Whole Foods Flowers, Olives & Nectarines

We had to take a short walk this morning rather than the usual long walk because of a prior commitment. But we also needed to pick up a bunch of flowers. To that end we promenaded over to the Whole Foods that is located hardly two blocks away. It was rather cloudy and windy with a threat of rain. So we bundled up for the cold but soon realized we were overdressed. By the time we reached Whole Foods both of us were quite warm. The fresh nectarines were too hard to pass by. The flowers were right next to the nectarines and we found a nice bunch. We quickly passed through the store and landed at the olive bar - something that is very hard to resist. We thought about looking for something for dinner but decided we would make due with whatever we had at home. By this time we were really warm! The check out didn’t take long and we were happy to be home in short order. By then, the sun was out and all was right with the world. We usually dress right for the weather. I’m not sure what happened this morning. 

Zazzle German Shepherd Card

It’s always a nice surprise to receive an email notification that an item I created was sold. Even if the royalty is pennies it is so heartwarming to know that someone out there liked a digitalart work that I painted enough to buy it for themself or someone special. And so was the case when Zazzle contacted me last week to let me know that a card with my German Shepherd design was purchased from someone in Massachusetts. That image was sold last summer to someone from Finland! If you told me even five years ago that I would even be doing any of this I would have been shocked. But when the iPad came around in 2000, my love for painting was reignited. I found an app called Sketchbook Pro and the rest just followed. It essentially eliminated the need for watercolors and pastels and my studio travels with me. I started doing commissioned pet portraits and my on line shops are populated with the digital images. So thank you for noticing my work - I really appreciate it!

Tulip and Carnation Wall Vase - Round Two

I love to have flowers in the house. To that end we have a wall vase that we use for every season. When the flowers in the garden bloom I will use them - if they aren’t I’ll still use the twigs and leaves to add a bit of texture to the mix. A few weeks ago I got a combination of yellow carnations with matching tulips at the grocery store. Over the week or more that it lasted, I photographed the progress of the tulips. When they were spent the carnations were still looking good. So we replenished the wallvase with another bunch of tulips - but this time they were yellow. I also photographed the progress of that display. Now they are all done and unfortunately had to be thrown away. I did however keep a few of the greens and the dusty miller. It doesn’t look like anything special but it’s better than nothing. I’m just too lazy to see what’s outside in the garden today. There’s always something to pick from - even in winter. 

Ancestry DNA

Since I was a youngster strangers would ask me if I was from China - high cheek bones and small eyes.  My brother and sister always teased me that I was adopted - they have hazel eyes and fair skin - I have brown eyes and olive skin. When Ellis Island was being renovated many years ago I was able to find the manifest records of both my grandmothers. But my grandfathers could not be found. For my parents 50th wedding anniversary many years ago I put together a digital photo spread using the photos I had of them from childhood to present day. When the grandchildren came around I spent a lot of time creating family trees for them using my “Picture It” software. I haven’t thought about my ancestry much lately - until recently. So I decided to finally take the plunge and order my DNA kit from Ancestry.com. It arrived last week and I followed the instructions - spitting in to a test tube - and mailing the package back to Utah, then registering the specific kit number on the app. Now I am waiting with great anticipation to see what comes of it. I’m not sure there will be any unexpected surprises. But you never know. 

Reflecting Pool Sunshine and Pigeons

I am always enchanted by sunshine, animals, birds, and flowers. Typically on our walk we encounter some of these things. Today was an absolutely sunshiny day so everything already looked better. We didn’t have to wear our below zero winter coats and hats. In fact half way through I was carrying my coat. We had to drop an items off at the post office so we headed in the opposite direction as is usual. From there we were on  Massachusetts Avenue, Union Station, and then back to the Capitol. The reflecting pond was still iced over and the seagulls were standing on it. But it was the pigeons that caught my eye today. There was a pair walking along together having a good time. We then passed through the botanical garden. It’s not often that I really enjoy the walk - it’s more of a prescription that something I really look forward to. But when it’s this nice outside it’s simply marvelous. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/Btd_JIyhhWR/

Birds, Buds and Squirrels

We haven’t walked for a few days for a variety of reasons - including frigid temps and wind chills. So we finally got out this morning. With the government now open again, the National Mall has come back the life. There were lines waiting to get in to the Air and Space Museum. It was obvious there were more than just the “locals” ambling about. But I always notice the other stuff - the flower gardens and the birds. There was a squirrel dangling upside down from the tiniest branch of the tallest tree by the Capitol. When we reached the Sackler Gallery gardens the buds of the flowering tree and tiny bulbs in the snow were showing signs of life. It’s amazing what a south exposure does. The butterfly bench at the Botanic Garden was accented by the surrounding snow that was speckled by critter footprints. A squawking bluejay was yelling at us as we passed underneath. By the time we reached the Capitol South Metro Station the sparrows were fluffed up sitting in a row thinking about their next move. It was a delightful walk. 

Redbubble Beagle T-shirt

I love sketching on my iPad. I use it to create custom pet portraits. It beats the mess of watercolors and pastels and my studio travels with me. I have commissions from all over the world. If you told me even ten years ago I would be doing something like this I would not have believed it. And to have the exposure of the internet is amazing. I use my digital images to populate my on line shops. The buyer can select from an amazing assortment of products to purchase a gift for self or someone special. It’s always a treat to get notified when an item sells. The most recent one came from my Redbubble shop. Someone from South Carolina bought a V neck T-shirt with my sweet beagle face. It’s one thing to be noticed out of the millions of images out there. But for someone to like it well enough to purchase it is sheer exciting. Even though the commissions are tiny - luckily this is a hobby - the joy it brings doesn’t have a price. So thank you for noticing my work. I really appreciate it!