Brant Point Sunrise

Brant Point on Nantucket is the second oldest lighthouse station in the US after Boston Light. It was established in 1746 at a time when the whaling industry was growing fast. No less than nine different structures were built in sequence on Brant Point to date. Many of those burned or were destroyed by storms.

Still functioning today is this lighthouse built in 1901. The white lantern was changed to red in 1933 to distinguish it from house lights nearby.

When you take the ferry from the mainland, you will come around Brant Point to visit Nantucket island.

If you like history, the following website has the history of Brant Point from the early 1700's to now: http://lighthouse.cc/brant/history.html

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White Cyclamen Flowers

These pretty while flowers caught my eye as I was shopping for poinsettias the other day. I have grown the hardy cyclamens outdoors. They were a pink variety that nodded their heads barely 2 inches above the ground.

These tender blooms originating in Southern Europe and Asia are taller. I'm told they will bloom for a month or so, die back, and then bloom again in spring. It was recommended to me that I water them from the bottom as the tuber will draw water up through the drainage hole. We'll see how they do.

It was both challenging and fun to paint this plant with its many curving petals, its veined leaves and little droopy buds . I like how the white flowers pop against the deep plum-colored background.

Deep Pink Peony

Peonies, particularly the big, double bloom type are more of a challenge to paint than roses, I think. They have so many layers of petals! This one is such a deep pink that it is almost red, but not quite.
The peony plant is an easy one to grow, returning to bloom year after year as long as it is left in the same spot. After the blooms fade (and they never bloom for as long as I wish they would), the rounded shrub looks great all summer after which you can cut them back to the ground for the winter.

Lilacs and Swallowtail Butterfly

I listed this painting a few days ago, but forgot to blog it. There has been so much going on between doing some private art shows, finishing up commissions and getting work ready for next year's outdoor show season that it's a wonder that I'm remembering anything!

Also, my army son will be on leave and coming home for a visit next week. I can't wait to see him! It's become cold here so it will be quite a change from Baghdad weather.

This painting is a springtime one in the midst of winter. Tiger Swallowtail Butterflies and lilacs appear at the same time in the spring, so they go together. I hope you agree that they make a pretty picture together too!

Cardinals in the Snow

With the first snowfall of the season happening today, I glanced out the window of my studio and saw these cardinals waiting for their turn at the feeder. It seemed that it would make a great painting so I did one!

The row of evergreens that lines my driveway has grown over the years to probably 50 feet tall. It makes a wonderful shelter for birds. Cardinals especially appreciate evergreen trees and I see them every day flashing past in a red streak or sitting like this making sure all is safe before venturing to the feeder.

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Pink Chrysanthemums

These mums blooming in my yard were a suprise. I'd bought the mums before they bloomed, and was delighted to see the flowers. In New England, chrysanthemums as perennials (plants which come back to bloom year after year) is an iffy proposition. Sometimes they come back, other times they don't.

So we usually go on a chrysanthemum shopping spree sometime in early fall to make sure our yards have floral color until mid-November. Usually the plants bloom in shades of red, orange and yellow. So, to have a pink version mixed in is fun. I hope this one comes back next year!

There is a lot of detail in this painting if you look closely at the centers and the little petals surrounding it. For a small painting, this is a bold one, toned down by the soft pink of the petals.

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Swallowtail Lighthouse, Grand Manan Island

Beautiful and quiet Grand Manan Island in New Brunswick is a relaxing place to get away from it all. Even though the principle source of income aside from fishing is tourism, you won't find tourist traps or tacky shops here, just lovely scenery which includes lighthouses.

This lighthouse is one of the first things you will see when crossing on the ferry from Blacks Harbour, New Brunswick. Established in 1860 it is still fully operational and the tower is the original one, though refurbished in 1980.

The building to the right is the larger of two buildings which were originally used as the lighthouse keepers' homes. Now, it has been converted to a Bed and Breakfast. If you stay there, don't be surprised if you are wakened by the foghorn on a foggy night.

Swallowtail is one of the most photographed lighthouses in Canada and I can see why. This scene was irresistible to paint!

• This painting has been sold, but I'd be happy to make a print for you.

Blue Jay

There have been many of these bright blue birds at my feeder lately. Related to crows, ravens and magpies, they will eat just about anything that is edible.

The blue jay inhabits North America east of the Rockies from Southern Canada to the Gulf states. It is found in oak and pine woods, towns, and suburbs.

The call of the blue jay is distinctive with its harsh "jay" or "jeeah", but it also has musical notes in its repetoire and will imitate the call of the red-tailed hawk at times.

Here I have one pictured sitting on an oak tree branch. The leaves are still changing color and have not yet fallen. Most all the trees here are bare by mid-November except the oaks which tend to hold onto at least some of their leaves for a longer time.

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Flower Cart

In this painting, you can see the cool morning light shining on a pretty garden scene.

The painting was inspired by one of many such scenes that I saw while on the garden tours in Newport, Rhode Island held in June every year. Homeowners on the quaint streets of the historic part of town open up their garden gates to let visitors get a glimpse of their lovely gardens.

Pink and red impatiens, yellow pansies and violets fill pots on this little garden cart.

• This painting has been sold. You can see more of my original flower paintings and floral fine art prints in my Etsy shop.

White-Breasted Nuthatch

This energetic little bird is often seen climbing down trees headfirst. It eats bark insects, seeds and nuts. It is a frequenter of bird feeders in the winter here in the Northeast, especially attracted by sunflower seeds and suet. The nuthatch makes a home in woodlands, river trees, forests and shade trees.

Rooster Watercolor Painting

No, I don't have chickens or roosters. But there are some on the farm next door. And the rooster in charge makes sure everyone's up to greet the dawn every morning. He's a handsome fellow.

Every so often, my neighbor will stop by with a gift of a dozen eggs. I have great neighbors!

Annabelle Hydrangea

This is the hydrangea shrub that blooms in my garden in mid-summer. The blooms start out green then gradually turn white. At the end of the blooming period, they again turn green. Annabelle is supposedly a smaller cultivar of the Hills-of-Snow hydrangea, but the shrub is not small. It is about 5 ft. tall and just as wide with large somewhat lacy white blooms.

I have it growing right next to a rugosa rose bush which is just as large and which is an aggressive spreading shrub. But, so far, the hydrangea has held its own and kept the invader at bay. They make a nice duo when blooming together.

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Yellow Daylilies

This painting brings me back to mid summer when the lilies were blooming. Daylilies are great for brightening up the perennial garden during a time when many other flowers are past or not yet blooming. They don't mind the heat, require little in the way of watering and just keep blooming!

Here I painted them against a deep blue background to enhance the bright yellow flowers. I like how the graceful leaves and stems add movement to the painting.

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Sails against the Sunset

I was thinking that I was finished with my series of Pacific Ocean sunsets, but since there have been requests, I decided to do one more.

This is such a peaceful scene to paint and a fun one too. Watercolors are just the medium for both sky and water as they blend readily. Glazing the transparent colors over each other gives a glow to the painting, allowing the sunset colors to permeate almost every part of the scene.

Wouldn't you just love to be standing there hearing the wash of the waves onto the shore and watching that sun sink below the horizon?

• This painting has been sold.