Nature inspired Art

I rocked yesterday. Yes I did. I was AC/DC compared to the day before when I was Yanni. I managed to knock out the laundry, cleaning and gardening. Which led to some picture taking of cute and pretty things sharing my outdoor space. Pictures I managed to process the same day! Shocker, I know. :)
I even started my gardening journal!
Temp: 79°
Humidity: 73%
Wind: 18mph
Wildlife spotted: Three Greenhouse Frogs, Zebra Longwing, Rambur's Forktail Damselfly, Shiny Orbweaver, Common Grackle, Bluejay, Morning Dove, unidentified caterpillar and Wasp.

I had been looking for the perfect Garden journal and found this one while visiting Annapolis.

Documenting the activities in the garden will help with future plantings but also will yield ideas for art, sketching and watercolor. It might even inspire a story or character. You just never know when and where inspiration will strike. And, I could always use another journal. :)

I named him "Bruiser" and tried to get him to tell me about his black eye but mum's the word on that!

This little Greenhouse Frog tries to blend in.

Garden Diamond. If only I could pluck it and wear it to some fab dinner party in Milan.

Abstract Hedge. Shot courtesy of my elbow while the camera was slung around my back. Cool beans.

Kaleidoscope Web

Poised for the Top

The Language of Rainbows

Coreopsis Backside

Mushroom Study

The mushrooms were found growing under the Ornamental Lavender. I've not been able to positively identify them but I think they may be the poisonous Deadly Dapperling. How's that for a name? Seeing these magical mushrooms encouraged me to finally start the long desired watercolor journal. I was inspired by Vivian Swift's book When Wanderers Cease to Roam: A Traveler's Journal of Staying Put.

I discovered the book at the famous Kramersbooks & Afterwords Cafe in Washington, D.C. The book jumped right out at me. I had been traveling for nearly two months and something (besides my grandmother) told me to "stay put for a while". I was captivated by the book. I'm ten years younger than Vivian but I could relate to her book in so many ways. I started traveling as soon as I was out of high school and haven't stopped. The wanderlust always seems to kick up and just a few months after one journey ends, I'm itching for another. In 2007 I traveled for two months straight and in 2009 I took six different trips. Her book has inspired me to "stay put" for a while and start a watercolor journal of my everyday...finding the same sense of magic and wonder in my own place as I would if I were riding a camel through the mountains of Israel or staying at a monastery in the South of France. Vivian's book mixes her everyday with tidbits from all her travels. A memoir of sorts. I liked that. As did both Missy & Phoebe who ordered the books as soon as they saw mine!

Of course I had lots of reasons NOT to start the journal now...I should wait until my travels this year are done, I should wait until the New Year, I should wait until I can watercolor better. I decided if I wait, I'll never do it. Yes, I have lots of projects in the bin marked "unfinished" but what the heck, it's fun to start something new! So here is my first entry in my new watercolor journal...inspired by my garden mushrooms. 

Garden Mushrooms, Ink & Watercolor

I did also manage to do some art while visiting Missy in Maryland and will share that tomorrow. For now, may you all dream in watercolor. :)