photos : Margaret Howard : early saffron-centered crocus

Tuesday

dancing hanging basket : oil on canvas : janet driver

Monday daily picture

So glad I took a few photos in our garden before the high winds took over !

The colours were beautiful  :)

Wivenhoe Library Exhibition : Sunsets and...

Visit Wivenhoe Library & enjoy some of my paintings...

Creative Spiral: children can enjoy looking for all sorts things hidden in this spiral painting

& not always noticed unless you stop & look

I painted several sunsets, seen across the Colne at Brightlingsea where the brilliant effect of sunlight shining through the mist on the distant shore and across the water is really quite amazing.

 I remember as a teenager swimming here one evening with a group of us who had been playing tennis, and we could hardly believe the intensity of gold flooding the sea all around us as we bobbed & floated along.

Dawn Mist Rising          oil on canvas, Janet Driver

I continue to be intrigued by dawn mist & the "lost & found" nature of things hidden or revealed through the mist. Can you guess the river marshes this was based on ? 

Hanging next to it you will find a painting of  this scene at sunset. Again a surprising sunset where the light lit up the wall hidden by the dawn mist with a brilliant reflection almost like gold.

for Library Opening Times click the link below:

http://webapps1.essexcc.gov.uk/findalibrary/libdetail.asp?LibID=78

Shades of Spring Colour

What colour do you associate with Spring ?

Yellow ?    

I painted this group of trees with gnarled old branches, grey and empty

and yet the sun was lighting upon the small new sapling in front

full of bright young leaves

and then the distant leaves on the older trees lit up against their greying branches

giving the impression of feathery yellow puffs bringing new life....

then today I noticed such different shades of yellow in crowds of primroses under shady trees

and then the brilliance of a tiny coltsfoot, originally from the Isle of Wight chalk downs near the Needles, and now almost hidden in my garden but definately making its presence felt through that glowing depth of colour...

 and the glorious yellows of daffodils with sunlight flooding through the window

but I was surprised how many shades of purple I found today

and among the leaves just emerging...two other hidden surprises

both enjoying the sunshine !

...oooh just look at those shades of green.....

what is your favorite colour this spring ???