Hiking & Painting in Nature – Chicago
My hikes never cease to provide surprises, even some half buried in the snow. On this cold winter day I found amber jelly rolls. Amber jelly roll (Exidia recisa), is a fungus that grows on downed twigs and limbs. Beautiful blobs of jelly they are, chilling on frozen branches on the ground. An interesting fact … Continue reading Amber Jelly Roll in the Snow Watercolor
A Red-breasted nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) came by to say, "Hello." In return I fed him suet. I quietly sat contemplating his woes. They are many, for while he ate his breakfast it was a mere 8°F. He ate alone and used the pine tree in my backyard for cover several times: grabbing suet, flying to … Continue reading A Red-breasted Nuthatch Said Hello
Are you one to despair on a gloomy day? Does the weather hold you as a prisoner in your own home? Please, let me charm you on the joys of a rainy day. Yes, joy. The forest is alive, even without leaves on the trees, with the deafening sound of pelting rain. It vibrates and … Continue reading Rain Created Watercolor
Winter isn't deprived of beauty. Yes, color is a little more drab but really, beauty is still all around us... you must look a little closer. Where winter is weak in color, it makes up for it in texture. There is texture to be seen in every inch of every step you take in the … Continue reading The Allure of Winter Weeds
The setting sun beckoned my company for one last moment. The clouds declared a mood, consecrating these last seconds. I was ordained a devotee. Such was my walk at dusk. This painting was inspired by a gorgeous sunset just the other day. You would not believe how easy it is to paint this scene. You … Continue reading Let’s Paint Christmas Birch Watercolor!
This is Let's Paint Nature's 500th post! To celebrate, let's post a free step by step watercolor demonstration!!! And let it be an easy on at that. Here we go.... This scene was taken from Knock Knolls in Naperville, IL. It will be a very simple watercolor sketch. When I want to do a quick … Continue reading Let’s Paint an Easy Winter Landscape Free Step by Step Watercolor
Black squirrels are not common in Chicago. I've only seen two in my lifetime, so you can imagine how jubilant I was to find one running in my own backyard. Happy like a little child. Nature has that way about it....to make you young again when you least expect it. To catch you off guard … Continue reading Black Squirrel White Snow Watercolor
Snow is softly falling and I have the privilege to watch without interruption, to watch without keeping track of time, to watch without any obligations for the remainder of the day. For once in a long time I can be instead of do. I do not have much experience being. I am only familiar with … Continue reading Snow on Sage Watercolor
Not only are the reeds frozen, but the animal tracks are too. Frozen in time. They tell a story which I love to read when hiking in nature. I have to put the pieces together from this story... whose tracks? When were they made? Did the animal have the silver moon as a guiding light? … Continue reading Reeds Frozen in Time Watercolor
Did you ever receive an original painting or drawing as a Christmas card? If you did, how did it make you feel? I bet it made you feel extremely special. Just knowing that the person who sent it to you didn't grab a generic one from a box, but actually sat down and took the … Continue reading Let’s Paint an Easy Christmas Card! Yes you can do this!!
