Iris

This is Iris.  She is the prettiest little goat.  Her mommy is white.  Her daddy is tan.  Out pops this black and brown, beautifully marked goat.  Besides being the pretty girl she is she also has the least fear of her siblings.  She jumps the highest, twists twice in the air and prances around like life is the best.  She goes to her new home soon and I will miss her.  Although my watercolors are getting little use these days I did have to pull them out and paint Iris so that I won't forget even one little mark on her face.  Here's Iris:

Add caption

Studio open

Studio, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

I took the whole day Sunday to be inspired and open my studio to wonderful colors like Cadmium yellow, Cadmium orange and Cadmium red. The inspiration came from my garden...pumpkins and squash everywhere...even on the chicken coop roof!!!
It was a great day to do nothing but create.

Flower power sketch

yellow flower button bracelet, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

Flowers flowers....none blooming in Denver so when the Sketchbook Challenge theme was flowers this month I decided to use this bracelet made from vintage buttons a my subject....daisies, chrysanthemums, yellow pearl beads and tiny white blossom buttons mounted on metal findings and strung together....must be from the 60's

All that glitters

all that glitters, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

A little time with my sketchbook:
Today I celebrated my friend Judith's life by doing some sketching and watercoloring. Judith passed away a year a go. She was a dear friend I made in Corona del Mar over 20 years ago. It was a golden friendship. She was a big supporter of whatever I chose to do...my own little cheerleading section as she was with all of her friends. When her belongings were shared with her friends I received the lovely little ornate blue perfume bottle.....perfume was still inside so I placed a little on my wrist and began my sketching.
The chicken topper I found at Williams-Sonoma years ago when I worked there. I couldn't resist. Now that I have fresh chicken eggs I use it often to top off the end of my breakfast treat.

The BLUES, or is it the PURPLES?

The Denver blues: Today it is 37 degrees....isn't it Spring? Isn't the sky supposed to be blue? Are Violets Blue? How about Dutch irises? Pansies? Blue or Purple? Grape hyacinths should be purple. Blue hyacinths should be blue. And Brussels sprouts? Really? Purple? How about Cabbage seedlings?

I do wish the real Spring would get here soon and the Blues will turn into sunny days

Gifts from the Sea, watercolor

Gifts of the Sea, watercolor, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

I have joined the sketchbook challenge (see right). It has encouraged me to sketch more often and try something new. There are prizes involved but so far there have been well over 1000 sketches posted. Each month is a different theme. This month is "highly prized" which intimidated me at first but came to realize that anything you are willing to sketch is a prize. I love to walk on the beach....so many things to distract the frenetic energy running around in your brain.....there is the ocean, the sky, the people, the birds and if you look down enough and are lucky there are shells. There are not too many on our beaches any more making them highly prized but through the years and after many walks you can end up with a little collection. I hope you find a good shell on your next beach walk

Fall leaves

Fall leaves, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

I have been collecting leaves and stuff the last couple of weeks when I take Sophie out for a walk. It has been so fun to pick up leaves the color of limes, lemons, chocolate and all shades of reds and golds. Today I found a cool tutorial on Alisa Burke's blog that inspired me to sketch directly with pen and change a bit of my watercolor technique as well. Very helpful!!! So while it was snowing outside I sat by the fire and sketched and painted. Who can complain about that?

dead and alive

Necropolis, Orvieto, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

Yellow beets

yellow beet, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

Besides the rich red colored beets there are also these gorgeous yellow ones and if you are lucky you can find chioggia which are candy striped. I buy the yellow ones when they are available. They are rich with a different group of vitamins and minerals than the red ones but equally nutritious. When you slice beets you see the wonderful rings inside which show up nicely in a salad

Radish frenzy

radish, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

I have a lovely day off today and since I filed my taxes over two months ago I have time to enjoy my day. If you know me or if you've been following my blog you know that the 3 things I love to do the most are paint, garden and cook. Today I did all 3.
I have been crazy about radishes lately. Last weekend I found these gorgeous big ones at the Farmers' Market. They have given me much inspiration and brought back fond memories of my childhood when it was so much fun to grow these little guys and even more fun to eat them....icy cold, fresh and crisp.

Winter hat

sweater knit hat, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

It's a little cold in the morning when Sophie and I go out for our walk. This sweater knit hat keeps my head warm and it is cute. I am practicing sketching hats.....they are not so easy. My friend and teacher, Jane, suggested the "frame" on her tutorial post. check it out Lots of greys and whites in this watercolor. I hope you like it

morning breakfast

strawberries on a napkin, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

Strawberries are fresh at the Farmers' markets again (well, actually they are fresh year round in southern California). Early in the season the are larger and sweeter. Yum. This morning I washed a few to add to my oatmeal and yogurt and placed them on a plaid napkin. I picked up my sketchbook instead of eating breakfast. It's the everyday things that inspire me to paint. Now that the sketch is dry, the strawberries are in my tummy.

Birdcage

birdcage, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

I bought this wood and wire birdcage about 8 years ago for a birthday gift and hoped I would actually use it for birds but it has since become the arboretum for houseplants. The sunlight is good on this ledge and the watering can is ready to give the plants a drink. This is about 5" by 5" and I think I will try again a little larger. Just a little before work sketch today.

sketch and watercolor from my trip

Paso Robles, February, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

images from my weekend in Paso. I think I will add Sophie into the picture

More green!

avocado, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

Is there anything more delectable than this California fruit? I haven't done much sketching lately but as I cut into this avocado to make my lunch the other day I was immediately inspired to do a watercolor of it rather than make guacamole. I must me crazy! What a choice. Do any of you remember when this was the popular color for kitchen appliances?

Ladies Slipper Orchid

Ladies Slipper Orchid, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

I am amazed! I have an orchid that has bloomed twice! I first bought this orchid from Roger's Gardens in bloom in August to help stage my house for sale. And then it bloomed again ( and the house is still staged for sale :( ) Anyway it was a lovely opportunity to get my art bag out and capture its beauty.

A little time to paint

Peacock feather, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

Peacock feather. I have been amazed by these gorgeous feathers always but I am even more in awe after looking at them closely. The DNA of these creatures is incredible. It makes me want to wear them in my hair...or on a hat!

Christmas paperwhites

Paperwhites, 2009, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

Today I cleaned the kitchen and put the baking equipment away for the season. It was a quiet & reflective day. I took the time to sketch my paperwhites. One I bought a couple of weeks ago and has been in bloom since. The other was a gift and is just showing the first signs of a bloom. I love the fragrance. It is more heady in the evening....right now. Paperwhites remind me of the simple things of the season. Tomorrow is the solstice. Winter is upon us.

tile roof detail

tile roof detail, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

All of the roofs were terra cotta tiles. They were beautiful and extremely functional providing insulation from the desert heat.

Ladybug in my hand

ladybug in my hand, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

This was my scribble for Thursday. Who knew bugs had so much detail up close