Creative at the Cottage

Was at the cottage, a little bored, so decided to get a little creative. My little inukshuks brightened up the dull day.

Artist Residency Week

My first en plein air painting - more difficult than I thought.

I love this photo with the clothes hanging out - It inspired me to do a painting. Even though I had to paint it from a different angle as it was raining out. I am not pleased with the painting yet - will have to work on it.

What a great week! Met some nice people and saw beautiful scenery and learned a bit along the way. Was so fun!

Here are some of the beautiful scenes from last week. These are from North Fork, Chichester, Quebec.

The Amazing Birth of a Dragonfly

I was totally amazed while kayaking, when in front of my very eyes a dragonfly was born.  I always wondered what those casing were and what kind of bug it was.

"Female dragonflies lay eggs in or near water, often on floating or emergent plants. When laying eggs, some species will submerge themselves completely in order to lay their eggs on a good surface. Most of a dragonfly’s life is spent in the nymph form, beneath the water’s surface, using internal gills to breathe, and using extendable jaws to catch other invertebrates or even vertebrates such as tadpoles, fish, etc. The larval stage of large dragonflies may last as long as five years. In smaller species, this stage may last between two months and three years. When the larva is ready to metamorphose into an adult, it climbs up a reed or other emergent plant at night. Exposure to air causes the larvae to begin breathing. The skin splits at a weak spot behind the head and the adult dragonfly crawls out of its old larval skin, waits for the sun to rise, pumps up its wings, and flies off to feed on midges and flies. The adult stage of larger species of dragonfly can last as long as four months." (from Wikipedia, the on-line encyclopedia).

Baby, it's hot outside!

We, (Mom, my sister and I) were so thrilled when we were invited for a pool picnic. Just what one needs in this heat. Here's a pic of my mom - she's 80 and looking cool.

Kayaking and the things we see

You never know what we (my sister and I) will see when we go on a kayak trip. I always bring the camera with me now. Here are some from May 25th, 2010

On July 7, just as we were coming into shore I was trying to take a pic of a vulture on shore and my sister said - Look, over there, let's get the kayaks up - he's coming this way. I am really afraid of bears and this is the first one I ever took a photo of in the wild.

Not quite finished

Started this one at Golden Lake Camp. Needs something - too much black at the bottom. May put in a big sail boat in the left hand front or maybe a widow's watch. Will have to draw it out and place on the painting to see which is best. Any suggestions, let me know.