nature, painting

Tales from Nannie’s garden – a summer day

Let me tell you a story. Once upon a time on a sunny day, the Bobbin family were playing in the garden. But wait, what do you think is happening? I could tell you what I think, but it is up to you to make the painting come to life.

This is my version of the story in the painting.

Once upon a time on a summer day, the Bobbin family were playing in the garden.

Jimmy was watching the baby bluetits playing in the water Nannie had left out for them. One young bluetit had his eye on a peacock butterfly – wondering if it was good to eat.

The shy great spotted woodpecker was half hidden amongst the leaves waiting for everyone to go so he could have a drink of water.

The blackbird had heard the noise and came to see what was going on. But in the meantime, was that a tasty snail in the broken flowerpot?

The squirrel was chatting to Timmy and Jerry who were sitting on the bench. They were hoping to go and have a splash in the water.

Bobbie Robin was near Clarrie, helping her keep an eye on everyone.

All was calm, but then Ned the Nisse came sliding down the tree hoping to land in the cool water. What a splash he could make!  Ned was always mischievous. Jimmy enjoyed playing with him but was worried that the bluetits would be scared off by Ned.

Nannie was standing nearby. What did she have in her basket? Was it flowers she had picked or had she brought out some of her special cakes for everyone.

What is your version of the story of the painting?

Background

This is my latest painting.

Tales from Nannie’s garden lets children make up their own story, encouraging them to use their imagination, while at the same time getting to know nature.

On a shelf near the painting are various figures and items associated with the painting so that anyone can play and continue the story.

It makes you wonder what your figures get up to when you are not watching.

nature, painting

Nature paintings

Recently I’ve been painting leaves and flowers in watercolour, following workshops held at Firstsite in Colchester with Lisa Temple-Cox.

Cone from a Scot’s pine

pine cone

Autumn cyclamen

One of my favourite flowers, I love it that the flowers appear before the leaves

cyclamen

Fuschia

The fuschia are still blooming when most other flowers have finished.

fuschia

Gorse

Gorse is in flower any time of the year.

gorse

Rose hips

Rose hips were used to make a syrup full of vitamin C.

rose hip
rose hip with leaf

Ivy

Ivy is one of the plants associated with Christmas decorations, but it is around all year .

ivy

Nerine

Nerines are another bulb that fowers in the autumn. With their tall stems, the bright pink flowers brighten up any dull day.

nerine

Oak leaf

Autumn and the oak is the last to lose its leaves. This is an example of the chlorophyll gradually leaching from the leaf.

oak leaf

Holly

The holly and its berries, so very much part of Christmas. The leaves are so shiny – I find them very difficult to paint.

I hope you enjoyed these paintings.

painting

Watercolour paintings

Lately I’ve been doing watercolour painting after a break when I couldn’t find the inspiration to pick up a brush. I’ve been out with my camera taking photos, then turning them into paintings.

I’ve found the more I paint, the better my technique becomes. Each picture has something I think I’ve done well and lots of places where I could improve.

Here are a few of the paintings.

ladies on beach

This painting of people on the beach was inspired after doing a jigsaw puzzle of the four seasons of Peter Brueghel the Younger. I like all the characters in his paintings.

community garden

This painting is of a disused railway building. The area around it has been turned into a beautiful community garden tended by volunteers. I enjoyed painting the building and I feel shadows and depth are improving.

boy on bridge

This painting is of a boy walking on a bridge over a stream near where I live. Whenever I walk past the stream the bridge is always in a different place, moved by the local children.

man walking dog

This painting of a man walking his dog on a path through the trees is one of my favourites. I particularly like the simplicity of it. Quite often I’ll overdo things.

Lady dog walkers

I often see dog walkers on my early morning walks. These ladies had been walking their dogs and stopped to have a chat. I like the way their poses are similar, and that all three dogs are watching me.

I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing these paintings. Do let me know what you think.