A ghostly flower and a mountain scene

Dear Nikki/Dear Sarah--Day 480 of our daily art adventures

Hi Nikki,

I have to start figuring out a way to draw earlier in the day—today was a busy but lovely day. Out to Saanich with Jen, followed by plant shopping (for both of us). As I was driving home with my veggies and plants and a cheese scone, I saw a HUGE sign near my house saying PLANT SALE. Of course I had to stop—even from my car I could tell this was no ordinary plant sale—and I was right! Hidden behind a high hedge was a fabulous perennial garden, from which the owner gardeners had propagated many beautiful plants, all in gallon pots, with information about the plants— names (in English and Latin) and growing needs. The husband invited me to tour the garden and I was blown away—not a huge space but so obviously loved and cared for by people who know what they are doing. Not showy. And not like going to a commercial nursery at all. Pure joy. and yes, I bought a plant for me and a rare blue bee balm for Jen. Deer resistant, which she needs.

I then returned to the kelp book (did you know they aren’t plants?) for a couple of hours and all of a sudden it was 6:30 and I hadn’t eaten or drawn. So here’s the ghostly flower I painted after dinner. I like this technique and the transparent effect.

XO S

Hi Sarah!

Impressive you were able to stop at only one plant! Sounds like you stumbled into a small corner of paradise… Today, I stumbled into a full on blizzard. Drove to the city and back and - so. much. snow. Enough!!

I’m not happy with the tree sausages floating in the middle, but ran out of time to peel them back up and do something different, so for now, there they float…

Tomorrow will help finish assembling our new cabinets, continue with the great office reorganization, squeeze in a quick climbing session at the gym, and do a bit of admin catching up. BUT, at this point at least, I don’t have to go back to the city for a couple of days.

That’s the plan, anyway - we’ll see what actually comes to pass.

Cheers,
Nikki

p.s. really, really like this flower technique you’ve hit upon… it’s almost like an x-ray… or cyanotype (or whatever that sun-printing technique is called…)