Art to Celebrate Spring's Rebirth

 

 

Blog 5.2

 

It’s hard to believe, but I have already been creating daily art in my sketchbook for the past five months. In fact, despite visitors and vacations, I only missed one day in March.

During May, I have been especially excited about the blooming flowers everywhere. At home, I studied many of the spring flowers in our garden, finding the white flowers the most challenging. I have been experimenting with Prismacolor coloured pencils with varied success. While I like them for bright flowers, I prefer watercolour pencils for the softer transitions and watercolour effects.

 

  

After my return from Germany, I only spent one day at home before we headed to the cottage for a week of relaxation. I couldn't resist drawing the geese gliding noisily through the water in the Ottawa River, our cute dog waiting for my husband, and one of the cheeky chipmunks that raced around the cottage. I also captured the only tulip that bloomed next to the cottage.

 

Gerbera, Chipmunk, Trillium, Cat, Orange-and-Purple Tulip

 

Unfortunately, I didn't manage to paint downtown during the Tulip Festival, but I still visited Major's Hill Park with my daughter and took photos of the beautiful tulips. At home, I drew the brilliant orange-and-purple tulip above and the pink-and-white tulip below. 

 

The cat above was sitting on the sidewalk next to the house where my daughter lives. I wondered if it was missing my daughter's cat that was at our house at the time. 

 

I drew the Iris during one of our virtual Painting Buddies meetings. After the meeting, I used a water brush to create the watercolour effect. Hélène Martin provided the reference photo. 

 

 

 

Yellow Magnolia, Violets and Forget-Me-Nots, Iris, Pink-and-White Tulip, Rosetta Kalanchoe

 

Usually, I don't touch an image anymore after I draw it. However, I was very unsatisfied with the dull background of the Yellow Magnolia drawing. Therefore, I painted over it with watercolours. Unfortunately, I also reworked the blossoms. After adding several layers to the image, I gave up, because I had already spent too much time on this drawing. It was still a good exercise.

Instead of reworking the image any further, I might try painting the blooms again in watercolour or acrylic.

 

 

On May 23, my three four-week Cartooning and Comic courses at François Dupuis Recreation Centre started. In the first class, the children created superheroes or villains from simple shapes. I was inspired to create a male ice cream character consisting of a raspberry scoop (circle) on a waffle (triangle) with chocolate frosting. 

 

Later, I wondered if the character wouldn't look better with long hair and a skirt. I didn't want to draw the figure again. Instead, I used the photo software on my computer to edit the original image. With a freehand pen, I drew the skirt and outlines, and used the pink highlighter for the hair. The chocolate frosting turned into a hairband.

Bleeding Heart, White Tulip with Rain Drops, Yellow Archangel, and a garden snail

I will post the last May images and my June artworks in my June blog on June 26, 2026.

 

 

Until then, I wish you a wonderful spring. If you enjoy creating art in a social setting, I invite you to my Spring Art Café on June 14, 2026, from 2 PM to 4 PM. We will create beautiful paper flowers from old magazines and books. I will provide all the art materials and light refreshments. Let’s have fun together creating art, chatting, and laughing to build connections. 

Memories of Germany - Travel Art

 

Blog 5.1

 

Due to the large number of artworks since my last blog post, I decided to publish an additional blog this week with the drawings and paintings from my time in Germany. 

 

 

I returned from Germany in early May. During my visits with relatives and many friends, I received so much generosity and hospitality. I witnessed the frailty of my older relatives and realized even more how precious our time together is. Therefore, I concentrated on connecting with the people I only see once a year. I still created daily drawings, often late at night after my parents went to bed, but only started one watercolour and one needle-felted painting.

 

 

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Many spring flowers were already blooming during my visit. My drawings reflect the blossoming nature. I was extremely fortunate with the weather and experienced only three rainy days during my entire stay, with temperatures rising up to 27 degrees in the last week of my stay.

 

 

 

 

Except for trips with my parents and friends, I only relied on public transportation. Therefore, I have some sketches of fellow passengers. For the first time, someone talked to me about drawing people on the train, asking me if I had asked the person’s permission, which is not necessary as long as you don’t create a drawing that clearly identifies the person. I am more interested in the posture and how it affects the body's perspective and proportions. I struggle immensely with glasses. The person concluded the conversation with a dismissive comment about my drawing abilities. I consider it all a good way to practice, whether it turns out the way I envisioned it or not, but someone who hasn’t tried creating art might not understand my motives.

Unfortunately, my pencil sketches are usually very light. When I took the pictures, I couldn't increase the darkness of the images without also increasing the darkness of the writing on the backsides.

 

To strengthen my connections with art collectors and students, I invite you to my free Art Café on June 14, 2026, from 2 PM to 4 PM. I still have three more spaces available. If you plan to join us, please register soon.

This event offers an opportunity to connect through conversation, shared food, and a fun art project. We will create beautiful paper flowers from old magazines and books. I will provide all the materials and some light refreshments. You are welcome to bring a treat, especially if you have any dietary restrictions.


I will publish my regular May blog on May 29 with the rest of my May daily art projects. Until then, enjoy the  abundance nature offers.