"Cumberland KnobTrail"

Day trip to the Blue Ridge Parkway this past Wednesday.  Had a lovely picnic at Cumberland Knob.  Walked down a trail and sketched this scene.

                                                       watercolor and "Pit" artist pen on 7" x 10" sketchbook page

"Our Garden on May 24, 2016"

I sketched this late in the day on Sunday and then painted it yesterday on site at the same hours as the day before.  This view is looking toward the east.  Right now the "rose campion" (the tall deep pink) is blooming along with the orange "butterfly weed", white "yarrow",  and short pink "ice plant".

 Most evenings I sit on our patio and sketch and also enjoy watching the birds at our feeders and baths-so peaceful and relaxing. 

                                                       watercolor and "Pitt" artist pen on 7 3/4" x10 1/4" sketchbook page

"Fort Fisher Partners"

Just returned from a short trip to the NC coast.  Only did this one sketchbook entry.  Again and again I return to Fort Fisher where there are many windswept, seaside Live Oak trees in thick groves.

                                                     watercolor and Precise pen on 7" x 10" sketchbook page
                                                    

"Carolina Beach State Park Live Oak"

I know this was created a few months ago.  However, I missed posting this one from last November (2015).  I went for a walk on a maritime nature trail in Carolina Beach State Park and came upon a stand of lovely "Live Oaks".  There were so many beautiful vistas that it was hard for me to "land" on any one of them. I finally settled for this composition.  I love the many directions of the limbs and the negative spaces created by their twists and turns.  These forms were made by growing for years in the winds and weather of this coastal region. Just to the left of this scene about 40 feet away is the Cape Fear River winding it's way eventually flowing into the Atlantic Ocean. The flora and fauna of coastal NC is so, so beautiful to me!

                                         "Live Oak"
                                         watercolor and Pitt artist pen on 7" x 10" sketchbook page

"New Hanover County Arboretum in November"

Here are two more plein airs that I did back in November at the New Hanover County Arboretum in Wilmington, NC.  I spent most of the morning on the first one.  After taking a break for a picnic at noon in this beautiful garden, I spent the rest of the day on the second one.

                                          "Red Bridge"
                                          watercolor and "Pitt" pen on 7 3/4" x 10 1/4" sketchbook page

                                                     "Tea House"
                                                     watercolor and "Pitt" pen on 7 3/4" x 10 1/4" sketchbook page

"Greenfield Park Fragrance Garden"

Greenfield Park is a very large park in Wilmington, NC.  It is located near the center of town and is also a cypress inhabited area.  Around the lake are many wonderful vignettes just like this lovely spot.

                                                     watercolor and "Pitt" pen on 7 3/4" x 10 1/4" sketchbook page

"Wrightsville Beach 'Resting' "

I enjoyed the color of these neatly stored beach kayaks.  The rack is built along the shore of "Banks Channel" at Wrightsville Beach, NC.  It was challenging for me to get the perspective and construction of the racks along with the placement of the boats.

                                            watercolor on 10" x 7" sketchbook page

"New Hanover County Arboretum Beauty"

Here's another plein air from back in November at the New Hanover County Arboretum in Wilmington, NC.

                                                      watercolor and Pitt artist pen on 7" x 10" sketchbook page

"Snow's Cut"

A very pleasant day sketching a view of "Snow's Cut" at the point where it connects with the Cape Fear River at Carolina Beach State Park.

                                           watercolor on 10" x 7" sketchbook page

"Incoming Storm"

This was a late day storm approaching the NC coastline one evening during "cocktail" hour.  I sat on our balcony and enjoyed the beauty as I painted (glass of wine close by).

                                           watercolor on 10" x 7" sketchbook page