Stupendous poppies

Dear Friends,

These flowers are stupendous. I encountered them a week ago when Zing! and I were walking through Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park, and I just had to go back to see them again. Sunday, when I finally got to draw them, people gathered around — not to see my work, but to see the flowers.  Everybody started talking. I learned they are called Matilija poppy and are named after an Indian chief. They come from southern California. They shed their flowers and turn into sticks after summertime. And their nickname is the fried egg poppy.

… and when I checked the web, I learned Matilija poppy is native to chaparral and coastal sage scrub habitats, primarily from Santa Barbara County, and that it was a candidate for state flower, but  was beat out by the California poppy. Below my drawing is a photo I took yesterday. 

Love,

k

Nothing-special Fridays are my favorite

Dear Friends,

A nothing-special Friday. I think this might be my favorite kind. I went to the gym, bought markers on sale at the art store made rice pudding, cleaned house. And walked Zing! 

Love,

k

Rhubarb and maybe strawberries

Written yesterday:

Dear Friends, 

I’m writing this around 4 p.m. because I just finished drawing (and cooking) the rhubarb. I remember Grandma Krumm cooked rhubarb, but I don’t think Mom did. It is from the farmers market. 

Later I’m going to meet Mary Kaye and Leigh to try out a new restaurant in East Sac. 

Now I’m going to paint … waiting until the last minute to take Zing! for a walk — maybe it will cool off a bit.

Love,

k

Two days to draw an artichoke

Written June 10

Dear Friends,
I would have drawn an artichoke for today, but I ate it.

Janie, Sandy and I just came back from Ella restaurant (I have been told people around here call it Ella, not Ella’s…) where we celebrated Sandy’s birthday and also her purchase of a condo here. She liked renting here so much that she bought a place. That’s when I ate the artichoke. 

Other than that, I did organizing, paperwork and budgeting. I would rather draw an artichoke.

Written June 11
And, yes, I did get some artichokes today. The recipe is from the New York Times. Dip the leaves in lemon juice, garlic and salt, whisked together with melted butter. Or maybe olive oil. 
Love,
k

Becoming California

Dear Friends,

I’ve been here almost three years, and at last I’m becoming California. When I got here I thought all the fruit was delicious. Now I sniff at so-so farmers market cherries bubbling with lemon and sugar on my stove to bring out what small flavor they have. I know better ones are coming. When I got here I still thought the ocean was on the east, like in Florida. Now I am planning to take I-80 West to hit 101 and drive along my new watery edge of America. And three years ago I was overwhelmed by wineries, embarrassed  because I loved the bottles at the grocery store. But this morning I went with other artists to draw at a lovely winery in Yolo County and deemed it perhaps still developing — too raw, too new. 

It took a while, but I’m becoming California  — our cherries, wine, and even our ocean make me happy.

This morning (May 25) I drove to Great Bear Vineyards in Davis. They welcomed artists to come in and draw. That is the generous, large spirit of California.

Love,

k

Great Bear Vineyards

Inspired by California missions

(I did not stay for wine tasting at 11!)

The big old barn smelled sweet

They dry lavender here

There was a field of lavender nearby, not quite in bloom

Lavender from another season

still attached to drying post

I tapped these barrels in the barn and thought they were full

my friend Leigh said they sound empty

They grow grapes and lavender … and apples

Be careful what you draw

Dear Friends, 
I’ve been drawing flowers for a month, and last week I also got a balcony full of real ones.  Be careful what you draw ... it may come to you! I’d already bought some ferns and pink flowers. And then my neighbor Ellen, who is moving to Arizona as soon as her husband retires in June, brought me red geraniums and schefflera and deep pink bougainvillea.  Now they all line the balcony. Best of all, Ellen tied a bell from Thailand onto a bougainvillea branch. She remembered that I told her I love the sound.
Love,k

Here’s the vine that I hope will attract hummingbirds.

Flower season

Dear Friends,
Flowers abound here and I'm aiming to draw one a day.

Love,
k

Dogwood on 7th Street