Splashing Through Life - Art by Patricia Henderson

I've decided to join the Grumbacher Art Swap, (See info HERE ) where artists trade art cards. This time the theme is Signs of the Zodiac. While my sign is Capricorn (goat), the first image that popped into my mind was of a little blue crab, for Cancer. We saw many of these tiny creatures on the beaches when we were in Nova Scotia. This fellow was very interesting to paint, as he was so different from what I've ever done. It was like painting an alien! Crabby 2.5 X 3.5 Not for sale

There are still a few hardy Black-Eyed Susans in my garden. It's lovely to see a few pops of yellow in among the fading greens and browns. The language of flowers was used in Victorian times as a means of communication in which flowers were used to send coded messages. Each flower had a special meaning. The Black-eyed Susan meant "Justice." This ACEO is part of my Language of Flowers series. ACEOs are tiny 2.5 X 3.5 inch works of art to collect or trade. They look great in a frame, or put them together to make a great coffee table book! Perfect little gifts for the art lover. Each of my ACEOs are signed or initialled on the front and signed and dated on the reverse. They are shipped in a protective plastic sleeve. Check out what I have available in my Etsy shop HERE . Black-Eyed Susan "Justice" 2.5" X 3.5"

These darling Clementine's are so sweet and juicy, I just had to sketch them before I eat them up! I was happy with the whole one, but had fits painting the partially peeled one. So, not so happy with that one, but it's just a sketch for me. And I had fun doing it and that's all that matters! Darling Clementines In my Moleskine Sketchbook 3.5 " X 5" (The photo is a bit dark, but you get the idea!)

I finally got my shipment of 6 X 6" canvasses, so I'll be doing some more of my fruit collages. I had some strawberries in the fridge, so I got out three nice ones and decided to warm up by doing a small watercolour study in my sketchbook. Stay tuned for the collage next! Strawberry Study 3.5" X 5" Moleskin Sketchbook Holbein Waterbrush, Pigma Micron 005 pen

I've been fighting a doozy of a cold this week! Yes, you heard me, I used the D word! It has really kicked my butt, but today I'm feeling quite a bit better. Good enough anyway to get out my sketchbook and doodle a little still life of my favourite remedy, tea with honey and lemon. Remedy 5" X 3.5" In Moleskin sketchbook Holbein Waterbrush and Pigma Micron 005 pen

Today I thought I'd do a quick watercolour sketch of a bunny that was visiting our yard last summer. As a pure watercolour, it's a failure, because I couldn't seem to keep my hands of the ink pens and even had the oil pastels out! Anyway I did get a bit of watercolour practise in, even if it's not a total success. S ummer Friend 5" X 7"

I decided to get out my garden journal sketchbook, but there wasn't much yet to sketch that I hadn't done last year. The only flowers that were blooming in abundance were these dandelions! It felt good to get outside with the pen and paints!