One of my favorite ways to unwind is to draw a flower or plant. I received a bouquet of Gerber daisies from a cast member after the show closed and last night I put on some good music, poured a glass of nice wine, and drew one of the flowers. It seemed like such a civilized way to spend a late night at home, after everyone else was asleep.

Back at the Magnolia

Some blooms are fading and dropping from the tree.

Sketchbook

The March winds are blowing, blowing strong today. I visited the magnolia tree, now in bloom, but the wind on the hill pushed me away from the tree. Instead, I found a spot out of the wind and settled next to some crocus that escaped the garden and grew in the lawn.

The kids tell me a hawk glided right next to me. "Mom I'm surprised you didn't feel it! It was right by your face!"

I was too busy counting petals to notice the hawk. Somehow my crocus has an extra petal in my drawing, but I figure that's for good luck.

Sketchbook

I spent some time in a dull waiting room today. I was grateful for the plant nearby that kept me company.

Sketchbook

Different day, different journal, same tree.

I was delighted today to see the changes since my last visit to the tree. Again, I didn't have a great amount of time, but enough to concentrate on one bud and notice the various shades of green...wish I could capture them all accurately. Pale green, yellow green, see-through-green, green green, bright green, dull green, gray green, brown green.

I think pink is about to dominate the scene. Just give her time.

Sketchbook

A wonderfully warm day today. I want to draw my favorite magnolia tree in various stages of bloom, and today I started the series. I didn't get to work on it as long as I needed, but I'll be back. This unfinished drawing has to be finished because the next time I go, the buds will be different.

A view of the Hudson River through a magnolia tree with fuzzy gray buds tightly closed