Queen Anne's Lace

Between the heat and trying to enjoy every last minute of summer break, I haven't been outside to weed or to draw. I found this picture from earlier this summer of the field that attaches to my yard. Weeds and nature combine and this particular Queen Anne's Lace was at least 3 feet tall. My Mom always told me they were full of chiggers. My DH's mom told him a chigger lived in the very center of each one. True?

Black-Eyed Susans

Yesterday I decided it was really time to pull up what was left of my Black-Eyed Susans. They were beautiful this year - all volunteered from last years two tiny surviving plants. Oh the wonders of God's world. Well most of the seeds had fallen and the plants were stringy and dying from the heat - so time to move on. This is a watercolor pencil sketch I did of them for a class with Kate Johnson (she is a great teacher!) I really enjoyed investigating the different stages of the plants. Drawing really really makes you look.

Sunset in the Blue Ridge Mountains

I can never capture the beauty of the North Carolina mountains. Not with a camera. Not in a painting. But I do love to try. This small painting is a combination of watercolor and watercolor pencil. In my attempt to put the peace and tranquility of that evening on paper, I of course fall short. What the painting does do though is spark my memory of that beautiful day spent with a dear dear friend.

Bald Knob Farmhouse

Bald Knob Farmhouse
Originally uploaded by Connie Vickers

Sparta, North Carolina is a wonderful small town just off the Blue Ridge Parkway. For the past two years, four of my cousins and I have been blessed to spend a quiet weekend in this beautiful old home named Bald Knob Farmhouse by its owners.

Spending time in a beautiful home with beautiful women that I love is truly a gift.

In this small watercolor, I tried to capture a small part of that peaceful time.

Maggie Valley North Carolina

Maggie Valley North Carolina
Originally uploaded by Connie Vickers

Just got home from the beautiful mountains of North Carolina. Wonderful days spent looking at the beauty of God's earth with a dear friend.