Fall is here in Vermont. We are getting some Indian summer which is good and the leaves are donning their fall coats which is always a joy to see. Nature is amazing.
I am posting two more images of the card collections for you. One from each- Irises and Peaches and Cow of Vermont.

"Its all about joy that comes out of sorrow, its all about soul" Billy Joel

I am a watercolor artist who loves to draw so my paintings always begin with a drawing sometimes intricate and sometimes just an outline. For instance above is a painting of a farm up the road from me that started with an intricate drawing. I have found of late that I can draw with a paintbrush as I am painting which is new for me. I am very lucky to have my art as all people who have found their passion are fortunate. It matters not if others appreciate it, although it is so wonderful when that happens. It is my refuge. I could not live without creating art. But I digress.
This post is about introducing my card collections. I have two. One is Family Farm Collection of which the picture above is included. The other is Still Life With Flowers Collection. This Hydrangea painting posted here is one of these cards. Each set has 6 different cards. The sets are selling for $12.50 apiece or $2.35 per card.

As an aside, I am part of a painters group that I don't get to every week but when I do I am free to be me, to share my creations. I went today and it is with thankfulness that this group is so kind. Best wishes to all --

"Always Maintain a Kind of Summer" -Thoreau

Thoreau's advice is well taken as always. Summer, 2009 has been rainy and quite chilly actually. In an attempt to make the best of it, I am posting a small painting of hollyhocks at left that usually bloom in the height of summer. This is a 2x3, "Hollyhocks at the Lake ", and if you would like the original it is $39.00 matted and framed- 5x7. Prints are always available.
On the right is one I did years ago. These red hollyhocks were right outside my door and I painted them more than once. Those were hazy, lazy days of summer. The kids (grown now) usually would run around the corner of the house and take one or two hollyhocks with them so by the end of the season if we had two or three left we were lucky.

Enjoy the day - don't let it get away!

"SUMMER TIME AND THE LIVING IS EASY
...One of these mornings
You're goin to rise up singing
Then you'll spread your wings
And you'll take to the sky" - Gershwin

Even though we have had too much rain, when the sun shows up all is forgotten and it is glorious summer once more. On your left is typical of cows in summer and this is part of the Family Farm Collection I am doing. I am having trouble uploading the first of this series but maybe I can do it later.

I got a visit from a cousin of mine today- one who I used to be with most of the summer when I was a kid. His family would come up for a portion of the summer or more and stay at the camp on Colchester Point. I would get to stay with them alot so nostalgia was running high. The Irish are known for nostalgia kicks and I am not any different than the next Irishman or woman. For the Irish and especially for the Irish cousins I am posting an icon I did last summer.
St. Patrick -Patron Saint of Ireland. There is quite the chapter in The Story of the Irish Race

by Seumas MacManus on St. Patrick. Both humble and quick to defend, a reason why the Irish related to him, his story is well worth the read as well as the full story of the Irish Race.

Here is a part of one of St. Patrick's poems to close this post.

"...Blessing of elements, blessing of valour, blessing of dexterity,
Blessing of glory, blessing of deeds, blessing of honour, blessing of
Happiness be upon you all...."

"St. Patrick worked so many miracles and wonders, that the human mind is incapable of remembering or recording the amount of good which he did upon the earth"- Story of the Irish Race
St. Patrick rose up singing, spread his wings and took to the sky..........

So much for my Family Farm Collection.. maybe next time

"Love is always patient and kind..." 1 Corinthians

Happy Father's Day! In memory of my father, I am posting a couple of cow paintings that he never got to see. He was a farmer who was always patient and kind and I miss him with all of my heart. The holstein cow dotted hillside and pastures everywhere I looked as a child. I lived in a farming community so virtually everywhere I went there was that familiar sight. I was traveling to Middlebury, VT the other day and was struck by holstein cows on a green hillside and was shocked to realize that it is was surprising to me to see that scene in that area. Stuart Osha’s book, Loving a Dying Way of Life: Poems and Stories about Farming in Vermont, self-published in 1999 is a book about the farming life of Stuart and his wife and saving the small farms with vision. It is available at Cover to Cover Books in Randolph, Vermont. This book has been highly recommended.
We have got to do more for the farmer to keep our family farms working farms.

To close this post, a bouquet of sweet peas would be appropriate to honor my father.

If you need to get in touch with me - vermonthart@hotmail.com

"Oh, Who Can Ever Gaze His Fill" W.H. Auden

I have had a movie this spring of the Cardinal. My post is the Cardinal in winter but the story all spring has been the male and female at the suet. It has been a joy to watch. If there is a male Cardinal which we never miss because of the shot of red, (named for the cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church, with their bright red robes) the female is there with him somewhere. The duller gold or brownish color blends in and we miss seeing her. Just look, she is beautiful! I plan to paint her soon. The Cardinal brightens our world!

Yesterday, a Great Blue Heron caught my eye. The Heron was standing on the beach with a big fish (bass) in its mouth. It was a sight to behold. Every spring they appear swooping down on the beach and then all of a sudden in flight in all their majesty. They come and go until all the campers are back. It is a real treat to watch these greats. I painted this last summer. It is a tribute to the Great Blue Heron and this is how I saw it exactly except for it had a fish in its mouth which is much more interesting. The picture does tell the story though as the Heron is a lone hunter and is king of the waters and it does stand in the water just like that when it eats.

The Goldfinch made a brief appearance the other day just passing through but I see them intermittently all summer. It is named for the summer color of its shiny feathers. The Goldfinch is suppose to indicate an awakening of the fairies and elves. Summer is the high point of their activities. So keep an eye out.

The robin is all around me and is the traditional sign of spring. Robins do not always migrate, if they find a food source. In fact, this painting was inspired last January when one day 25 robins landed in my yard. After they left, I went into my studio to paint and looked out to see one standing there looking right at me. That was all the inspiration I needed. The robin went down on paper. Supposedly, the red breast symbolizes new growth in all areas of your life. Robins give hope for new creation. So when Robins pop up or drop down, take note.

My offerings for today - Beautiful Birds- so much joy. Summer will be here officially next week as well as Father's Day!

"CAN'T SING BUT I 'VE GOT SOUL"- U2
I know this is June, but guess what lilacs are still blooming although I must say that this rendition is of the last one of May lilacs in my yard. That doesn't count the new variety of dwarf lilacs I have in my garden which are just beginning to blossom. Supposedly the lilac is the flower of first love so I guess that is why there is so much nostalgia surrounding it. Also way back, to celebrate the beginning of the season, young ladies were crowned with lilacs, either purple or white, during May Day festivals. If they wore the flowers on any other day, they most likely would never marry.
The lilac originated in Constantinople and came to Vienna in 1563. Early settlers brought cuttings to America. Thomas Jefferson and George Washington both noted planting the lilac and enjoying it as we do in New England for no matter how harsh the weather, the lilac is always on schedule. These interesting facts are from The Ways of Flowers.
Just wanted to post a flower for today as a busy weekend is coming up. I am at the Artist Market on Saturday in Burlington. Again, "Its a beautiful day, don't let it get away."-u2