“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” ....Oscar Wilde

Wednesday 23 September 2015

My Week On A Page #4 (Autumn arrives) PPF

It appears that spring has finally slipped quietly away and autumn has taken it's place.
I'm afraid I couldn't hang on to it any longer. 
All the signs are blatantly obvious now... the geese have flown over in their perfect V formations... chatting excitedly on heading south to warmer parts. 
The squirrels are busy evading my camera lens in their frenzied activity of preparing their winter food stores.
The leaves are just beginning to put on their autumn colourful display... with the odd leaf gently floating down to the ground. Many others will follow soon, but for now they're like gentle confetti. 
September is one of my favourite months, but one thing that I'm not happy about is the invasion of spiders coming into the house. No matter how often I sweep through with the feather duster... as soon as I turn my back... they're back and the web reappears.

Last Monday started out to be a very wet day, so it gave me the perfect excuse to head into the studio to create my week on a page painting.
Initially I sketched out the design 
The autumnal theme is prevalent with spiders and their webs, evasive squirrels and autumn leaves cascading down the page. I've also added into the sketch, packets used for collecting seeds. 
I have to admit that I've never taken the time to collect seeds before, but I'm going to give it a go this year. The trouble will be to remember where I put them when spring comes to call. 
There's also a bottle of dog shampoo included on the page, because we're heading into the realms of the daily paw spa. 
Muffy has hair (as apposed to fur) and once she gets wet, which lets face it when you're that low to the ground, is quite often. Even the early morning dew can cause soggy paws and tummy.
She can take an age to dry out.
It's a good job that she likes the hairdryer and will come running whenever she hears it.
I think she just loves the warm air blowing on her. 
A reminder of her youth when living in hot climates.
The remaining item is a helinium. 
One of my daughter's favourite plants. 
I've never grown them before, but have been delighted with their fantastic vibrant colour, like mini sunflowers in my border. I can't believe that they are still producing flowers and look like they'll carry on for some time to come... with lots of buds still to open.
They are perfect to cut and bring into the house for floral arrangements.
They last for ages too.
So here's the finished page... My week on a page #4
I have such fun creating these pages. 
It's a great visual diary.
Perhaps you'd like to give it a try? 
Paint Party Friday
Thanks for visiting and I'd love to hear what you'd include on your page.
Have fun and I hope to see you again soon.
Happy painting peeps!

41 comments:

  1. such a beautiful page and it almost tells a story,,

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    1. Aww thanks Laurie, as I mentioned I do enjoy creating these.
      I've also got two other projects on the go so I'm feeling pretty pleased with myself, managing to fit more painting into my day.
      What more could you want?

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  2. What a fabulous page. I had a giggle at the squirrel tail escaping off the edge :D The Helinium is gorgeous! I find the Rudbeckias do well around here too. We have many many Nasturtium seeds dropping so I intend to collect some and leave some as they will re-grow next year without a hitch. They've been growing well for five years, since Wee Man brought them home from nursery - awww - and they have spread nicely. I keep my seeds in the shed with my bought seeds so I remember where they are.
    We had a huge spider in the bath yesterday, a fore runner of the invasion I fear. Apparently there will be more than average this year because of the mild weather over the past year (Yikes!! not a big fan I must say).
    Your Sycamore(?) leaf colours are awesome Denise.
    TTFN _ xoxo

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    1. Thanks Mo, I'm rather late posting so some of the funny jokes about disappearing squirrels, and invading spiders etc have left for the night. I'm more of a morning person but today was so glorious I couldn't stay indoors to blog... so it was now or never.
      I'll probably be horrified when I read over it in the morning.
      I used to have nasturtiums too, but not in this garden. I have to admit I'd forgotten all about them. I used to use them in hanging baskets too... they fill in the gaps beautifully and yes reseed easily.
      At the moment we don't have a potting shed, only the wood store and garage. Both are my hubby's domain and he's constantly 'reorganizing'!!! So no matter where I put my seed packets, they could well be re-homed numerous times over the coming winter.
      By the way thanks for the news on the spider front... I'll look forward to that.
      I also have to tell you that my leaves were supposed to be oak leaves. (hehe)
      Anyway, I must get some sleep before the dawn breaks.
      Hopefully we'll have another day like today. Fingers crossed.

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  3. Hey, so lovely to see your painting emerge, it's a bit like those magic colouring books that we had when were kids that you used water on the paint brush and they appeared, do you remember? No probably not, as I bet you were highly talented in the art dept at an early age unlike me with my water on my brush!!! How you remember to stop and photograph is quite remarkable as I imagine when you get into the groove, you could forget?
    Just off to the beach, it's going to be a gorgeous weekend here.... so your chill in the air is a blessing down our way!
    Have a fun weekend yourself
    Wren x

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    1. Oh let me tell you Wren I remember those magic colouring books fondly. They amused me for hours. I'd forgotten all about them until you reminded me. A real trip back in time.
      Why I take time out to photograph my work is that I enjoy seeing others work progress, so I hope that others might like to see mine. It's a sort of pay it forward sort of thing. But let me fess up here. Sometimes I do forget ;D
      I love the thought of nipping off to the beach, but I have to confess we've had three gorgeous warm days here during this last week. The start of our autumn might well turn out to be better than the whole of the summer!
      Have fun and enjoy yourself in the coming week.

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  4. I do think the squirrel's butt is a perfect addition and so beautifully done as is your flower. Smashing art work as my British friends say! Or as my grand kids would say "cool"!
    There is no need to tell you again what a wonderful artist I think you are and how I envy you rartistic talents.
    Sandy xx

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    1. I'd seen a squirrel on our morning walk and I tried to capture a photo of him, but the little tink ran off just as I got it set up... so it seemed appropriate to have my squirrel doing a quick exit too.
      I know you say you don't need to tell me what a wonderful artist you think I am, but oh I do love to hear it! Is that a little self-indulgent? It's just hard for me to believe it. Even the word artist doesn't sit well with me, so if I hear it often enough I'm hoping I might begin to believe it eventually.
      Anyway... have a jolly spiffing week ahead Sandy... toodleloo for now. (Full on British speak... from back in the day)

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  5. I wonder if spiders hid in the flowers you brought in--LOL! Lovely page. It is such a wonderful time of year with the seasons changing. Fall seems like a time for evaluation and contemplation. Probably the harvest and end of the growing season is in my genes from all the farming ancestral line in our family, but I just love fall and the anticipation of the holidays. Have a wonderful weekend. :)

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    1. They're everywhere Rita,
      I'm daily having to evict them into the garden, but I think they just turn right around and head back indoors!
      It's been a disappointing summer here, but oh boy autumn has begun well. We've had three gloriously warm sunny days during this last week. I love autumn.
      The farmers have been extremely busy with the huge combine harvesters in our nearby fields. A real sign of autumn. Bring it on eh?

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  6. Love your fall page. I might do cabbage, pumpkins, apples...I'm generally food obsessed!

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    1. What a great idea Christine... very seasonal.
      I think you've given me a few idea's for my next week. Thanks ;D

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  7. Very cute - the spider to boot! Love the texture on the middle leaf, and the squirrel tail tells a story of its own:-)

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    1. Thanks Minnemie, I really have fun creating these pages.
      I'm trying to keep it light and loose.

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  8. Nice story telling page. Autmn exists there beautifully.

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    1. Thank you Sirkkis for your kind and encouraging comment ;D

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  9. What a perfect fall page. I can tell you are having fun with them-it shows. And our fall is arriving too. I am glad to have the humidity gone! have a great weekend.

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    1. We never had humidity Erika... in fact it's been the worst summer for quite some time. I think it will be much better now that we've entered autumn.

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  10. this is my new favourite page... and the spider is very cool... reminds me to get the pest man in to spray for redbacks around the pool lol... and mushu adored the dryer as well... i swear some days he got his feet wet on purpose so I could dry him off... they are so similar those mutts...xx

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    1. Now I never thought that Muffy would be that devious, but now you mention it I'm sure she could be. Sometimes it feels that Mushu and Muffy were in cahoots together!
      Eew... I forgot all about the redbacks although thankfully I never saw one whilst in Melbourne ;D

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  11. Your page is fascinating. I like the airiness and how you outline the beautiful artwork with your journaling. Happy PPF and Blessings, my friend! #44

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    1. Please forgive me taking so long to reply to your comment Arnoldo. I won't list all the reasons why it's taking me this long, but just to say... better late than never.
      I'm enjoying creating these pages and it's teaching me so much.
      I've recently completed a fifth page.
      Happy PPF and Blessings to you too ;D

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  12. Autumn really shows in your page, love that spider!

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    1. Thank you SusuPetal... I've completed another page since this one and that's full of autumnal colours. I'm really having fun creating them.

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  13. I loved seeing the progression of your painting. Wonderful work! I'm a big fan. :D

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    1. Aww Beth,
      Thank you for your kind words. I like to see other artists work progress so I think I should share mine too

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  14. I see I put my comment in the wrong box. I will go back and copy it here. sorry.

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  15. Another wonderful masterpiece of your day in color and perfection. The realism is so good, I jumped back when I saw the spider. And actually want to touch the screen to see if I could feel the squirrel's tail. Lovely work. I want to give this style a try. We are going to Lake Tahoe for a week... I will experiment there....Thanks for your inspiration every time I visit your blog.

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    1. What a lovely comment Wanda, you are very kind and I am grinning like a Cheshire Cat reading them. I'm certainly enjoying creating these pages and would recommend you have a play too.
      Have a wonderful week

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  16. This is truly a lovely page. I like seeing how you progressed. Each step was so deliberate. It lends to importance to your art.
    Nicole/Beadwright

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words Nicole,
      I'm just so sorry to take so long to reply. I've been creating more artwork lately so unfortunately the blog has been neglected.
      I plan to make amends and visit everyone soon... so pop the kettle on ;D

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  17. Every thing on this page is my favorite. I love how you drew and colored them. Blessings, Janet PPF

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    1. That's lovely to hear Janet, thank you so much.
      I've been creating so much more artwork recently that my blog has been neglected slightly and hence my delay in replying to you.
      I'll be visiting everyone soon. Blessings to you too

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  18. These are lovely Neesie. It would be fun to see what you would do for CT some day. :)

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    1. Thank you Michael,
      I'll certainly take a look at CT and hopefully be able join in.
      I've been busy creating more art and that's one of the reasons for my delay in replying to your comment. I'm usually much better with responding ;D

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