#28 30 Paintings in 30 Days Geraniums at Luxembourg Gardens

#28 Geraniums at Luxembourg Gardens   8x6 Oil on Paper/Board    $125.00

These simple geraniums were one of the first things to catch my eye as we strolled, trying to stay awake. Luxembourg gardens were built in 1612 and I wondered to myself whether these same flowers were planted every year. They were so lovely and fresh!

Gold Crested Wren Journal

I'm so looking forward to a bit of time in the sun and coming back to spring and a garden teeming with birds announcing the coming of spring. The massive amounts of snow will be good for the garden and for that I'm grateful. These guys are always just a pleasure to paint and I can't help feeling they have personalities.
I've spent a lot of time this month building a website and changing my blog template while it snowed away so I'll unveil all of that when I'm back.

Mactaggart Sanctuary Paintout

6x8
Oil on Linen Board
This is such a wonderful place and it was truly a surprise to me. I didn't go with high expectations. We took the boys one day when we first moved here but it was snowing heavily and the trails weren't great. Then in subsequent years, there was a lot of construction on the road leading to it so it just fell off our radar. I'll return happily next time.
There were quite a few people celebrating the return of spring with a brisk hike. They were very interested in us strange folk painting away but they were respectful as well. I believe the Sanctuary part of the name is meant for the birds but it was equally wonderful for us humans. There was a painting scene in every direction you turned, the challenge was settling on something.

Spring has sprung

Necessity being the mother of invention; this little painting covers the old front door bell. We had to change our door bell last year but people weren't seeing the new one so I covered the old one with this little painting. Worked like a charm!

A sure sign of Spring in Edmonton is when the jackrabbits coats turn brown. This is the first time I've seen our resident "bunny" with it's spring coat. A week ago it was pure white, 'course a week ago, we still had snow. A couple of days ago Faye Christian Phillips posted a little painting of the bunny in her yard and she inspired me as always.

It is just lovely and I can hardly wait to get outside to paint and garden.

Plaid Bunny

This was actually last week's exercise but I was working on plums. I think I painted this little guy yesterday in self defense. We're back to very cold weather here and I'm ready for some spring. I do plan to get back to posting actual paintings but right now I have windows for the exercises and then a larger painting. I hope this bunny puts a apring in your step and a smile on your face!