August 2024

August has been pretty brutal. I’m grateful for the few days we’ve recently had where the overnight temperatures dropped below 80 but between that and only a few drops of rain, the yard has scorched. I’ve watched my garden fade prematurely as the temps soared past what even the rosemary and lavender could handle.The heat has seeped into my every pore and made me restless. I find myself taking extra long walks in the morning, up to eight miles at one point, trying to focus my energy. At once, I want to be both outdoors and in. Getting to a concentrated state is a feat unto itself.

I’m awaiting the “Second Spring” that we get here in the South. The weather returns to something more manageably mild, and, if it rains, the roses begin to bloom again. Even the birds seem to echo this reawakened energy. As we march toward Autumn, I feel my energy shift too. From September forward is when I feel the whisperings of the Earth most deeply. The inspiration I gather during this period leading up to the new year echos within my work.

That said, I’m drinking in the last bits of Summer energy, enjoying the still-long days and the perfume of an occasional Gardenia bloom. I’m trying to anchor myself in the now, even if what is on the horizon is my favorite time of the year.

The state of the art studio at present with two new paintings in the works.

This month I released a series of Petit Paintings. This fern is one the collection.

The newly established cutting garden.It’s still a work in progress but the Hyacinth bean has happily smothered my Camellia branch trellis. The Seminole Pumpkin on the right is constantly being redirected away from the flowers.

The Cactus Snowman Zinnia in the garden outside my studio with a slumbering bee. I tend to forget that the stalwart beauties are also good for pollinators with their tiny flowers within the flower.

Having a martini (Botanist Gin straight up with a twis) out back with our cat Bagheera. The thunderstorm that popped up over the Gulf was as stunning as it was eerie.

A Black Swallowtail Butterfly on another Zinnia.

This month I completed this handsome fellow, yet to be named. This piece is inspired by the view outside my studio into the woods where, frequently, a fox scampers by. All the botanical specimens grow in my yard.

If you’re interested in purchasing please contact me as its not yet listed.

24x30” oil on linen

The back garden isn’t quite complete but this rain garden section has performed beautifully. It captures all the runoff from the roof that floods onto the porch. My studio to the left looks out over this area. Specimens include Lavender, Guara, Artemisisa, Mexican Heather, Echinacea, Zinnia, prostrate Rosemary, Cosmos, Creeping Thyme, Drift Rose, Rosie Posie Agastache, Oregano, Mexican Sage Bush, and Lamb’s Ear.

We haven’t had new additions to our flock since 2019 and decided it was time to introduce new blood. We ordered six chicks, three Splash Marans and three Frizzle Sapphire Jewels.