Saturday, January 21, 2012

Lessons from my pansies




On this gloomy January Saturday, I decided to get out my watercolors and sketchbook... Playing at my art table always brightens my spirit and helps add balance in my life.  My art is often a spiritual experience for me.  Those quiet moments of introspection help ground me... help me know where I am on this journey... and help me know how grateful I am for my abundance.

Even though our winter here in the foothills has been relatively mild, we still have had some very cold nights.  The only plants in my yard that make it through the frigid times are the winter kale and my beloved pansies.  I wanted to bring their rich, velvety textures into my art studio to sketch on this Saturday afternoon. So I plucked three lovely specimens...


I wanted to do a watercolor sketch and write about these delightful flowers.  I do adore the soft, ethereal look of watercolor... although it is a difficult medium to master... it is such a favorite of mine.



As I wrote today, I thought of the strength of these resilient flowers.  It is so amazing that they can withstand the cold weather, when almost no others can...  During the coldest of days, the little blossoms  bow their little heads... but just as soon as the warmer, sunnier times arrive, they will hold their heads high... reveling in their renewed energy.  I want to be like that... When difficult days come, I want to hunker down and then come back stronger than ever...  Isn't it wonderful that we can learn so many lessons from nature???








3 comments:

kristi said...

What a beautiful message for this softly somber Sunday. Your words are a gentle reminder that 'it's all good', and your luscious watercolors are bringing a radiance to me today. Thank you for this gift today!

Martha Richardson said...

What a beautiful post...I love pansies. The watercolor is fabulous ;)

Sheree said...

I so enjoy your blog, Baby Jane!! It helps me to feel connected! Your words calm my spirit as my eyes feast on the beauty of your watercolor pansies!! Thanks!