Dwarf Iris Rules the Earth

In early spring my garden has a riveting swath of intense blue slicing through it. Iris reticulata are small (4-6 inches tall), but they make a big statement. Their display is especially welcome set in the debris of my untended winter garden. They like good drainage, sun and can survive much colder temperatures than we get here in Zone 4/5. 100 of the bulbs will only cost you $30 and once planted you can pretty much sit back and watch your investment grow, doubling annually. They have been pest-proof for me for about a decade...and you don't have to stake them like their larger relatives with beards.

For me they have been an elusive subject for camera or easel, until this year. I finally have a pastel painting of them I like. Dwarf Iris with Lichen is part of the Transitions Series.

Perigee Moon Set

Huge moon setting behind my garden...worth getting up early for! This is another of the 12 x 16 Transitions Series. It is done with soft pastels on a grey Art Spectrum paper.

Hint of Spring?

This is Silver Creek which I have painted many times. For some reason it does have a shimmery silver color to it many days...more so than other nearby brooks. It is a good day for ducks...and artists who like to look for the subtleties in color that are hidden from our view on a bright day. It is painted with a variety of brands of soft pastels on art spectrum gold paper. It is one of the 12 x 16s from the Transitions Series.