Two Apricots and a Plum

I'm trying to stay seasonal (a barely spring wind today that's making a Memorial Day planting of peppers and tomatoes doubtful) as I paint still life, but walking through the fruit department in the grocery store yesterday, I couldn't resist this color.

Barnyard, Evening

The farm down the road casting a long shadow in the last light.

Cherries and Peony

I brought this flower on the 600 mile trip back from the garden in Washington my grandmother planted half a century ago, and it's now sitting on a kitchen windowsill while I wait for the peonies I planted here a few years back to bloom.

Side Garden

James dug what looked to me like random holes and threw bulbs haphazardly on a grey and windy afternoon last November, trying to beat the first heavy freeze. I watched him out my studio window and thought "why bother?"-- I hadn't had time to design a proper spring garden and anyway those hyacinth, tulip and narcissi never appear as expected in May. This spring as usual I learn a small lesson in trust and optimism.

Last Year's Hay

I was feeling discombobulated in my studio today, as I always do after being away from painting for even a few days. So I packed up my brushes and pochade box and drove away from home in a dark and desperate mood. A few turns down dirt roads, and I found myself looking into this valley, and everything was all right again.

Sunday Sketchbook: Vermont

The country store is still open for business in at least my portion of small town America--no 7/11 will be replacing the co-op in Adamant anytime soon.