Our next-door neighbour's daughter had her engagement 
party on Sunday and I painted this hibiscus for her card. It grows in their garden, but overflows, happily, into ours. Hibiscus do not like being put in vases, and start to droop before your eyes. The next day it looked like this-> still very beautiful, but definitely after the ball was over (I remember Laurelines painting these and likening them to discarded ballgowns - very apt!)I have been awarded some awards! I was tagged by Mona back in December I'm afraid - to disclose 7 inconsequential
things about myself and in the last couple of days I was awarded <-this by Rhonda and Joan for which I am to list 7 things I love and pass it on to 7 more bloggers - thank you very much, it is so kind of you and gratifying that you are enjoying what I put up here, hotchpotch that it is!Seven things I love...besides the major and obvious of husband, children, sisters, nieces, nephews and friends...
• the constant comforting presence of my pets - dog Gucci and cat Kenzo, and the way they follow me to hang up the washing, peer into the hole I'm digging or attend the creation of a new masterpiece
• swimming in the sea - on the warm Indian Ocean side of SA
• paint, paper, pens, ink, brushes, crayons - you all know what I mean
• book shops
• babies - thankfully no longer my own these days, I'm happy to borrow others now - for a while
• dancing in the kitchen to Golden Oldies on the radio - great exercise and makes mopping fun
• dozing in a sunspot in winter and the first smell of jasmine in spring and walking in leaves in autumn (that's cheating, hey? - three in one ;)
• ooh - and cricket! To watch, not to play
I think that covers the inconsequential things too, as I've gone over the seven. As to passing it on - um - I think I'm going to mull over that for a little while, and might cop out, 'cos lots of my regular reads have had one already... I'll let you know!
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11 comments:
I love Hibiscus and this is a particularly beautiful speciman. Used to have a tree in my Cape Town back garden. Still remember it fondly after 28 years.
Jean
BOTH your hibiscus are beautiful! Love the one in full bloom, but the wilted flower also has a grace and beauty all of its own.
Jean, on my last visit to Cape Town in January I was amazed at all the hibiscus in bloom - I didn't remember them being so prolific when I lived there 30+ years ago!
Thanks Teresa, yes, the curled up ones are gorgeous, until they go brown a few hours later!
Sorry Cathy - I didn't notice Rhonda had already sent you this BLOG AWARD... but you deserve it double anyway! Yes, choosing 7 other artists blogs and listing them and telling them does take time.
Like the hibiscus. In my last home in the Fens of East Anglia I grew a Bluebird Hibiscus and it grew into a lovely tree full of blooms every spring even in our climate. I remember painting a creamy one that 'died' or rather shrivelled up over night even on the tree, when I was staying in Cyprus.
Thank you Joan, for doubling it! I think they do shrivel on the tree all the time, but its not so noticeable when there are more opening to replace them.
Well, of course the full bloom is lovely as you've painted it but I've never seen anyone paint one beginning to wilt away and make it so beautiful! You deserve a double award, Cathy :) No worries about sending it on - some bloggers don't like to choose. I enjoyed your "more than 7 things" you love :)
Yes Rhonda, I get into a mire of indecision over these things! But thanks again for the award and nice comment :)
I love the hibiscus, you really captured it, and the wilted version. Thank you for the inspiration.
--Jane
Hi Cathy. Your Hibiscus is beautiful. Truly amazing colours. I am a first time visitor and have really enjoyed your work.
I just stumbled upon your blog. Beautiful floral paintings.
I have a question on your colored sketches...what is your medium? I am guessing watercolor pencils. I am looking for a color medium other than watercolors for sketching when taking a palette and water isn't practical.
Thanks, Jane and Carol :)
Joanne - I do use a small Cotman set of half-pans and a waterbrush (Pentel Aquash) which I blogged about here: http://asketchintime.blogspot.com/2008/12/new-way-to-sketch.html
I often don't have time to do the colour on site though, then I take pencil notes of colours and put it on later. I haven't used w/c pencils yet, but think I might try to get the immediacy.
Thanks for your visit!
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