I'm happy to report that we had summer come calling this week...well for three days!
It was beautiful to feel the sun's warmth at last.
Oh my, I've missed it so much... anyway here we are, Friday already.
It's been a mixed bag this week of lounging in the sun to make the most of it, visiting castles, balancing up ladders to clean windows and pulling various plants out of guttering which seems to have grown like a triffid.
But I did manage to do some of my art project and a quick painting of the beautiful Agapanthus that we have growing in our garden.
I think I'm quite besotted with their colour and I'm also so surprised that I've actually got them growing here in Aberdeenshire!
I used to have them in my Melbourne garden, but didn't for one minute imagine that they'd grow here.
As you can see it's unfinished work once again.
I've slightly lost the plot here peeps, because hubby has just walked in after shopping and produced art supplies for me!
Brushes, canvases and 34 piece Acrylic paint set.
No, it's not Christmas because I checked... nor my birthday... so do you think he's possibly guilty of something?
I'm not sure of the quality of the supplies until I have a closer look, but hey I was taught never look a gift horse in the mouth!
(I have no idea where or what that saying means, but you'll get the gist)
So I'm away to play.
Have a wonderful weekend.
It's time to join the Paint Party link up where Kristin and Eva host lots of talented artists to come together to share their work and inspiration.
I'm also linking up for week 4 (can you believe it) of Alexandra's Sunday Sketches from the UK.
I'm also linking up for week 4 (can you believe it) of Alexandra's Sunday Sketches from the UK.
Have fun and thanks for visiting my place.
Beautiful! I love watercolor flowers and those are lovely! Yay for surprise art supplies :)
ReplyDeleteThese are definitely my favour flower at the moment... I have to admit I'm very fickle and will change my mind every time a new bloom appears. I think their colour is spectacular and now my challenge is to try to replicate it. No pressure eh? :/
Deletebeautiful agapanthus! And lucky you getting these wonderful gifts from your nice husband!
ReplyDeleteThanks Christine, now that my hubby has retired he has witnessed my delight in creating my art, so when he saw the art supplies he thought he'd treat me! ;D
DeleteBeautiful
ReplyDeleteThanks Clare, I'm just happy that I managed to find the time to play this week.
DeleteDenise, what an awesome agapanthus portrait! You have such a wonderful talent. Appreciate it every day! Love your beautiful works.
ReplyDeleteAww thank you Faye, I'm really happy to read your lovely comment.
DeleteI have tried to appreciate my art over the last few years, but I need to prioritise it more. Hopefully I'll manage it!
Love your agapanthus flowers, they are such a pretty colour. I wonder if your hubby has a bad conscience?! Whatever, take the gift and enjoy it!Happy PPF, hugs, Valerie
ReplyDeleteThanks Valerie, I don't think hubby is guilty of anything because now he's retired he's with me every minute of the day!
DeleteIt was just a lovely surprise... now I've got to play with them.
Happy PPF
A wonderful painting and great that you brought that plant to bloom so well! Fabulous! What a nice man he is to bring art supplies - great! This quote is also used in german.. seems to be very very old - it comes from Latin language .. it's from the New testament - I think therefore it is translated and used in so many languages.
ReplyDeleteHappy PPF Neesie!
oxo Susi
That's so interesting to hear Susi, that the quote is known in Germany too. Thanks for your lovely comment.
DeleteI don't feel I can take much credit for these lovely plants... I just water and feed periodically.
Happy PPF
I love those flowers! Mine are all dried out by now, since it is so hot, but the color is lovely!
ReplyDeleteArt supplies! That is awesome!!!
Hot! Hot... what's that? Some of mine are only just opening up! The colour is appealing to me more and more with each day.
DeleteI'm certainly going to have fun playing with my new art supplies.
Gorgeous drawing. You really caught the likeness of the flowers. Sounds like you've had a busy but good week. Happy PPF-Erika
ReplyDeleteAww thank you so much for your lovely comment Erika, it's much appreciated. It has been a busy week, but then all my weeks seem to be busy. Happy PPF to you
DeleteIt is not easy to capture the minute details of this beautiful flower, but you did! And. The photo of them, I call the Lilies of the Nile, next to the row of lavender is simply heavenly!
ReplyDeleteKudos to a husband who brings home art supplies! Have fun using them!
Thanks too Nessie for your response to my query about blogging today! Your response is much appreciated ! And feedback like yours will likely keep mine going! Thanks!
I have to carry on adding detail to this painting, but I'm so happy with it so far. It is more involved than I thought... but that often happens with my choice of subject. The lavender has been brilliant and so popular with the bees.
DeleteHubby has been carrying out a count to see how many bees visit (the lavender in particular) and at the highest count there were 29 bees at one time! So I feel we are doing our bit to keep the bee population going!
As to the art supplies... I'm looking forward to having a play soon. Happy Blogging and PPF to you ;D
Hello Neesie,
ReplyDeleteyour flowers are very beautiful.
Thank you a lot for your encouragin words on my attempt to paint, and for the linke. It was really amazing programme.
We got here also a couple of warm sunny days after heavy rains.
Wishing you the most enjoyable weekend xx
My pleasure sirkkis, as to that link maybe I should mention it in a post for anyone who might like to see The Mystery of Van Gogh's Ear'
Delete(http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07nswft) I really enjoyed the programme too.
I wish you an enjoyable weekend too
We have the same saying with that gift horse here in Finland, funny how some things are so universal!
ReplyDeleteNew art supplies, that's a treat!
The color of those flowers is beautiful, as well in your drawing and au naturel.
So by the sound of it that saying could be a European saying because Susi says it's known in Germany too.
DeleteI'm very lucky to receive surprise art supplies and now I'm looking forward to playing with them. Hopefully sooner rather than later!
I love the colour of the agapanthus too. We had this colour and white ones in Australia. I've just realised that in fact you can see some examples in my header!
A beauty! Looks like a pressed flower it's so life like! I'd sign the page and call it done. Ooh, hubby's up to something...arty gifts for no reason? Hmm. We were back in the convection oven temp range this week. Hot air hot breeze....stayed in the ac and working on my first collage mixed media piece. Have a wonderful weekend!
ReplyDeleteThank you Nan, that's such a compliment. I've decided to leave well alone and call it a day. I actually like the delicate look. As you know I normally put lots more detail in and outlines... but I decided to leave this one as is.
DeleteI think the art supplies were on a discount promotion and he can't resist a bargin. It was a win win situation. Win brownie points with me and enjoy a bargin.
I think you have all the heat this summer because we've had very little. Stay cool and enjoy your AC and collage making.
Oh Denise - I look at your wonderful painting and die a million deaths. Now that is supposed to be good! You work is gorgeous and you know I love everything you do. How do you get so much done!!! Your garden looks amazing - absolutely amazing. Your husband is a real sweetie and you say he is good looking too!!! By the way kid, your water color paints look brand new!!
ReplyDeleteSandy xx
Well what can I say after reading these kind words Sandy, you know I doubt my artistic works, but your words make me smile. Thank you so much... I really appreciate them. I really mean that.
DeleteI think I manage to cram a lot in because I flit (which is possibly my problem) I do a little of everything instead of concentrating on one particular thing for a good length of time. It seems to work for me, but I'd love to devote more time to some things... but then I'd have to give up sleep and I dread to think how I might be if I did that!
The watercolour paints are what I bought in when in Melbourne, so they're getting on now... a little like me!
Did I actually say he was good looking Sandy... or did I mention George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Aidan Turner etc etc? (hehe)
your flower is so pretty and delicate. How wonderful to get surprise art supplies!
ReplyDeleteThanks Julie, yes the art supplies were a lovely surprise. I now just have to find the time to have a play!
Deletepossible background to the horse phrase :)
ReplyDeleteand yes, the sun was really nice but of course back to the rain :p
Hey Jennifer, we had a really hot day. So much so that it reached 38 degree's on our patio. Admittedly, it is in full sunlight, but it was a treat!
DeleteFoggy misty mornings now but it's still warm(ish)
Well my dear we all know you don't need flowers...so hubbys gesture of love is one of your favourite things,no?. Unless of course he too has decided to take up painting!! Whenever Beardo brings Cupcake something nice, or does something for her which is ALL the time...she says, " This is my diamonds!" because she loves and prefers all that over diamonds! I love your photos and painting of Agapanthus! The photos with your painting would make gorgeous poster prints!! Love the garden photo soooo much too! Great post! Full of love and beauty!!
ReplyDeleteHugs Giggles
You have a point there Giggles, I always have flowers surrounding me both inside the house and outside, but you made me shudder thinking about hubby taking up painting. I wouldn't mind the four or six inch brushes for ceiling/walls etc but not my kind. I've only seen one drawing of his in all the 40 years I've know him and I still remember it well!!! I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing!
DeleteI'm happy to hear that you liked the post too :D
have fun with the new paint set. My agapanthus bloom beautifully at Christmas.
ReplyDeleteI will Jill... just as soon as I manage to find some free time to play!
DeleteOoh agapanthus at Christmas would be wonderful, but that'll never happen here!
I just used that exact old term myself--LOL! They say you can tell the age and condition of a horse by looking at its teeth--hence don't look a "gift" horse in the mouth or don't examine or analyze the quality or condition of a gift. It's a gift.
ReplyDeleteAnd that sounds like a most wondrous gift!! That you will put to good use--just look at those flowers. :) :)
That sounds so logical now that you explain it Rita.
DeleteI've just got to find time to play with the new art supplies... which might prove difficult. I suppose I could give up sleeping? :/
Love your sketch of the flowers, and the beautiful colors. And I like it the flower is free :)
ReplyDeleteI never thought of the flower being free... I like that idea, so will leave it as it is. Thanks :D
Deletebeautiful flowers and painting. i've only ever seen those flowers in pink so the blue/purple ones are a pleasure to see!
ReplyDeletevisiting from Sunday Sketches
Ohhh pink! I've never seen a pink ones before. I think I might have to buy some white and pink plants now then. But I think my favour colour is this blue though.
DeleteWhat beautiful flowers and your painting does them justice! How sweet that your husband surprised you with art supplies!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lisa, it was a good day all round. Now I need to allocate some time to get to know the new art supplies.
DeleteBeautiful artwork love your drawings!
ReplyDeleteThank you Marijke, I really appreciate your kind words.
DeleteNessie....Your flowers are perfection. You really got the colors down pat. What a beautiful journal page. You are so talented. You can do anything :-) You have taught me a new work - besotted. What fun to learn new things. Hope it is not too chilly and rainy up there is your wonderful part of the world. Have a happy week. genie
ReplyDeleteAww bless you genie,
DeleteYou have no idea how much your words meant to me. I've been smiling all day since reading them.
I use quite a lot of my own words, but besotted is a popular one so you can use it with confidence. I sometimes get laughed at or ridiculed by my children for my 'special' vocabulary. At least it's always polite! ;D
Agapanthus have quite striking blooms and I love the colours too. Your painted one is beautiful, Neesie!
ReplyDeleteThank you Serena, I really appreciate your kind words. I have just heard that there are also pink Agapanthus plants, as well as the blue and white. I fear I might have to source some of those :D
DeleteYour post is calming - I just finished washing our terrace (started yesterday), my hands are dead. Your flowers - natural and painted - are so beautiful...aaaaah!
ReplyDeleteOn Friday off I go to enjoy hot and sunny weather..can't wait!
Take care!
Those flowers are beautiful, the colour really is gorgeous, and you painted them beautifully. And what a great surprise to get those art supplies! I'd be very happy to send you some of our weather if you'd like some more hot summer days. It's going up to over 30 degrees Celsius, and I could really do without that now, at the end of August...
ReplyDelete