Oil Landscape Demonstration - Apple Tree

It's apple picking time in New England and the trees are ripe with fruit. There is a farm near my studio that has a lone apple tree standing near the edge of a field. It would make a great subject for a painting, so let's see what we can do with it!
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Wood Thrush and Autumn Leaves watercolor painting

All summer long, I have enjoyed the clear, flute-like song of the wood thrush emanating from the woods around my studio. Each time I heard it, I thought of painting this bird.

But here it is almost September already and the maple leaves are starting to turn. The thrush will soon be on its way to Panama. So to catch it before its migration, I've done this painting of a wood thrush among the colorful leaves of a maple tree in early autumn.

• The original has been sold, but check my Etsy shop for more of my bird art. Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

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Purple Balloon Flower - watercolor painting

Balloon flowers get their name from the flower buds. The delightful buds resemble hot air balloons just before opening.

My balloon flowers are still in bloom and I picked a stem to bring inside for this painting. You can see the flower in different stages from a new green bud, to buds that have "ballooned" to the opened flowers and even a spent flower that is ready to seed. 

• This botanical painting can be ordered here: Balloon Flowers watercolor painting. Thanks for stopping by and have a lovely day.

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Purple Cone Flowers and Fritillary Butterfly

Whenever the cone flowers blooms, there are butterflies on them, tiny one, larger ones and sometimes even large swallowtails.  They must find something particularly attractive about these flowers.

Here in soft pastel colors, I've painted them along with a Great Spangled Fritillary butterfly that is common in my garden and a frequent visitor to cone flowers when they are in bloom.

• You can find my original flower paintings and prints for sale in my Etsy shop, JanetZeh.Etsy.com. Thanks for stopping by and have a delightful day!

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Hummingbird & Rose of Sharon Hibiscus - watercolor

Did you know that Rose of Sharon are a type of hibiscus? They look just like larger hibiscus flowers but have small blooms and grow as shrubs. Unlike the tropical hibiscus, Rose of Sharon are perennials in New England blooming in August through early September. They are a definite favorite with hummingbirds.

In this painting, a ruby-throated hummingbird stops by for a sip of nectar from a pink flower surrounded by five flower buds.

• The original of this painting is sold.  Check my Etsy shop for currently available bird paintings and prints or let me know if you'd like a print of this one.  Thanks for stopping by and have a lovely day!

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Black-eyed Susan Flowers by a Field - watercolor

Black-eyed Susan flowers grow by a rustic post-and-rail fence which borders a field near my studio. These flowers return every year to the same spot and I enjoy their perky brightness as I walk by.

The posts of the fence are made of tree trunks with the bark still on them giving a warm country feel to this painting.

• You can find my small original floral watercolor paintings for sale in my Etsy shop, JanetZeh.Etsy.com. Thanks for stopping by today!

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White Mountains Hiking - taking a break!

It's good to take a break once in a while, even from doing the work you love. I had the chance to do that this week for a few days. I enjoy mountain climbing so off to the mountains I went with a hiking buddy.

Being at the top of a mountain after a long and strenuous climb is a marvelous thing especially when the weather is clear and the view magnificent. Here is a view from the top of Mt. Chocorua in the White Mountains of New Hampshire - a seven mile hike total.  Half the fun was finding I can still get to the top!

This is on a hike around White Lake at the foot of the White Mountains. The bottom of this lake is completely white sand from end to end. There are generally loons and other wildlife to be found on the water and shoreline. With the mountains in the background, it is a favorite spot for me to do sketching that I use later for paintings. Perhaps you'll see a White Mountains painting from this trip soon! Pin It

Hummingbird and Trumpet Vine Flowers - watercolor

Walking this morning with my camera in hand, I passed by some bright trumpet vine flowers and stopped to take a couple of photos.

While snapping one shot, a hummingbird flew in to take a sip from the flowers. Love when that happens! It made a perfect reference photo. The picture of the hummingbird was not totally clear, but just enough for inspiration for this painting.

• The original of this painting is sold.  Check my Etsy shop for currently available bird paintings or let me know if you'd like a print. Thanks for stopping by to enjoy the little hummingbird!

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Pink Roses watercolor painting

These pretty roses just don't quit! They were blooming in June and now again in August. Sweetly scented with a light fragrance, they are a favorite in my garden.

In this painting are three pink flowers in full bloom and two buds against a soft sea-foam and blue background.

• You can get Pink Roses, a 5"x7" watercolor painting,  in my Etsy shop: JanetZeh.etsy.com.  Thanks for stopping by and have a lovely day!

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New England Red Barn and Cows - Watercolor painting

This farm in my area is very picturesque. I enjoy taking a walk down the road where it is located just to go by the barn, which is not a typical one in my part of New England.
The original of this piece is sold. Contact me if you'd like a print or check my shop for more barn paintings . Thanks for sharing my walk in the country with me!

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Hydrangeas and Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly - watercolor

The tall hydrangeas in my garden are blooming very early this summer. I do not know the name of this variety, but I cut them down to stumps every fall or spring and they grow up to seven feet tall and bloom in a few short months.

Many types of bees, wasps and butterflies are attracted to their large blossoms. One of their visitors every year is a Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly. It makes a nice contrast to the white flowers.
I've painted it here among blossoms that are just beginning to turn pink at the edges. That is when this hydrangea is at its loveliest!

• This painting has been sold, but you can contact me for a print if it's one that you'd like.  Thanks for stopping by today!

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