Bearded Iris ~ purple and white

Bearded iris ~ purple and white

(unknown variety)

colored pencil on hot pressed watercolor paper

Framed size ~ 16" x 20"

This particular iris is a special plant given to me by my late mother-in-law. Martha was quite a gardener. Her beds always put me to shame as we were neighbors for quite a few years. ;) But we always had gardening in common and I treasured that relationship. She had given me starts of this beautiful iris to add to my own garden collection. I loved the striking contrast between the white top and deep purple falls.

"While weeding the garden one day..."

"While weeding the garden one day...", a photo by Art by Cheryl on Flickr.

Back in the garden....artistically speaking, that is...
As the temperature took a dive far below freezing a few days ago and the wind blew and the snow came down, I thought it would be good to start the new year off thinking about warmer times.

I started this piece 13 years ago--hardly seems possible! I call it "While weeding the garden one day..." The inspiration? ~ I was weeding the flower border one summer morning and looked up to see the zinnias in all their glory up against the blue sky. It was a stunning sight.

While I do love the winter, I am also looking forward to spring and a new growing season to inspire and record in my artwork.

"While weeding the garden one day..." ~  14" x 10" ~ colored pencil on Stonehenge paper

From a Late Winter Walk in the Field

from a late winter walk in the field , a photo by Art by Cheryl on Flickr.

The subjects for this page of botanical studies were collected while taking a walk in the field behind our home. These so called "weeds" were so striking set against the covering of snow. One of the things I love about botanical art is seeing the beauty in the intricacy of the ordinary.

"From a Late Winter Walk" ~ graphite ~ 16"x20"