An Italian Deli In a Pot? : Daily Art Practice
Couch Talk
I can’t believe it is planting season! With all the sickness (still ongoing) and school activities, I completely forgot to plan my garden. Thankfully, I have my garden journal from last year that I can use as reference. Last year, I tried planting certain vegetables and herbs in pots on my deck but they were ravaged by blistering temperatures. Pots do not hold water as well as raised beds so that combined with the heat made for a failed experiment. I had a quick trip to the greenhouse recently so that will give me a starting point when it comes to what plants are available. #1 on my to-do list this week is to make a list for plant shopping.
StencilGirl Column
My quarterly column is up on the StencilGirl blog today. I am sharing a watercolor project with a fantasy theme. Here is a sneak peek of an ‘in-progress’ photo. To view the completed piece you can see it HERE.
Watercolor Shopfront
Previously, I mentioned that my In-laws visited Germany and Italy. They brought me back this beautiful tea cup and a lot of pictures full of inspirational buildings. One of the places they ate lunch at while in Florence was All’Antico Vinaio. The sandwiches were packed full of meat and at a very reasonable price. They have restaurants throughout Italy and 2 in the USA. I used a reference photo that I found online since all I had to reference was a photo of a sandwich and the restaurant logo printed on deli paper.
When I mentioned it as the “building with the stone exterior” to my FIL he laughed and said, “They are all made of stone in Italy.” As you can guess, the stone exterior is my favorite with all of it’s rough but smooth edges from years of weathering. The various colors of stone and the hanging hams add so much character. If I ever make it to Italy, this restaurant will certainly be on my list of places to visit.
Tea Day
I am joining the tea day ladies, hosted by Elizabeth and Bleubeard. Today, I am sharing some home-grown herbs from my garden that I use in tisanes and tea, peppermint and chamomile flowers. I am looking forward to growing more ingredients this summer.
What is a must-have or favorite plant in your garden?
Happy Tea Day,
Kate
Your shop-front paintings are always delightful. I really like this one from Italy.
best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Lovely Stencil girl project Kate, but I really love your watercolor shop front in Italy! Your perspective of all the parts are so spot on.
Good luck with your garden, and happy T day!
Good luck with the planting, I tried this yesterday, too.
Ohhhh, Italy. Yes. Yummiest Pizza at lille shops.
Love your painting on this one!
Happy, yummy T-Day 🙂
Hope you get your garden going and have some good results! Your watercolous ae wonderful, as always. Hope you are soon all well and helathy again. Happy T Day, Valerie
Such lovely art, Kate! Your colors and details are always so visually pleasing. I want to practice more everytime I visit you! Happy T-day!!! Hugz
Your are on stencil girl is gorgeus as it iis here too. Enjoy your garden adventures-do your children enjoy the garden work too?
Happy T Hugs Kathy
I’ve been working in my garden and still seem like I haven’t gotten anywhere. yet. I haven’t even touched the veggie plot. so you are not that far behind. Or maybe we both are-smile. I like your stone Italian building. You created lots of texture with the stone. And a trip to Italy would be very nice right now. . We can wish I guess. I hope the sickness goes away in your home and your garden gets done. Have a great T day and week ahead. Hugs-Erika
So glad you had your list from last year, I grow my herbs in pots and I have to water sometimes twice a day in summer. The only thing I can’t seem to grow from seed is parsley and it’s not from lack of water. I wish you luck.
Beautiful building. Nicely done watercolor with the extra details. Lovely Italian building. I also LOVE the tea you drew with the camomile flowers and the mint tisanes. Beautiful entry for T this Tuesday. Kate.
I love your shopfront this week Kate. I also have problems growing things in pots as I tend to forget to water them enough so I do better with raised beds too. I love the herbs for your tea too. A fave or must-have in my garden has to be rhubarb. I have planted it in every garden I have ever had and it’s so eat to grow and of course, super delicious. I also like to plant herbs and let them grow wild where they want. Happy T Day Elle/EOTC xx
I am always in awe of your sketches! Ahhh Florence, such a wonderful city.
Hi Kate. You are right about container gardens needing more water. They dry out quickly in sun or wind. I really love this art piece. So much detail. The cup is so pretty. Enjoy your day.
Your watercolor of Em is delightful and I love the backstory. As well as the story of the Italian shop. Himself does the real gardening, but I like to see the Heavenly Blue morning glories in my garden. I haven’t had much luck with them the past couple of years. Got them in the ground a little too late and by the time they were ready to bloom it was the end of October and cold and a bit of snow set in. We’ll see what happens this year. Happy T Day!
I’ll look forward to seeing how you plan your garden. I have decent luck with pots, which is a good thing since I’ve no space for raised beds. Happy T Tuesday!
I always adore your shop fronts kate.. My must have plant in the garden… probably several.. but one would be rosemary.. I love to run my hand along it and smell it.. Happy T day ! Hugs! deb
Good luck getting your garden in shape! I love the Italian cafe! The texture on the wall is wonderful. Belated Happy T Day, Chrisx