Sedum Garden

"Sedum Garden"
8" x 8"
Pastel on canvas panel

It's the end of the season for Mary's garden, but the sedum were at their peak, so I featured them amongst the sticks and stems of what was a gorgeous display a month ago when I was there. 

This piece is VERY much prettier in person… very tapestry like, but the greens photographed as black.

Carol

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Garden Waterfall

"Garden Waterfall"
8" x 10"
Oil on canvas panel

I was in a setting today at the Gardens of Woodstock with a waterfall, green plants and more green plants. I started out with a plan to paint them as they were, then I got tired of all the green and added color. There was no sky, the hydrangeas were green, the plant matter was green and so were the reflections in the water.  Everything was healthy ... but GREEN.  I changed it with a flick of my brush.  

Carol 

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Old Lyme Flowers

"Old Lyme Flowers"
9" x 12"
Oil on canvas panel

I walked through the gardens at the Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme, Connecticut, photographing everything in sight. I wanted to bring as much back with me as possible. I've been to Old Lyme twice. I cried when I left both times. Old Lyme is where the American Impressionists hung out one hundred ten years ago. They called it the American Giverny. I felt my soul come alive while I was in Florence's home where the artists lived and painted during the summer. There is a fine museum on the grounds now, too.  I may never go back, but I hope to go to other places in my lifetime that will delight me as much.

Carol

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At the Garden

"At the Garden"
10" x 10"
Oil on wrapped canvas

I had wanted to paint this scene that I photographed at the Botanic Gardens a couple of years ago, but never got around to it.  Now I know why I shied away from it for so many years.  There are just too many colors, textures, leaves and light patterns in it to be a successful painting. I could paint until it's about an inch thick and still not reach my goal.  I'm quitting right now before I suck the last breath of life out of it! 

Carol

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Gah-ZING Ball

"Gah-ZING Ball"
20" x 16"
Acrylic on canvas

When I visited my friend's garden in the spring, she had a gazing ball that fascinated me. Someone I know has always called them gah-ZING balls, thus the title. I painted this a while back, but never posted it.  Also, I was in the photograph, but painted myself right out of the picture. 

Carol

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Peg's Again

"Peg's Again"
10" x 8'
Oil on canvas panel

It's hot and steamy and the colors are intense in the garden this time of year, if you can get past the humidity and bugs.  

This was a thirty minute painting, but it would never have gone longer, no matter what, with the bugs and the heat of this summer.  I'll wait until it's cooler to venture into another plein air experience.  I'm not made of the right stuff for this!

Carol

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Peg's Front Garden

"Peg's Front Garden"
8" x 10"
Acrylic on canvas panel

In June, when the larkspur are blooming, that's when I enjoy painting in Peg's front garden. There's no rhyme or reason to this garden, as things reseed where they wish, but Peg keeps it weeded and walkways clear... enough. 

I use acrylics when I paint outdoors, and usually a palette knife, but this one was done with a brush.

Carol

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Peg's Garden Fence

"Peg's Garden Fence"
18" x 24"
Acrylic on canvas

In the front garden up by the road at Peg's you can tell it's June by the colors: pink, white and blue. Roses, snowballs and larkspur dominate one corner of her parcel of paradise.

Carol

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