sketchbook :: slowly spring

Slowly, very slowly, Spring is arriving. Flowers from the market are warming up our table while there is still snow and ice outside.

And the birds have been busy at the feeders. They, too, must be wondering why Spring is taking so long to get here.

the quality of light

Shoreline III

watercolor and gouache on cold pressed paper

5.5 x 7.5 inches

©Ann Thompson Nemcosky

Yes, I am having fun painting these captured moments of the surf. It's about the place where water meets land but also about the ever changing light and color of the water. I never tire of that when I am at the beach.

sketchbook :: ignoring the details

The first sketch in my newly made spring sketchbook, looking out my back door to the hillside across the way at the late afternoon sky. Actually I am looking through many tree limbs that live between my house and this hillside but I wanted to focus on the light of the late afternoon sky casting its glow on the hill this first day of spring.

When I settled in to do this sketch I first gathered my supplies on the kitchen table then looked around for inspiration. And I put dinner on. And tidied up a bit. Not finding a suitable subject for the first page in my new journal I looked out the window and noticed the sky. So I began painting that. I enjoyed using this watercolor paper that I had chosen for my sketch journal. I left the sketch to dry and attended to other things. Then it was time to clear the table for dinner. When I picked up my sketch book I realized that the first page spread that I had opened had flipped over by an entire signature when I wasn't paying attention. So my ceremonial first sketch for the first day of spring is actually five page spreads into my journal. In my world where these kinds of details are extremely important this was nearly a disaster. I do hope this isn't some kind of an omen for the season. The message here may just be to slow down and pay attention.

Equinox

I am so ready for spring to arrive. Around here, it does seem to be taking its own sweet time though. Still, I am making new things, ready for the season to turn. Anticipating more warmth and light, and keeping a sense of balance to the days.

I have begun learning how to make my own organic skin care products. It is amazingly easy. Kiddo joined in the fun by making her own minty herbal shampoo. Above are freshly made tins of a herbal salve that we were all eager to try. It turned out to be wonderfully soothing for our wintry chapped skin.

Some colorful cotton for my current crochet project - a beach/pool tote bag. This will be just the thing for toting beach towels, sunscreen, and maybe even a sea shell or two.

Finishing up my winter sketchbook with a watercolor sketch of the aloe plant that lives on my kitchen windowsill.

Artisan bread. Good every season. And so easy to make. This loaf joined a meal of roasted vegetables and grilled salmon.

A new sketch journal in the works for the new season. A ritual I have been keeping for a couple of years now. However, this book is being made with 140lb. Kilimanjaro cold pressed watercolor paper instead of my usual Canson Edition paper. It was time to try something new. Kilimanjaro is my preferred paper for my watercolor paintings, and I do like the feel of the surface. A little soft, not too pebbly- is "pebbly" a word?

And here you can see my messy work table with projects in process. It's all about balance. The balance of creativity in all pursuits, whether cooking or painting, homeschooling or making a home. And celebrating the balance of the Equinox this very welcome spring.

Marsh Crossing

Marsh Crossing

watercolor on cold pressed paper

7.5 x 9.5 inches

©Ann Thompson Nemcosky

I love it when the water is a mirror of the sky, punctuated by the shapes of the marsh grasses. And yes, creating more edges.

capturing the edge

Shoreline II

watercolor and gouache on cold pressed paper

5.5 x 7.5 inches

©Ann Thompson Nemcosky

This is what I worked on yesterday. I just can't leave alone all of those images I have collected of the surf. There is something about edges that fascinates me. Where water meets the land, or fields meet the tree line, the horizon line of sky and earth or sky and water. What started out with every intention to be a combination of drawing and watercolor became almost entirely watercolor once I had that loaded brush in my hand. And I managed to lose some of my white areas along the way but that was remedied with a little white gouache at the end.

sketchbook :: grapes

Thank you all for your comments on my last post. I do appreciate your kind words. I am slowly getting back into my creative routine. Kiddo's grapes offered a nice sketching opportunity the other day.  I have missed visiting many of your postings, I know, and will be checking in to catch up on everyone's creative endeavors. The art blogging community is such a wonderfully supportive environment, I can't stay away too long.

when life gets tough

Return to Thunder Hill

watercolor on cold pressed paper

7.5 x 9.5 inches

©Ann Thompson Nemcosky

It is time I return to this space. It has been a tough few weeks yet things are getting better. After returning home from my dad's funeral we all came down with a nasty flu. Days of bed rest has helped. Being home is comforting. Thinking about one of my favorite places, Thunder Hill, on the Blue Ridge Parkway, lifts my spirits. I painted this a while ago, and am happy to have this painting to remind me that there are brighter days ahead.