As fall is winding down into winter, I can’t help thinking how the world outside will seem bleak and near lifeless soon. Helping to keep the blues at bay, however, are my three curious kids and some plants. The plants bring life and a hint of that glorious green luster that summer took with her when she left. The kids bring curiosity and pure excitement.
This little corner actually reminds me of summer, it’s bright and warm, lush and green.
If you want to see this corner, it’s in this listing:
Curious kids are a magic thing. I can’t tell you how many times curiosity has sent us down rabbit holes of discovery. My curious kids know I’ll always try to find answers to their questions. Their curiosity stimulates mine. I have learned so much from them and with them. One thing my kids enjoy is trying to sprout seeds from various foods they’ve had the pleasure to consume, and it’s become a kind of ongoing science experiment. My kitchen window is full of these little project plants. Currently on the sill we have: a thriving avocado plant raised from a pit, a fledgling orange plant raised from a seed, plus various tops and bottoms of onions, carrots, lettuce, and a pineapple all trying to regenerate themselves.
Avocado plant growing in a little bottle. This drawing inspired a little painting.
We are so excited to watch the plants grow and see the new life sprouting from kitchen scraps we’d usually either trash or throw into bone broth. The green onions grow fast enough that each day we’re surprised and delighted with the progress. Growing things also serve to remind us during short days of cool sun that spring will come again, as she always does. Winter doldrums are finite.
Green onions and tomatoes I sketched while making dinner one night this week.
Art class today! Rembrandt, Hals, and a short tour of Dutch still life masters. If the older kids are into it, Vermeer. Afterwards, more volume drawing, perhaps, or maybe back to line drawing. 3D is new enough to be uncomfortable. I know it’s good to go out of your comfort zone, but I also don’t want them to form the idea that they’re untalented and thus quit trying. It’s quite a fine line, but we’ve got time to build that confidence up.
Thanks for checking out a few of my sketches and random thoughts! I hope you’re enjoying the end of fall and are looking forward to a relaxing weekend.
PS…. I must confess that I live in South Carolina, so the winters are very mild. I have lived in harsh winter climates, though. The worst one was probably upstate NY. The very short days of winter, I think, are what really get to me. I often think I must be solar powered.
Wonderful sketches! Thank you so much for sharing. With shorter days, do you tend to sketch more or less? Sometimes, without as much to do outside, I find myself creating even more in the winter. 🙏❤️
Beautiful painting! (If you're reading this, be sure to click the "Find your Bliss" button - beautiful talent!) 🌹🙂