Over this last week I've been reacquainted with some familiar faces.
The weather has been good and spring has definitely arrived, although it's throwing in the odd surprise... like a random hailstone shower.
Those suckers can be really painful and make you run for cover.
But, generally the sun has shone... so wrapped up warmly I've ventured out into the garden to see what's been happening and whoosh as if by magic old friends have popped up everywhere.
The familiar smiley faces of the pansies have appeared... bringing their cheery colour to add to the bright yellow of the daffodils.
I couldn't resist trying to paint the pansies, but as usual I underestimated just how tricky these little bad boys can be.
I must just say that this painting session was definitely all about the journey and not the destination. The sun was shining, the garden door flung wide open to allow Muffy to lie in the warmth of the sunlight, and the birdsong to enter the house.
I definitely drifted off to some distance space for a while whilst painting.
Don't you just love to do that?
Hence, I think I got carried away with the inking.
I know I definitely did on the highlights, but as I said I was enjoying myself so much and wasn't really conscious of what I was doing.
I was going with the flow.
The daffodils and pansies appearing are like old friends and caught me by surprise, which is exactly what happened to me whilst out last week.
I was trotting along minding my own business, when a toot from a car made me jump as I crossed a busy junction. I thought I was crossing at a reasonable pace, but the second toot made me glare at the driver (who's face was obscured by the sunlight hitting the windscreen)
It wasn't until I reached the other side and yet more tooting sounded that I realised it was an old friend whom I haven't seen for over 16 years!
She parked up and we had a quick chat... well quick for us because she was on double yellow lines and we arranged to meet another day.
We met in a cafe and chatted for over three and a half hours (this stat mystifies my hubby).
Well,we did have 16 years to catch up on after all.
Three pots of tea later another familiar face enters the cafe and she joins us.
Once again I hadn't seen this friend for 16 years either.
Phew... that was some catch up and I was totally wrecked when I finally got home.
Old familiar faces and friends seems the theme for this week.
As usual I'm joining in with the Paint Party Friday
Click above on the PPF link if you'd like to see more art.
Thanks for stopping by and even more so if you've taken the time to leave a comment.
I love to hear from you and hopefully I'll be able to add you to my list of familiar faces and friends for this week.
Have fun!
One of my favorite flowers, Nessie. Beautifully done. hugs, Donna
ReplyDeleteThey have such bright colourful blooms which sometimes can look like little faces. They certainly are cheerful plants and very welcome in my pots and garden.
DeleteBeautiful pansy painting. Love all these flowers returning. And how fun to run into old friends, especially as a surprise like that. We saw an old friend this winter we hadn't seen in like 20 years and it was great. Hope your reunion was as good too. Happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteIt's a wonderful time in the garden where everything starts to wake up. Hopefully lots of promise and potential to come.
DeleteIt is fun meeting up especially when it isn't expected.
Happy weekend to you too.
Your pansions are very well painted. Really lovely.
ReplyDeleteHappy PPF and April 🌸
Thank you sirkkis, I wasn't really concentrating on the actual painting, so it was very relaxing.
DeleteHappy PPF and April to you too
Your pansies are really good Neesie - I love those little flowers - in fact Steve is planning to put some into the decking area of my new studio! We did have some lovely sunshine this week although today it's back to wet and windy! I absolutely love when you meet up with someone you haven't seen in such a long time and you just slot right back into blethering away like no time has passed at all - I always think that is the sign of a real friendship that even when life conspires to take you in different directions you can still spend 3 & 1/2 hours chatting and I bet those hours went by in a flash!
ReplyDeleteOh what a honey Steve is... your studio will look and be such a special place you'll never want to leave it!
DeleteOur good weather has turned today too. I was out yesterday enjoying spring, but I'm content to stay indoors today. Blustery mizzle isn't my favourite weather.
I'm meeting another friend next week and it's great because we have big chunks of time apart by that's never a problem... we just slot right back together. I think you're right it shows a real friendship.
Enjoy your weekend and new studio!
its so nice to meet up with old friends, I just recently did the same,,
ReplyDeletethis is such a beautiful piece,, the colors are so lovely,,
Aww thank you Laurie, I really appreciate your lovely comment.
DeleteBeautiful pansies, Neesie! I have never had the courage to paint one... How wonderful to have a week of friends popping up and popping over. Had to laugh at your husband's response to a mere 3 hour visit:-)
ReplyDeleteI'm not so sure I should have painted them either Minnemie, they were far more complicated than I first thought, but then that's me. I just decided that's what I was going to paint and carried on.
DeleteI'm not happy with the end result, but I really enjoyed my afternoon of painting
Yeah... as if three and a half hours was a long time. I've managed much more than that. Men!
beautiful pansies Denise! And how wonderful to have met up again with old friends-3 hours-no problem for me when I'm with my friends either:):) Happy PPF!
ReplyDeleteThree hours is just a quick fix isn't it?
DeleteI'm glad you liked the pansies Linda... I had a lovely afternoon painting them, even if I'm not happy with the end result.
Happy PPF to you too.
love your pansies and your life, how lovely catching up with old friends like that, if exhausting.
ReplyDeleteThanks Christine, I have to admit it's been a very good week. The spring weather has arrived with all of it's wonderful sights and sounds. I'm trying to appreciate every day.
DeleteI have to admit I was rather shattered after my meeting with friends, but it's a nice tired though.
Only 3 1/2 hours!? ;)
ReplyDeleteI know Rita... we hardly got started!!!
Deletethat is very pretty :D
ReplyDeleteyeah the random hail shower was really odd lol the ground looked like it had snowed
Thanks Jennifer, I'm not sure I'm fussed, but it I enjoyed the process. We're thankfully back to spring again today.
DeleteI LOVE your happy pansies and hearing about your catch up. How lovely to sit and chat and reacquaint (isn't that a bizarre looking word?!) oneself with 'old familiars'. I am enjoying seeing the daffodils wake up in my garden too, but I do think the tree blossoms are late this year. Maybe not, perhaps it's just my perception, but I feel the dark days have lasted an awful long time. We've enjoyed a nice few days and are hoping the forecast rain for the next few is wrong and the last Easter hols week is fine too. xoxo
ReplyDeleteThanks Mo, great to see you and I'm glad your daffs are popping up to bring cheer. I've now got masses of yellow and I'm thrilled that the tulips are showing buds too. I remember how many hours I spent on my knees planting the bulbs. I did wonder whether it was going to be worth it... but oh boy I'm glad I did plant them now.
DeleteI don't expect blossom until May, but maybe I'm wrong I could be getting mixed up. I know one of the main streets here has already had their blossom display come and go.
I certainly agree with you about the weather... it seems to have been a very long winter, but thankfully there are lots of signs for spring now. Unfortunately we have mist and fog here with lots of drizzle, so the forecast wasn't wrong... but it has to stop soon... doesn't it?
I hope you've enjoyed the Easter break and you've been able to relax a little.
Beautiful pansies! They are always a big joy for me until the annuals are planted in late May! What an exciting event meeting up with a friend after all those years! If only hubby knew....three hours is nothing with a dear friend let alone one you haven't seen in years!! It's amazing the wonderful inspiring things a woman with substance can talk about! Very enjoyable!! Our little secret too!!
ReplyDeleteHugs Giggles
I always think the pansy is a happy plant with it's little face looking up to the sun. It's a plant that can add colour to the bland winter months.
DeleteI know three hours is nothing when meeting a friend, so just laughed at my hubbies comments. It's a complete mystery to him... bless!
Wow these pansies are just beautiful. The attention to detail and the colors..... just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI had a wonderful afternoon Nicole, I just got lost along the way... so wasn't really thinking about what I was doing.
DeleteNo-one is more surprised than me, when I'm finished and look at the result.
These are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThank you Sandy,
DeleteThey looked so cheerful I couldn't resist painting them.
What gorgeous pansies! I think they're very beautiful. How sweet to have met up with friends from so long ago.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lisa, I think the pansy is a lovely pretty plant.
DeleteIt was good to meet up with an old friend and we plan to again soon.
What a lovely post all round, Neesie! Always great to catch up with old friends and a lovely painting of pansies too. :)
ReplyDeleteAww thanks Serena, I appreciate your lovely kind words.
DeleteThe pansies are quite delightful and I have always had a soft spot for them... one year I did a mass planting in a big pot and I tended those suckers like my life depended on it... the rest of the garden fell to disrepair but that one pot was marvellous... haven't planted them since lol... but looking at this makes me think some autumn pansies might be the go when it cools down a touch... as for covering 16 years in 3 1/2 hours... i think you did well!!!!
ReplyDeleteI always plant pansies in winter because I love their cheerful little faces adding much needed colour, during those dull days.
DeleteAs for 3 1/2 hours... I think I did extremely well too. We are going for part 2 next week. Who knows how long that will take?
I think my long and rambling comment disappeared... might have got trigger happy... in the mean time...awesome painting... you are being too harsh... and 16 years in 3 1/2 hours is quick in my book lol
ReplyDeleteHehe... no it didn't Trace, it's here.
DeleteHave a wonderful weekend
I love the blue of your pansies, Neesie. What do you use for the white in your flowers? Hope you're having a good week. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Alexandra, I really appreciate your praise.
DeleteI've used a Pentel Hybrid Medium 1.0mm ball pen. In fact, this is the first time I've used it and I think that's why I got carried away with it.
I hope you've had a good week too.
Apologies for taking so long to reply, but it's been that kind of week.
Neesie, your pansies are perfect! I found it hard too. I like the style you used on yours. Very pretty.
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful Denise - beautiful colors with great depth!
ReplyDeletesandy xx