Painting in the Park

Needing to get out and exercise, I thought how boring it would be to do the neighborhood loop... So I decided on a trip to the Oak Canyon Park and took my watercolors and sketchbbook. The morning air was cool, but I came upon a bench in the sun and sat down to try my hand in an attempt to capture the glorious beauty I found there.

I have a lot of room for improvement in my painting and photography, I know, but if I don't practice, well... I guess I wouldn't get anywhere. It was relaxing and even feels like a meditation session when I sit and look at the beauty and color of nature; that's mostly what I get out of it...


The flowers are blooming all over the place out there! Even the paddle cactus are starting to bloom.

Then I found some dried flowers on the trail that someone had picked and then abandoned, so I collected them up and tucked them in my sketchbook pages to be later drawn and painted.

The live poppys I saw were still in a shady spot, closed in their dormant shape. I think it's such a treat to observe a large patch of open poppys up close--such color!

While I was meandering along the trails, I also saw all kinds of wildlife. Birds, rabbits, squirrels, lizards, and butterflys and bees abound. Since this park is just a minute away, it's a great place to slip away for a hike and to find treasures hidden in the canyon between the neighborhoods of our hills. Getting out in the fresh air, getting some exercise, and appreciating God's awesome creations does a lot for the soul. Now I feel refreshed to continue with my busy day...