Summer Solstice- 2- Artistic Pursuits

In the past few years, my artistic endeavors have usually happened on a sudden whim in the latter half of the year. Sometimes, the idea has been in the head for even up to a couple of years, and I suddenly happen to find the perfect materials I need for my project. That spurs me into action. These things hardly happen when its cold outside at the beginning of the year.

This year, winter was packing a punch. It was cold, as cold as the Gulf Coast can get. Instead of just bundling up and making plans in the head, I luckily chanced upon a book while on a quick visit to the craft store. It was called Zentangles. I liked what I saw and then found a whole lot of videos on YouTube explaining the concept. I was obviously late to the party and people had been on this bandwagon for a few years now. Nevertheless, I found this to be an exciting discovery. The play of lines and geometric patterns, shading and colors, it was a lot of fun to explore how this genre of art is presented.
I made a frame using the Celtic knot and found it to be so meditative and therapeutic!

This Phicops pattern below reminded me of Foraminifera shells I used to learn about and got a chance to sort, while studying geological oceanography for one semester. One found such intricate designs in what otherwise seemed like grains of sand. While I was at it, I began to realize that pencils were a very interesting medium when you wanted to give a three dimensional effect to a drawing. 

Another variation of the Phicops.

At about this time, I found a lot of doodling designs. People are so gifted, and so versatile! I decided to try one with my favorite animal, the dolphin. Henna style patterns filled in the shape. I used a gel pen for this small trial in my book.

You will notice that I may have given up Marine Science as a profession a long time ago, but some of it still remains within my being.

This was another random design of a silken cord that I really enjoyed drawing.

At about this time, I was looking for something to gift to some close friends. I hoped this family would like it if I made a custom pieces of art for them. I ended up making two pieces. 

As classical music buffs, I thought they would appreciate an instrument they were learning to play. How I wanted to do this was debated for over two weeks. I might still work on my initial design idea I had in my head! Tune in in a few months to see if I did!

For these two pieces, I used canvas. The canvas was first spray painted with a deep blue paint. Then, acrylic paint and embossed fabric paint was used.

My friend being a fashionista of sorts, I figured that my depiction of her passion would be admired. This would be art for her closet!

Here again, I used embossed fabric paint to give depth.  

Closeups of the two main designs are posted below. I used an endless knot motif on the handbag. It was very reminiscent of the Celtic knot I had done earlier.

I used doodling design elements for the necklace. Finding turquoise fabric paint to give a bead like feel in this jewelry was very enjoyable as an artist.

These are a few pieces I made until the end of March. Going forward, there are so many inspiring art forms that I have begun to explore. More on those later. 

Summer Solstice- 1 -Gardening update

Writing has not been prioritized lately.  A whole lot of ideas for posts lie unused in my head. Today being the longest day of the year, I decided to brush aside the lethargy and get down to business. This post is in two parts and will be a mosaic of some facets of my life that have found prominence in the past six months. The first part is an update on the gardening front.

Winter this year dragged on for longer than usual. Spring was kind of long too, and suddenly in May, it felt like July. The plants were confused. Some of my regular plants did not do well. Fewer sunflowers sprouted from seeds, some other seedlings died, and tomatoes were the biggest failure. It's the first time in 5 years that we had no cherry tomatoes to snack on.

Some others did well though. It was my first time growing Kohlrabi. I had bought two plants at the local county plant fair and sale. They did pretty well, considering I had forgotten they were growing in one corner.

Cilantro volunteers grew in several places in the yard, even in the lawn!

It was great garnishing several dishes with fresh cilantro, including this stir-fried kohlrabi, sauteed with some olive oil and cumin seeds. 

Carrots were planted later than usual but they enjoyed the longer period of cooler temperatures until the end of April. I could harvest them about four times all through April.

I had also got Arugula plants from the county sale. They grew nicely and finally bolted. The flowers turned into pods. I have collected seeds to plant later in the fall.

Collard greens was another one I was growing for the first time. Peeking from behind it are a few leaves of red mustard.

Sunflowers are always such a pleasure to have growing in the yard. They are happy flowers! A bee with pollen all over the legs, doing its job in the greater scheme of things.

Mushrooms growing among day lilies and Nasturtiums after a soaking shower.

Romaine lettuce is still producing seeds. I will collect them for next year. These wind-pollinated seeds are so beautiful!

Eggplants are all volunteers in the yard this year. I am yet to ascertain what kind they are.

The Cardinal Climber- I love the leaves and flowers of this vine. Hopefully they will last until fall. Hummingbirds are supposed to love them, and I can confirm that only in September.

Speaking of which, the Northern Cardinal continues to visit often. I think their nest is somewhere nearby, the pair is often in our yard together.

The House Finch is also a regular visitor.

They seem to love the Thai Basil, Lemon Basil, and native Salvia flowers/seeds.

American Robins visit often. They love the bird bath. 

I had bought a Chamomile plant at the county fair back in December. It showed a lot of vegetative growth for a while, and has only just begun to flower.

I want to collect the flowers, dry them and use them to make tea. Their calming effect is known, and coupled with Lemon Balm, it should make an interesting herbal supplement when needed. 

This bounty is from today. It rained a lot these last couple of days. I found two purple bell peppers, some green peppers, and decided to bring some lemon balm leaves to make some tea. The tea promises to soothe!