New Irish Gardening Site

Garden.ie is a new Irish gardening site that I've joined.
You'll find me in there as janie, funnily enough!
I'm keeping a gardening journal there and making new gardening pals and availing of all the good advice from the professionals.


These are my wallflowers, they've really taken off.
It's just the one plant that I got last year as a skinny raggedy stalk, in the bargain basket, you know ,the poor plants that have past their sell by date, but really all they need is a little love and attention, oh ya and watering.
Anyway I love their velvety depth of colour and their sweet scent is amazing.

Polar bears, endangered species

Illustration Friday's topic is 'Save'.
This is my illustration of a Polar bear who like many endangered species needs saving from the consequences of our actions.
According to this months National Geographic, due to climate change,"Some experts estimate that polar bears may become extinct by the end of the century unless something is done fast".
We must, as the superior species we're supposed to be, do our utmost to save these magnificent animals that we have endangered with our ignorant abuse of the delicate balance of nature.
You can read all about Polar bears and other endangered species here

Artistic Elephants

via creative evolutions

I was pretty amazed when I saw this today, I just had to post it.
I did a little research and found this site where they explain all about the painting elephants and sell their art to fund the Asian elephant conservation project.
I have to admit I was a trifle disappointed to read "Just for clarification, with these realistic figural works, the elephant is still the only one making the marks on the paper but the paintings are learned series of brushstrokes not Hong painting a still life on her own."
I would prefer if they allowed the elephants to simply experiment.
Apparently they naturally doodle in the dirt with a pebble or a stick, so let them do their doodles on paper with no interfering human 'Help'.

Here are a couple of paintings that I liked.
Click on the names to meet the artists!


Naram

Jintara

Outrageous Barbie

This saucy miss is the creation of Nancy Lefko, who very generously had a giveaway and I won Barbie.
I'm thrilled and delighted and look forward to this party girl's arrival.
Be sure to check out My collage art to see all the fabulous work of Nancy Lefko.
Thank you again for your outrageous generosity Nancy:)

Primula vulgaris

The first painting in my handmade sketchbook.
It's not great but it's a start.
I decided to use the sketchbook for watercolours of my garden from life rather than from my photographs.
Painting from life really is a whole different ball game and I'm way out of practice.
I think it is much harder than using a photograph where all the colours have been decided.
Sitting in front of my primroses it was up to me to discern their delicate hues and tones.
Obviously I'm not very discerning!
My primroses aren't prim at all,they're most definitely of the vulgaris breed, overblown and blowzy :)

Sun, sea 'n surf

This is my 'Homage' to surfers who keep the dream alive.
Particularly Tyler Warren who's art I'm also paying 'Homage' to.
I haven't made it to the water yet, but I have found the board I want!
Shopping is nearly as therapeutic as surfing, only joking, it's way better...
No really I am just messing...honestly
Anyway the board is a longboard, but not too long, it's eight ft.somethingorother.
A manageable length and an easy ride apparently and easy to paddle, easy to pop up on...
All round easy, that sounds perfect to me, oh and it's a soft yellow with a big flower motif.
Yep, that's the board for me, pretty perfect!