I just completed a sweet stacked double piece-the first from my RIVER Series. Fry, or baby trout, were what caught my interest on our last river float. I love the way they really do look like a  little school of fish kids! And of course, damselflies, or dragonflies are always a fun little creature to paint. I used gold leaf to layer the fry--it reflects like true fish scales-especially in the dusk or dawn light in a room. It gives a piece a deep, shimmery patina. These two pieces have a lot of interesting textural feel to them. I painted them from an overhead view, as if looking into the river water at them using acrylics, birch support and glazed.

What a fun afternoon! My daughter and I made a triple batch of Lavender Lemon jelly.  She is visiting from Oregon. Whit is really talented at canning, so I wait till she is here to attempt this kind of kitchen feat.  I need her guidance! We made a similar batch from a recipe last summer. We liked it so much we made it again--so this is our our second annual. And this batch is even better. A new  summer tradition for us!  

My daughter is such a delight to spend time with-this delightful jelly will remind me of her and how much I enjoy her companionship each time I indulge. Love her!!!

Our neighbors behind us have planned a marriage ceremony, just the two of them, in a few days in Anaconda, Montana. Deb is a diehard flower gardener so I thought the perfect gift for them would be flowers from their garden to wear for their wedding. Their yard, ponds  and garden are truly show-stopping! There was not a lot blooming this late in the summer, so it was miniature red rose corsage and boutinnere for them! I thought the evergreen for greenery and grass would hold up well, as the pieces would be kept in a cooler for a few days before the ceremony. I wrapped the stems of both in copper tape as a nod to the copper days of the Butte-Anaconda area. I took them over with a bottle of wine and chocolate--Cheers!

A good day. A good read.

Over the years I've refined my 'gold leaf' pieces. The artwork are real leaves embedded in gesso, coated in red acrylic and covered in gold leaf. They are then layered with a patina of acrylic washes and glazed. Our friend's daughter was married last week, so I plucked a few leaves from her wedding bouquet (while they were dancing!) and pressed them for a few days in a heavy book. I created a keepsake piece of art for the newlyweds from the wedding bouquet. I love the thought of the leaves being a true memory of the special occasion. And not a reason to forget the anniversary date!

Below are the steps.