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Tag: butterfly bush

February 9, 2012
Kathy
2 Comments

More Signs of Spring

Posted in Reference Photos

Over the weekend, we found some more signs of Spring. As I am writing this, it is snowing. : )   All the more reason to enjoy the peek of Spring that is on it's way!

Daffodil shoots

The daffodils on the left were sheltered by an overgrown decorative grass. The shoots on the right  were not sheltered.    What a  the difference!

The always hardy butterfly bush

You can't keep the Butterfly Bush down even in the winter.  This hardy guy is busy putting out new leaves in spite of the calendar that says February.   I heavily prune the Butterfly bushes this time of year. However, I think I will leave this free thinking one alone and let it do it's thing. Wonder if it will flower early too….?

Snow drop

We almost missed this little three inch Snow Drop. Luckily it didn't get stepped on and I got a photo of the first spring flower in the yard!

April 27, 2011
Kathy
4 Comments

Behind The Easel look at Monarch and Butterfly Bush Painting

Posted in Peeking Behind the Easel

 Behind The  Easel look at  Monarch and Butterfly Bush Painting

My newest painting is finished and matted. I've painted a number of small Monarch butterfly paintings recently. They are such fun to paint.  This time I wanted to paint the monarch on the butterfly bush, with all the wing detail on display,  the way they look in the summer  when they show up in my yard.  The butterfly bushes are not in bloom here and this is where the reference photos and sketch book come into play.

I've taken a zillions photos of the butterfly bush over time. I pulled a few that  showed a single stem up close  to use for this painting. 

Butterfly bush photos

I also pulled out my sketch book that I have detailed the butterfly bush during the summer  for a larger unfinished  painting.   I've seen some artist's "rough" sketches that  are gorgeous  and look ready to matt and sell for a premium price. Mine are not…… not at all.  However, they provide the mechanics of what the flower and stem look like for me. I rough sketch each, and then detail the colors and where the colors are on the flower and how the leaves grow off the stem. These are the finer details that I can't always see in a photo.

Butterfly bush flowers and leaves

Here is the finished painting:

Monarch butterfly on butterfly bush

You can find this painting at my Etsy shop.  And that is a peek behind the easel.

January 16, 2011
Kathy
Comments closed

The Mighty Butterfly Bush

Posted in Reference Photos

The Mighty Butterfly Bush

 

 

Hi Everyone!

We're one of the 49 states that got snow this past week.  It's a great time to pull out the camera and get some great snow photos. I was surprised to see most of the butterfly bushes scattered around the yard have new buds and leaves. Nothing seems to stop these fun plants. Not temperatures in the single digits, not snow, not the shorter winter daylight.  They just keep on doing their thing.

 

                                  

I am looking forward to this summer when they are in full bloom, loaded with butterflies. And to finishing the large painting of these wonderful butterflies and plants that I have started.