Watercolor Demo

This is the 10" x 10" watercolor demo I started on October 12th on the patio while some of you watched. It took another few hours to get this far. It's close to finished, but I'm leaving for my 7 state southern loop tomorrow. So, it will settle until I return and see what needs to be changed.

Look to the right>>>>>>>>>>>>>and up; the email subscription box has returned. My daughter of pearled earth found it! Now you can subscribe and not miss a post. Thanks to all of you who comment regularly. I love it.

A thank you & a (mild) scolding

photo by Rodrica Tilley

Thank you to the hordes of happy art lovers who turned out for the Artists' Open House Weekend...I was too busy selling & wrapping originals & prints to actually take any photos of you all enjoying the fabulous autumn weather in my garden. It was a wonderful ending to my 14 years on this county-wide studio tour. I'm moving to Vermont in 2011 as most of you know. I so enjoyed seeing friends, fans & familiar faces.

The garden received many compliments. People were surprised that it was colourful! To my way of thinking a fall garden can be a little too subdued without DAHLIAS! Yes, they are a fair amount of work...you must dig, wash, label & store them after the frost...sort of like potatoes; you need a cool, frost-free storage spot...like the basement. But, that done you can forget about them until mid- to late April. Then drop the tubers in pots of gro-mix in the greenhouse or sunporch or living room window. When they sprout, water them and plant them out with 4' stakes in mid to late May. So those of you who go to the trouble of growing tomatoes & marigolds, may want to steal a corner for some real fall color. And in a lucky year that may begin in July and last until October. Your house will be full of bouquets.

Swan Island Dahlias is my favorite source...and their catalogue is great reading. I don't go for the dinner plate dahlias, but you may. Dahlias are a great investment...buy them once...plant & give away forever.

Four Nocturnes

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These are the four nocturnes that I mentioned in the previous post...well, actually they might more accurately be termed "almost-nocturnes". They are all on the edge of day...but leading towards night: two moons, two suns. They are hanging at my studio ready to greet visitors to the 14th Annual Artists Open House Weekend...October 9, 10 & 11. Hope to see you there.