Autumn roses

Watercolour in Moleskine 200gsm Watercolour sketch-book

 

You can complain because roses have thorns, or you can rejoice because thorns have roses!
- Ziggy

I have a couple of those very realistic-looking silk roses which I bring out of storage from time-to-time, especially if flowers are in short supply in the garden during winter months (I know, Winter is not an excuse to not have any flowers in the garden, but this year I’ve left planting a bit late, might still get in some pansies, though!) – and they served as subject matter for a quick watercolour with no sketching before-hand.

Rampage of appreciation

W&N Watercolour in Moleskine 200gsm watercolour sketch-book

 

Flowers from my garden.

Appreciate your friends
and family
and hold them near.
NOW
Compliment yourself
on the day’s achievements
no matter how big or few they are.
Appreciate the stamina of your body.
And who you are.
Turn toward
your perfect life.
It is the best feeling.
Go on a rampage of appreciation.
Relax and breathe into appreciation
of what you shared.
No relationship is ever done.
It’s all eternal.
- Maree Clarkson

From the bottom of the garden...

Watercolour and ink sketch in Moleskine Large Note book

 

“From the bottom of the garden,
enthroned in his earthenware pot,
the hydrangea god surveys his minions—”

Due to the acidity of our soi, which is caused by the many Blue Gum trees planted in the area, our Hydrangeas are mostly mauve, blue or pink, and if we want a white variety, we have to add a lot of alkalinity to the soil.