A different view

This past year, like many of you, I have been painting my immediate surroundings again and again. And even though it’s nice to get to know your own neighbourhood, sometimes one longs for a different view. Last weekend we were invited to visit friends who have a beautiful lakeside house and garden. The garden is so lush and filled with every sort of perennial you can imagine, but I started by sketching the white birches. I’m always drawn to the subtle colour changes from the shady to the sunny side of these trees.

I also spent some time sketching the shed that’s tucked way back behind the garden. If you look really closely you might even see a wheelbarrow in there somewhere.


21 Comments on “A different view”

  1. Carol says:

    lovely Shari . Have such a soft spot for little cottages or sheds. Thanks for sharing.

  2. Shari,
    This past year I’ve really enjoyed seeing the watercolor sketches in your blog. They brighten my day as well as giving me inspiration to paint my neighborhood!

  3. susie langley says:

    Love the little shed.

  4. Cindy Wahlstrom says:

    These are so lovely! My favorite kind of views.

  5. TonyU says:

    Lovely sketches of a beautiful garden. and sounds like a great weekend. Couldn’t spot a wheelbarrow but love the barbecue!

  6. Bernadette says:

    Both works are gorgeous! I especially like the fresh clean washes. I too often get muddy due to overworking. Lately my good friends tell me when to STOP! I couldn’t find the wheelbarrow either even after putting on glasses. Where or where is it, left or right? Give us a clue please.
    Thanks as always, to continue to inspire me and countless others to get out and paint.

    • Bernadette, I’m afraid my hidden wheelbarrow is so subtle no one managed to see it. It’s in the sheltered area on the left. Just a tiny oval!

      • Bernadette says:

        I would have guessed it was on the right side behind the grill. Even knowing now that it is on the left, I can’t seem to figure that out!
        No matter….it’s a great painting.The colors and transparency are wonderful. It’s a happy painting.

  7. Northern Traveller says:

    Lovely paintings Shari.
    This looks like a well loved & cherished spot. Nice composition on the birches 😊.

  8. Jane says:

    Wonderful paintings, as usual. I’ve signed up for the Madeline Island workshop and am looking forward to meeting you and the other artists!

    • Jane, that is wonderful. I am so excited for the workshop, to see old friends and make new ones. And of course to be sketching in that beautiful location!! See you in less than a month!

  9. Theresa says:

    Is the wheelbarrow in the shadow to the right of the BBQ, or is this a trick question to make us look very closely Shari? I don’t see it anywhere else.
    Thank you for sharing your lovely work

    • Hi Theresa, The wheelbarrow is on the left under the shorter roof, in the storage area. I don’t think it’s very obvious, but it’s there. I really had trouble scanning this so I think it gets lost in all the browns!! Thanks for trying to find it!!

  10. Nice paintings, it looks like a very lush garden!!


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