In The Pink

When not at my easel, I can sometimes be found hunched over a sketchbook.

I was supposed to have pink coneflowers blooming in my garden but they have decided to be fashionably late instead (still waiting). So I used photographs I took at a botanical gardens we visited this summer.

Mellow Fruitfulness

There are a few signs of Autumn here in Southern California. There's a nip in the air and a few trees that are changing colour. Autumn has always been one of my favourite times of the year.

Pear- 5" x 7" Acrylic on Paper.

A small painting I did recently as my mind was on falling leaves, rich russets and browns, and having an excuse to make warming soups and stewed fruit.

Garden Update

The beautiful summer and mostly warm October we had has resulted in a mostly flourishing garden. In addition Hubby improved our bird bath, making the bottom of the water bowl much more attractive with the help of left-over tiles from our shower remodel.

Our yellow ginger bloomed bringing the scent of Hawaii to southern California.

Another star of the garden is our Black Taro. Was it the extra water that helped or me telling it how lovely it is all the time?

As well as its gorgeous purple/black front colour and the beautiful green a leaf starts off as (which is also on its back side), the leaves produce a semi-opaque maroon colour when the sun shines through the leaves.


Sadly we seem to have lost our plumeria which appears to be rotting from the inside. I've decided not to show a picture for those among you who find the sight of injured and dying plants too distressing.

Mum's the Word!

I took a short break from seascape scenes to paint this vase of Chrysanthemums.

Mum's The Word 8" x 8" Acrylic on Board.


Chrysanthemums remind me a lot of my childhood. My Mum grew several kinds in her garden. They were also the flowers we would choose to bring to school.

New Edition

It didn't take long for me to realise how necessary photo-editing software is to my life until I was without it for a month (the reason for the long gap in posts). Now that I have a new programme installed I can begin to catch up with some of the things that have been keeping me busy during the last four weeks.


The first is one of my new paintings.

'Doheny Jetty' is 6" x 6" Acrylic on Board.

Nature's Props

I am really enjoying my flower garden which finally decided to bloom after no small encouragement.
Not only does it provide a cheery view from inside the house but it also provides some ready models for my art.

New Painting

It's no secret by now that I love Polynesia and that it is a huge source of inspiration to me. Here is the latest manifestation of my love for the islands.
It's called 'Solitude Cove' and is 4" x 4" acrylic on board.