Springtime Muse

This gouache painting feels so appropriate today. Spring is in the air, cool and crisp, bright blue sky, multiple shades of new green leaves growing, and everywhere tulips are in bloom.
"Garden Nymph", gouache, 7 x 5 inches

Tuesday Tea Time

I like blue and white china. I think a lot of people do. Speaking with a friend recently about it, we discussed the ancient China Trade route and how the blue and white Chinese porcelain inspired European countries--Portugal, France, The Netherlands, and England--to produce their own versions. So it is sort of an idea exchange, timeless and classic made new and then back to being timeless and classic. My drawing above has influences from a variety of patterns from my own collection at home. Ideas used to travel slowly from place to place...unlike now where sharing happens instantaneously. Maybe our communication can slow down slightly, just enough for some gracious thoughtfulness over a cup of tea.

Happy Easter!

Best wishes for a Happy Easter weekend! Here's hopping...I mean hoping Spring has arrived and we can all enjoy a warm and relaxing holiday.

Tuesday Tea Time

Inspiration comes from all sorts of places. The design for this cup was inspired by a hand-painted box made in India that I have at home. A small border pattern of black and gold on a red background somehow sparked my interest. My imagination took flight and created this energetic looking cup of tea. The lightening bolt suggests the zing of a caffeine buzz after a strong brew. It stimulates the mind, creating an alertness that seems to enhance concentration. Tea actually has more caffeine than coffee but a typical serving and the way it is brewed makes the effects milder. A brisk cup of tea adds a vivacious quality to the present moment and a zippy mood to the moments that follow.

Tuesday Tea Time

I once read that the best kind of rain is a “cozy rain”, where you could sleep in late, curl up with a good book, settle in by the fire with a cat on your lap and drink a cup of tea. The last of the cool silver rains of early spring soon fade into the showers that bring
May flowers.

Tuesday Tea Time

Sometimes at night when I can’t sleep I have a cup of herbal tea formulated for nightime. There are many on the market to help you get some rest. They contain ingredients with naturally calming sedative herbs such as – Chamomile, Valerian, St. John’s Wort, Hops, Lemon Balm and Passion Flower. Also plant compounds such as Skullcap to help reduce anxiety. I find that these herbal teas are not the best tasting but they seem to do the trick. Silently and slowly sipping until sleepy.