Gardening On The Lake: Daily Art Practice
Couch Talk
We have had a lot of signs of spring, birds chirping, buds forming and sunshine! I guess that means I need to start planning my garden. I don’t start seeds as it is a lot of extra work and I don’t have a place to put them. I usually go to the greenhouse and purchase my plants because they have a good variety and are not that expensive. With food prices on the rise, I would love to plant enough to can. This year we would also like to add some fruit trees.
Any suggestions?
Watercolor Gifts
Most of my painting is for fun as well as to improve my skills. Occasionally, I will make something as a gift. Here are two that I gifted this year.
While I was in Florida, visiting my Grandmother and Aunt, I painted their home. My Grandfather and Grandmother moved from New Jersey to Florida, to retire in 1988 where they bought their home around a lake in Sun City Center, Florida. I remember visiting when I was 4 years old and being mesmerized by the palm trees, Disney World and being able to walk right out the back door to the lake. It had been 15 years since I visited and it was still just as beautiful, although this time I didn’t visit Disney.
Recently, a sweet baby boy was born to my cousin and I made this for the nursery wall. I used a reference photo that I found online. It was my first time painting fur and I learned quite a bit. After taking this photo, I made a few changes with the font and gave the fox a bushier tail but I forgot to take a new photo. The border was made by doodling.
Tea Day
I am joining the Tea Day ladies, hosted by Elizabeth and Bleubeard. My tea is Bengal Spice by Celestial Seasonings. I referred to this tea in my previous post and how I got this at a great discount. If you like cinnamon tea, you might want to give this one a try.
Happy Tea Day,
Kate
Those are very sweet gifts for your grandparents and your friend’s baby! People love images of their homes.
best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Your art is always so beautiful-perfect for special gifts.
Happy T Kathy
Both are just beautiful watercolor paintings Kate. I know nothing about gardening but I’m hoping to try a few container herbs for our patio… happy T day!
Oh Kate, the fox is so lovely and perfect for a nursery!
I don’t start my plants from seed either, I usually buy the plants as I agree , they are not that expensive. Right before the start of the pandemic – actually the day before the lockdown – I bought and planted a pomegranate tree because I like the bright orange color of the blossoms and it also reminds me of Turkey. The other fruit tree I have is a pineapple guava, I like the fruit, it has a slightly exotic taste. It’s also great in cocktails!
Half the fun of gardening is the planning. I’ve started my planning, and like you, I don’t have a place to start seeds except right in the ground. I am getting itchy green thumbs so I hope it is soon time to plant anything. Nice watercolor this week too. I think your fur looks great. I find there are some things I can draw and some things I just never can get. Everything you draw looks great. Have a great T day Kate, and the week ahead too. hugs-Erika
What lovely artwork for gifts. I bed the recipients loved them. You have reminded me it will soon be time for us to go to a greenhouse and get some flower plants. Last year we had some lovely ones, and one even lasted clear to late Fall!, until Thanksgiving, I think. Happy t day!
Yes, prices will rise, it´s a pain. Glad you can grow some food.
And a big wow on your art again!
Have a happy T-Day 🙂
Room enough for fruit trees would be wonderful! When I was little, my parents had peaches, plums, and figs in the backyard. Also blackberries and strawberries, and even corn for a while. It was so much fun to eat right out of the yard. I look forward to hearing what you decide on.
Retirement to Florida sounds exciting to me, but it’s too far away from family for me.
Happy T Tuesday!
This year I also plan to buy a few perennials, but I have good luck with a few seeds, like basil and coriander/cilantro. I love your watercolor drawings and your grandmother’s house in FL looks like ones I have seen there, too. And that is a cute fox.
That tea looks wonderful. I’ll look for it the next time I head to the store. Thanks for sharing your lovely drawings and tea with us for T this Tuesday, Kate.
I will grow very little this year due to my back, but I really hate it because not only if food expensive some of it is hard to come by. I love your art. I love how you can put in so much detail and make it look natural. Have a great day today.
So great to get out in the garden again, it’s so lovely spring is here 😁. I can’t wait to see what you plant this year, we tend to concentrate on the more expensive veggies when planting veggies too. We have a Braeburn apple tree which is very high yeild and I use the apples for both cooking and eating. The little fox is adorable and that tea sounds delicious. Happy T Day! Hugs Jo x
My cousin planted an apple seed in my parents garden and it grew! the apples would have been better if dad had pruned and sprayed . Such beautiful and thoughtful gifts you painted. Happy T Day
Hi Kate, loving your watercolour gifts, they would be very well received I bet, they are gorgeous. As for the garden, well it depends a lot where you like and what your weather is like, plus what you like to eat! I have fruit trees in the garden, they will take a few years to get going. I also have blueberry bushes and strawberry patch that give good yields every year so I think they are worth doing, and of course the rhubarb patch is also very productive. As for veg, I just planted potatoes and I’m about to plant peas and beans as they are easy to grow and flourish here. Sorry for my lateness, struggling with my sprained wrist. Happy belated T Day Elle/EOTC xx
In hope you can decide on which fruit trees to put in. My parents used to have plums, apples, blackcurrants and gooseberries and our neighbours had huge pear tree and grapes and damsons so lots of swapping went on! I adore that fox and how lovely to paint that lovely house! Belated Happy T Day, Chrisxx