Tuesday, May 15

MY GARDEN



The weather here in the Fens has been dismal recently, making it impossible to get out on location with my sketchbooks and the forecast for today was much the same.
So, after finishing a lily study in the studio last night I decided to make a grid in my garden sketchbook and make good use of the sunny intervals between the rainfalls the next day.

Around midday I was lucky enough to capture around twenty minutes of constant dry weather and, to celebrate, threw my French doors open in the studio and made a sketch of the old barn opposite. My studio sits on a spot that once belonged to another barn much the same as this one, before we pulled it to the ground to make way for the new, thick concrete base. I have no regrets, I love my new studio, but it's nice to have one of these old characters still watching over the yard.



Gradually, I managed to fill my grid. One before lunch, two after, one after the school run and another before dinner. I decided to keep them simple and add a splash of my favourite garden colours as a background to set them off.

28 comments:

Anonymous said...

I really like the composition of your grid! The other picture is great too.

Lin said...

WONDERFUL GRID -- but oh ... that shed is glorious!

Anita Davies said...

Thankyou Mikki!

Anita Davies said...

Thankyou Lin. The barn is falling apart really, huge cracks in the base, slats broken and fallen off but you can't 'build' character like this, it has to grow over time and I love it for that reason.

"JeanneG" said...

I too like your grid. I like that you turned it crosswise instead of just a regular grid. I never thought of doing that.

I just browsed thru your Disney sketches. Very nice. I have only been to the one in California and a lot of things look different but I did recognize Thunder Mountain. Do they have the Country Bear Jamboree in that same area. Where you sit in a theater and listen to bears sing country music?

I got battered also in Space mountain. The first time we rode it, it was way fast. I guess they had a problem and had to slow it down. Doesn't matter to me, I have my eyes closed thru the whole thing. Thru the matterhorn ride too. The one I get to see is Thunder Mountain. Did they have a Pirates of the Carribean? That's one of my favorites here.

Glad you had a good time. It's the one place even adults get to be kids.

Serena Lewis said...

Anita, these truly are fantastic!!! That shed is amazing and the grid is so pretty. I like the use of colour on the grid and the diagonal layout is a lovely feature. I must look more into these grids as quite a few seem to be doing...I'm not really sure of the purpose, the rules or even if there are any. Anyways, looking forward to more of your sketches ~ :)

laserone_ said...

Oh my gosh, this is just amazing. I love the door. This is awesome!

caseytoussaint said...

Beautiful take on the grid, and I am in awe of the skill you display in your shed painting. I'mglad you're part of this grup.

Anonymous said...

Very nice work on the barn; you've really captured its character. I'm going to have to try one of these grid thingies; this one really works well.

Africantapestry and Myfrenchkitchen said...

Beautiful barn Anita...so full of charm and maybe even "stories"?
Great work on the grid, I share your favorite colors..
Ronell

Anonymous said...

I love how you do foliage. That little tree next to the barn is just perfect. That's a sweet little painting. The grid work I like too!

Anita Davies said...

Thankyou Jeanne.
Glad you enjoyed my Disney sketches. I didn't 'do' any of the theatres I'm afraid...Maybe next time!
Yes, they do have a Pirates of the Caribbean, EXCELLENT ride!

Anita Davies said...

Thankyou Serena.
The grids were born out of people not having enough time for large sketches combined with journalling and page composition I believe. I know E-J often uses them because she can fit a small sketch into her schedule with her Daughter Melody's routine.
Rules?...In art?...Heaven forbid! ;)

Anita Davies said...

Thankyou so much Laserone!

Anita Davies said...

Casey, what a sweet thing to say...Thankyou so much.

Anita Davies said...

Thanks Dave. Yes, give the grid thingy a go!

Anita Davies said...

Thankyou Ronell. Stories?..Who knows...Maybe!
I love the blue and purple hues in the garden, they are so soothing. Luckily I'm a big fan of wild flowers which include rather alot of these particualr hues.

Anita Davies said...

Thankyou Phthaloblu.

Natalie Ford said...

These are both gorgeous!

Teri said...

Oh my gosh! I love love love that barn!!! Gorgeous job! Love your grid too but I can't take my eyes off that wonderful barn.

Serena Lewis said...

Anita wrote - "Rules?...In art?...Heaven forbid! ;)"

I'm so glad you said that as I totally agree ~ :)

Anita Davies said...

Thankyou Natalie!

Anita Davies said...

LOL!...Thankyou so much Teri!

Anita Davies said...

Serena ;)

E-J said...

Both of these sketches are wonderful. Your grid format is so creative ... and the limited colour has worked a treat.

Anita Davies said...

Thanx E-J!

brian nelson said...

I really like the shed! Great job!

Anita Davies said...

Thankyou Brian!