Saturday, 30 June 2012

Raindrops and potted gardens

We've had a week of cold, wet and bleak days
The rain finally let up yesterday much to my delight
If rain hangs about for any longer than two days
I'm usually pulling my hair out
or feeling quite depressed!

We either had a light shower throughout the night
or the dew was mighty heavy this morning.
Check out the water/dew drops on this dead leaf
As soon as my eagle eye spotted it
I ran for the camera!

The veins on the leaf were pretty darned amazing too!

I haven't done much sketching of late as
I seem to be lacking motivation or
could it be that I just procrastinate way too much?

So in an attempt to keep myself on track
I've joined the Artist's Play Room group where
each week we are given a subject to work with.
The subject for this past week was
"In the Garden".

I chose to sketch the leaves on my potted Dracaena plant
which lives under the pergola with my other potted plants.

Pencil-free sketch using only Faber-Castell Artist's PITT pens 
in my large Moleskine sketch book.

I'm hoping to sketch daily in July
so there should be a lot more posts
coming your way.

Have a great weekend!!!


~ Love, light and peace ~
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42 comments:

  1. Beau T30 June 2012 at 18:07

    Those leaf photos are great. They spark my creativity just looking at them. A really nice sketch too

    xo

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    1. Serena Lewis1 July 2012 at 14:05

      Thanks, Beau. I love how the leaf photographed too. xo

      Delete
  2. Tracey FK30 June 2012 at 19:11

    the photos are beautiful but your sketch absolutely makes me freak out at just how great your drawing skills are... love your style and your sense of composition... and like you I am so glad that the rain has finally gone...xx

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    1. Serena Lewis1 July 2012 at 14:06

      Thanks, Tracey...coming from an artist as talented as you, I take that as a huge compliment. :)

      Delete
  3. Julie30 June 2012 at 21:58

    What kind of leaf is that thing??? It is exceptional!

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    1. Serena Lewis1 July 2012 at 14:07

      It's actually the underside of a dead avocado leaf from Beau's potted avocado tree. Quite dramatic, isn't it?!

      Delete
  4. minnemie30 June 2012 at 22:34

    WoooooW! Those leaves and drops are fantastic, as is your sketch! Beautiful form and value contrast!

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    1. Serena Lewis1 July 2012 at 14:08

      Thanks for dropping by and for your lovely comment! :)

      Delete
  5. Arnoldo L. Romero, MLA1 July 2012 at 03:11

    I love your work. Blessings!

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    1. Serena Lewis1 July 2012 at 14:09

      Thank you, Arnoldo....much appreciated. :)

      Delete
  6. Jennifer McLean1 July 2012 at 03:49

    Hi Serena, so nice to see you in my Artist's Play Room, there's always room for another Australian!! I seem to be having a love affair with your country and it's people. Your talent is extraordinary! When I hear of artists having the fortitude to draw directly into a moleskine in PEN I'm duly impressed, I can't even screw up my courage to put pencil marks in mine!! Your Dracaena line drawing is spectacular and I'd recognize it's lovely stripy leaves anywhere. So glad you're participating, keep those sketches coming, and please remember, if what you have to show some week doesn't fit the challenge, SHOW IT ANYWAY! lol. See you next week!
    Best,
    Jenn

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    1. Serena Lewis1 July 2012 at 14:11

      Thanks for the warm welcome and for your kind words, Jennifer. I'm looking forward to joining in at APR regularly. :)

      Delete
  7. Tammy@T's Daily Treasures1 July 2012 at 05:08

    That leaf might be dead but it sure looks beautiful! Rain is only a distant memory for us. We have heat, heat, heat. I got dressed yesterday to go out for lunch since that is usually what we do on Friday but hubby said no way! He had a headache and didn't even want to venture out into the heat. Your drawings are always spectacular. After walking that very first day after I finished school, I tried to start art journaling but didn't like anything I was doing so scrapped them all. We will be heading out on a family vacation tomorrow so things will be quiet around here. Will be back on the 9th. Til then ... take care! Hugs and blessings, Tammy

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    1. Serena Lewis1 July 2012 at 14:14

      Thanks, Tammy. I knew I had to photograph the leaf, the moment I spotted it. After experiencing a 10 year drought, I know all too well what you mean. However, it gets much hotter where you are. I get headaches from the heat too. If you feel inclined, don't give up on your art journaling too soon...you will get better at it for sure. Practise truly does make a difference. OH, how fun, going off for a family vacation. I'll look forward to hearing all about it when you get back. Don't forget the camera. xo

      Delete
  8. Rita1 July 2012 at 05:38

    I missed the cut off this week. Just was one of those weeks, I guess. Hopefully I'll get something done for the next challenge. Fun that you will be doing APR, too!
    I love that water on the leaf!! What a spectacular shot! Your sketch is great, too. I hope you're feeling lots better. :):)

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    1. Serena Lewis1 July 2012 at 14:16

      Thanks, Rita. I enjoyed this week's challenge at APR. If I hadn't joined, I probably would never have done that sketch so it's already motivating me. YAY!!

      Delete
  9. Serena Lewis1 July 2012 at 14:09

    Thanks, Tracy! I look forward to future challenges at APR. :)

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  10. Toriz1 July 2012 at 15:58

    I hope your muse can be encouraged to lend you inspiration to do more artwork! :)

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  11. Unknown1 July 2012 at 16:59

    Great macro shots.

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  12. Monica1 July 2012 at 20:35

    Lovely sketch Serena! I have been neglecting my art and journal too. I don't think it's a matter of procrastinating but more that there aren't enough hours in a day to do all the things I want to. I work full-time as well so my hours are but a few for all the creativity that is inside me.
    Love the photograph you took!

    Joy and peace to you,
    Namaste
    Monica :)

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    1. Serena Lewis2 July 2012 at 05:04

      Thanks, Monica. Not enough hours in the day plays a part with my lack of art too, however, I do waste a lot of time trying to decide what to draw, then I end up not drawing at all. I'm impressed that you do all you do and hold down a full-time job. xo

      Delete
  13. Ginny1 July 2012 at 22:28

    Hi Serena, I am so glad that you will be sketching more. I always look forward to your work. You are so talented and so inspiring. I also love the leaf. Isn't fun to be able to capture something so special?

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    1. Serena Lewis2 July 2012 at 05:05

      Thanks, Ginny....well, that's the plan anyways. lol Yes, it sure if fun to capture that special moment or subject on camera. The leaf is gone now but it's memory will always live on. :)

      Delete
  14. Jennifer Rose2 July 2012 at 07:29

    very nice shot of the leaf with the drops :D

    and your sketch is great, love the textures :D

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  15. Unknown2 July 2012 at 07:57

    i love your sketches and work with pen!

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    1. Serena Lewis5 July 2012 at 20:40

      Thanks, Jenny....I love finding time to do them. :)

      Delete
  16. Where the Heart is2 July 2012 at 09:29

    Oh wow! Those pics of the leaf are amazing!

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  17. GlorV12 July 2012 at 09:36

    Hi Serena. Good to see you. I'm trying to get back into the swing of things of blogland but now it's a little difficult because I've gotten used to not being online so much. I've managed to accomplish a lot. Love you sketch, just awesome. Your photo is just beautiful. How you caught those dew drops is beyond me. I could never do that. Really very nice Serena. I hope you are feeling well? I know you've been through a lot. Take care and see you soon. Thanks by the way, for stopping by my blog.

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    1. Serena Lewis5 July 2012 at 20:54

      I know what you mean....it's hard to get back into the swing of things in Blogland after having breaks. Thanks for your positive comments, Gloria. I'm currently battling the dreaded flu so not feeling the best. I just can't seem to win a trick. lol xo

      Delete
  18. Tracy2 July 2012 at 21:21

    Such GORGEOUS capture of the raindrops, Serena! It's been a deluge here, and often has not been feeling very summer at all temperature-wise... Hoping summer will hit us yet, before snow returns... LOL! LOVELY sketch--such wonderful sense of texture you've rendered with the leaves... Be taking good care there. :o) ((HUGS))

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    1. Serena Lewis5 July 2012 at 20:55

      Thanks, Tracy. I hope you get a break from the rain. xo

      Delete
  19. Cindy Lane3 July 2012 at 20:26

    Such a beautiful leaf photo - the colour palette is amazing!

    Your Happy Plant has translated into a very happy sketch!

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    1. Serena Lewis5 July 2012 at 20:56

      Thanks, Cindy...I was very happy with with the leaf photo. Glad you like the pen sketch of my Happy plant. :)

      Delete
  20. Shashi Nayagam10 July 2012 at 21:30

    Oh wow such a beautiful photo thanks for sharing. What a beautiful sketch.

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  21. sandy11 July 2012 at 02:48

    that photo of the leaf and raindrops is beautiful! And oh....your plant your drew - great job!!

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  22. Anonymous13 July 2012 at 00:36

    LOVE your artwork, Serena. So inspiring!
    I have this on-off love affair with art... it will have to wait a while as I have building to paint. :)
    Have a great day,
    Zuzu

    ReplyDelete

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