Feeling Blue

Is it possible to feel happiness and sadness at the same time? Or perhaps warm gratitude for acquaintanceship, yet sorrow at missing out on the future companionship of someone? You know the saying, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade."

I prefer the thought of a friendship as a garden, being cultivated with time, growing, blossoming....yet knowing that winter will come, when everything must rest. Looking back on the summer is a special kind of daydream. I am warm with reminiscing. I think one of my favorite gardeners would agree that life gives us challenges as gardens give us weeds. I admire the way she dealt with them.

"Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them." -A.A.Milne

The jam that wasn't there

Original Watercolor by Michele Cooper
Size: 10"x8"
Price: $100

We like it. A lot. Look at it in the light!
Here's what's left of our apricot preserves after Sunday morning breakfast.


Here's the set up in my studio. I needed to get the eye level and light from the window just right, so I stacked up some things until it worked.

Ink line drawing of jar

Here's my contour drawing of the jar. I have a few indications of highlights and apricot preserves, but would rather save the rest of the shapes and use the watercolor wash for some soft, diffused edges.

No preliminary pencil lines were used on the jar. I just started at the lower right edge of the jar with my Micron #.01 pen on Arches 140# CP watercolor paper. Size 8x10"

Another angle

Watercolor Florals in a Glass Container

"Garden Flowers in Glass Jar"
Original Watercolor by Michele Cooper
Size 15"x11"      Price: $200

Sometimes you just have to put down the gardening tools and pick up your brushes!
And eat the last of the pickles so you'll have a jar to hold the flowers.