Grateful: Gift of Flowers

I recently returned home to find a beautiful bouquet of unknown (to me) flowers! They became my companion in catching special fall light in the morning and in the evening. My search for their name took me to many places online (it is Veronica/speedwell variety - Veronica spicata). I learned that there is a mystery series with the same name!  I could not puzzle out the shape of the inflorescence, but enjoyed the twisty flat end. And watched colors change with time.

Having them right in front of me resulted in playing with my materials more, with no results in mind, and it felt wonderful. I just said hi to them every day. Great gift - I recommend it for both giving and receiving! Here are some of the sketches:

Poinsettia Surprise

In the middle of a pre-holiday whirlwind, a cardboard box with a lovely print appeared under my door. The tag said that it's been checked for a Japanese Beetle, there was my name and no other notes, and inside was a lovely Poinsettia! A surprise! It took me about a week to go over a list of potential gift-givers until I found out who it was from (thank you, dear!) :) But the gratitude for having a new plant to paint started pouring onto the pages of my sketchbook even before :)

Today on my table.

Making gifts gets me going on any day so I am off to drop these in the mail box. 

Sketchbook #109: My Halloween Sketches :)