Tuesday, August 22, 2017

Busy, busy, busy!

Me and the 22", 15 lb. zucchini

Well, folks, I apologize for the lack of posting, but I have had more than my share of things going on this past month. I can't believe how incredibly blessed I've been this year with the produce coming out of my garden.
Tomatoes from my garden


 I picked the mega-monster zucchini the other day and have picked well over a hundred pounds of tomatoes with more on the way. Canning, freezing, dehydrating and eating fresh produce is competing heavily with my painting time and there doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day. 

Balin napping
 The only one getting any rest around here is the dog who thinks the best place to sleep is in my studio, under my table with his head on the air conditioner vent. 

Female black-chinned hummingbird and blue salvia



Juvenile Cooper's hawk
 I have taken brief breaks to enjoy the hummingbirds and hawks visiting my garden as well as the recent eclipse which was spectacular even at 97% here in my neck of the woods.

Me with kestrel painting
I have gotten most of my paintings framed and ready for the show, but still have a few I'm working on and hope to add to the total in the next few weeks. The count-down is on so I really don't have a lot of time left.

Mystery duck stamp painting
 And finally, I decided to enter another duck stamp contest with a deadline coming up in the next few weeks. Sorry, I can't show the whole painting, which is almost finished, until after the contest, but here is a little close-up teaser of the drake. Can you guess the species?

I hope this helps you all to know that I haven't disappeared. I'm still here, just lost in paint and vegetable matter! Hopefully, things will ease off a bit after the show and I will get a little vacation. Until next time, I hope you all are enjoying your summer!