my temporary French wife
abstract sailboats
Provincetown Boats
another lavender rhododendron
fooling around town June 10, 2017
fooling around with painter nozzles June 10, 2017
fooling around with ipad apps June 10, 2017
Rhododendron
Rhododendron is a genus characterised by shrubs and small to (rarely) large trees, the smallest species growing to 10–100 cm (3.9–39.4 in) tall, and the largest, R. protistum var. giganteum, reported to 30 m (98 ft) tall. The leaves are spirally arranged; leaf size can range from 1–2 cm (0.39–0.79 in) to over 50 cm (20 in), exceptionally 100 cm (39 in) in R. sinogrande. They may be either evergreen or deciduous. In some species, the undersides of the leaves are covered with scales (lepidote) or hairs (indumentum). Some of the best known species are noted for their many clusters of large flowers. There are alpine species with small flowers and small leaves, and tropical species such as section Vireya that often grow as epiphytes. Species in this genus may be part of the heath complex in oak-heath forests in eastern North America. (source – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhododendron)
nice neighborhood
Kartusha 15 months old – balancing act
so happy with Kartusha 7 months old
the guy
Watery Rooster & Easter Lily
The Seine
The Seine rises in the commune of Source-Seine, about 30 kilometres (19 mi) northwest of Dijon. The source has been owned by the city of Paris since 1864. A number of closely associated small ditches or depressions provide the source waters, with an artificial grotto laid out to highlight and contain a deemed main source. The grotto includes a statue of a nymph, a dog, and a dragon. On the same site are the buried remains of a Gallo-Roman temple. Small statues of the dea Sequana “Seine goddess” and other ex voti found at the same place are now exhibited in the Dijon archeological museum. (source – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seine)
National flower of Argentina
Erythrina cristina galli (Ceibo) is the National flower of Argentina. The Erythrina is a South American tree, with carmine red flowers and a crooked trunk. Locally Erythrina is called as ceibo, sebo or bucar. Common names of Erythrina include, Cockspur Coral Tree, Cock’s Comb, Common Coral Tree, Cry-Baby Tree. (source http://www.theflowerexpert.com/content/aboutflowers/nationalflowers/argentina-national-flower)
Messy Woods
(by Michael J. Fargione) Standing dead trees are known as snags; they provide food, shelter and resting places for wildlife. As fungi and insects attack living trees and dead snags, they soften the wood, making it possible for woodpeckers and other cavity makers to create holes. These holes are also used by other animals. (source – http://www.caryinstitute.org/newsroom/messy-woods-serve-critical-purpose-forest-management)
Two Tree’s
Two Tree’s
Two Tree’s
The Neva
“The Neva is the main waterway of Petersburg and the town is situated along its banks and across the islands of its broad delta. It is one of the largest rivers in Europe by volume of water and also one of the world’s shortest major rivers at only 74 kilometers. The Neva connects Lake Ladoga, the largest lake in Europe, to the Baltic Sea. For centuries, it was of great strategic importance for transport and so the interests of the Russians, Swedes, Finns, and Balts clashed on its banks. From the 8th-13th centuries, the Neva was part of the trade route from Scandinavia to Byzantium, the road “from the Varangians to the Greeks.” In 1240, the Novgorod militia led by Prince Alexander Yaroslavich defeated the invading Swedish army on the banks of the Neva. Because of the victory, the prince was thereafter nicknamed Alexander Nevsky (of the Neva). But the main page in the history of this great river began to be written, of course, in 1703 when St. Petersburg was founded at the mouth of the Neva.” (source – http://www.saint-petersburg.com/rivers-and-canals/neva-river/)
Karalian Outhouse
Karalian Outhouse (source – Karalian Outhouse)
beachgrass
Ammophila breviligulata (American beachgrass or American marram grass) is a species of grass that is native to eastern North America, where it grows on sand dunes along the Atlantic Ocean and Great Lakes coasts. Beachgrass thrives under conditions of shifting sand, sand burial, and high winds; it is a dune-building grass that builds the first line of sand dunes along the coast. Beachgrass is less vigorous in stabilized sand, and is only infrequently found further inland than the coastal foredunes. A. breviligulata was introduced to the Pacific coast of North America in the 1930s. It is proving to be invasive, and is increasingly important to coastal ecology and development in Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. (source – Wikipedia)
playing with a new brush – 3
playing with a new brush – 2
Playing with a new brush – 2
playing with a new brush – 1
playing with a new brush – 1.
Coastal dunes
“Coastal dunes make up roughly one third of the Cape Cod National Seashore, covering approximately 8,500 acres from Chatham to Provincetown. Dunes predominate on barrier beach and spits, along the coastal margins of the Atlantic Ocean and Cape Cod Bay, and across the northern tip of the peninsula – an area known as the Province Lands.” – (https://www.nps.gov/caco/learn/nature/sand-dunes.htm)
View from my friend’s window
View from my friend’s window in Hanko Finland. Hanko (Finnish pronunciation: [ˈhɑŋko]; Swedish: Hangö), is a bilingual port town and municipality on the south coast of Finland, 130 kilometres (80 mi) west of Helsinki. Its current population is 8,835 (31 March 2016), with a majority being Finnish speakers and a strong minority being Swedish speakers (44%). – (source Wikipedia.com)
Abandoned greenhouse
I stumbled across this “abandoned greenhouse“ in Botzovo in Lenigrad Oblast several years ago. The other day I painted it using a restricted palette.
KOZYOL means Idiot in Russian
KOZYOL means Idiot in Russian. Here is my painting of a Billy Goat – KOZYOL or Idiot in Russian..
The Idiot (Russian: Идио́т, Idiot) is a novel by the 19th-century Russian author Fyodor Dostoyevsky. It was first published serially in the journal The Russian Messenger in 1868–9.
The title is an ironic reference to the central character of the novel, Prince (Knyaz) Lyov Nikolaevich Myshkin, a young man whose goodness and open-hearted simplicity lead many of the more worldly characters he encounters to mistakenly assume that he lacks intelligence and insight. In the character of Prince Myshkin, Dostoevsky set himself the task of depicting “the positively good and beautiful man”.[2] The novel examines the consequences of placing such a unique individual at the centre of the conflicts, desires, passions and egoism of worldly society, both for the man himself and for those with whom he becomes involved. The result, according to philosopher A.C. Grayling, is “one of the most excoriating, compelling and remarkable books ever written; and without question one of the greatest.”[3]
(source https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Idiot)
Japanese flowering cherry
The Japanese flowering cherry (also known as the Yoshino cherry) is the darling of the flowering tree world and the star of such renowned events as the National and International Cherry Blossom Festivals. This stand-out tree is, of course, known for its vibrant display of white-pink blossoms and faint almond fragrance in the springtime. In the summer, this tree will be a highlight in the yard with its oriental branching pattern, glossy bark and dark green leaves. (Source https://www.arborday.org/trees/treeguide/TreeDetail.cfm?ItemID=812)
Mirabelle plum
The mirabelle Plum is identified by its small, oval shape, smooth-textured flesh, and especially by its red, or dark yellow colour which becomes flecked in appearance. They are known for being sweet and full of flavour. The fruit is primarily used in fruit preserves and dessert pies, and its juice is commonly fermented for wine or distilled into plum brandy. Ninety percent of mirabelle plums grown commercially are made into either jam (70%) or eau de vie (20%). The plums are also excellent when eaten fresh. (source – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirabelle_plum)
Mirabelle plums grow wild at my wifes Russian dacha
Dacha Walk Flowers
Dacha Walk Flowers
Russia has a largely continental climate because of its sheer size and compact configuration and the climate thus effect the cultivation of flowers in the country. Both imported and locally grown flowers may be found in Russia, the latter are always cheaper, but there quality leaves much to be desired. (source – http://www.theflowerexpert.com/content/flowerbusiness/flowergrowersandsellers/national-native-popular-flowers-of-russia)
Svetlana at the beach again
Svetlana at the beach again
Sandy Neck “Village”
Sandy Neck “Village” is designated as a Cultural Historical District because of the many antique dune shacks and cottages, including the Sandy Neck Lighthouse. The mission of the Sandy Neck Program is to provide recreational opportunities and access to our town’s citizens and visitors while protecting the natural, cultural, and historic resources on Sandy Neck so that a long term, sustainable balance between use and conservation of these resources is achieved. (source – http://www.townofbarnstable.us/sandyneckpark/AboutSandyNeck.aspx)
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Family “KOT”
Here is our Family “KOT”. The Russian word for Cat is “KOT”.
“It is different. Russian word for cat is kot (the k and t sounds are different from those of english). in armenian cat is katu again k and t are different from that of english . Cat kot katu . These words are not the same, but they are similar. Anyway all these languages are indoeuropean. / written by Mihr Aharuni, An Armenian from Diaspora.”
Svetlana across the River Neva
Svetlana across the River Neva.
“The Neva (Russian: Нева́, IPA: [nʲɪˈva]) is a river in northwestern Russia flowing from Lake Ladoga through the western part of Leningrad Oblast (historical region of Ingria) to the Neva Bay of the Gulf of Finland. Despite its modest length of 74 kilometres (46 mi), it is the fourth largest river in Europe in terms of average discharge (after the Volga, the Danube and the Rhine).” (source From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
Given Name EKATERINA
“Given Name EKATERINA – GENDER: Feminine – USAGE: Bulgarian, Macedonian, Russian – OTHER SCRIPTS: Екатерина (Bulgarian, Macedonian, Russian)
PRONOUNCED: ye-kah-tye-REE-nah (Russian), ee-kah-tee-REE-nah (Russian) [key] – Meaning & History – Bulgarian and Macedonian form of KATHERINE, and a variant Russian transcription of YEKATERINA.” (source http://www.behindthename.com/name/ekaterina)
Hermitage Horses
Hermitage Horses. “The Hermitage is comprised of two big sections – the Winter Palace, which was the living apartments and state rooms for the Russian imperial family, and the “Hermitage,” rooms built for the art collections. Catherine the Great knew that good art reflected well on the Russian monarchy, so she collected big time, especially paintings of Western Europe. In the Hermitage, kids will see so many fabulous paintings in the original.” (source https://www.travelforkids.com/Funtodo/Russia/hermitagemuseum.htm)
Our marriage in Russia
Our marriage in Russia is official. It might sound funny to anyone who has never come face to face with Russian burocracy. Marriage in Russia is one of the easiest things to accomplish. But only a state marriage is considered official. Here we are throwing snow up in the air in Leningrad – Saint Petersburg to prove it!
Sandy Dune
A sandy dune is a hill of loose sand built by wind or the flow of water. Dunes occur in different shapes and sizes. – (source Wikipedia)
Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin
Construction of the stone Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin began in 1500 with the building of the Ivanovo Tower; the main work commenced in 1508 and by 1515 a grandiose building was completed. The oak walls that formed the old fortifications were destroyed by a huge fire in 1513. (source Wikipedia)
Finnish Sauna
“The Finnish sauna is a substantial part of Finnish culture. There are five million inhabitants and over three million saunas in Finland – an average of one per household. For Finnish people the sauna is a place to relax with friends and family, and a place for physical and mental relaxation as well. Finns think of saunas not as a luxury, but as a necessity. Before the rise of public health care and nursery facilities, almost all Finnish mothers gave birth in saunas.” (source Wikipedia)
koryushka fish
The body of the koryushka fish (European smelt) is typically 15 to 18 cm long, slender and slightly flattened on either side. Larger fish may reach 30 cm in length. Smelts have a slightly translucent body. The back and sides are grey-green to pink in colour, the flanks bright silver. The tailfin has a dark border. The smelt lives for up to six years. One characteristic is its intense smell, reminiscent of fresh cucumbers. (source Wikipedia)
Hammock in Fiji
This Hammock in Fiji was just outside the beach front bungalow I lived in for 11 days in 2011.
Italian Facades
It’s hard to get bored of Italian Facades.
Russian Carrots
Russian Carrots are one of the worlds healthiest foods. There’s some truth that carrots are good for your eyes. (Ok – I’m not web MD – but Yoast has instructed me to be more articulate.) Studies have shown carrots reduce the risk of lung cancer, breast cancer and colon cancer. Carrots are good for your eyes. Carrots are rich in beta-carotene. Enjoy a Russian Carrot Platter!
the shack across the path
This shack is across the dirt path from my wife’s Russian dacha. Started this painting using sketching fundamentals. Then with auto painting in painter 2017, oily blender, born bristles and soft glazing. After the auto painting I overlayed the freehand sketching fundamental. Hmm like oil and water. My freehand sketching fundamental does not match the cloned auto painting. But so much fun, Ill take it!
Barn
Barn
Snowy wood barns
Snowy wood barns are in a secret spot somewhere where no one can find. I have looked and have never found these snowy wood barns. Painted from a dream.
Imaginary winter-scape
Imaginary winter-scape was painted following along closely with a video tutorial by Karen Bonaker of the Digital Art Academy. It is hard for me to follow instructions without wandering off on some tangent. Im very excited about this new technique Karen is showing us in Painter 2017.
more dacha flowers
Every where one looks there are more dacha flowers. Every corner of this tiny piece of land explodes with beauty every July. Every other corner is crammed with fresh growing scallions, carrots, tomato’s and potatoes. This is great spot to eat fresh salads every day. This place with more dacha flowers is a great spot on this planet.
