in the moment, an image from the week, with no words or a few words, that acknowledges the "right now".  If you would like to join me in this mindful weekly exercise, put a link in the comments for this post to share your "right now" image.

What's on the drawing board

Untitled Work in Progress

colored pencil on Rising Museum board

6 x 11 inches

©Ann Thompson Nemcosky

Since January I have begun and abandoned three colored pencil pieces. This is my fourth start. With the previous three I tried various materials or techniques that ultimately didn't make me happy. I attempted drawing on Pastelmat. It sounded interesting and I have seen many gorgeous colored pencil works done on this surface. But it wasn't for me, at least not now. I also experimented with colored pencil over a watercolor painting on paper and over a watercolor wash on pastel board with the same result - more frustration than pleasure in the process. So it's back to museum board for me. I do love the clarity of color that drawing on museum board allows. The process is slow, but sometimes I need that, slowing down, drawing as a meditative activity.

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I had so many fantastic responses to my daffodil challenge! Thank you to all who participated and for all the wonderful comments. I received a late entry today that I have to share. Please click through to take a look at Melliott's beautiful daffodils.

Sketchbook Tuesday :: sweet potatoes

We are big fans of the sweet potato in our house. They are very nutritious and one of the least allergenic foods. Our favorite way to eat sweet potatoes is as "fries", which are actually baked with a little olive oil drizzled over them and a few seasonings like garlic, parsley, and thyme. (on a lightly greased baking sheet at 475 for 20-25 minutes, stirring once during baking) So good.