Sunday, November 14, 2010

Manzanitias


Sometimes we overlook what is right in front of us on a daily bases or we see what is there and move along to something that may appear to be something grand.  Today I was getting my oil paints ready to paint and I looked out of my studio window at this Manzanitias shrubby bush.  The light was just right making shadows and a bit of shimmer from the sun.  I have seen this Manzanitias bush for years as I look out from the studio.  Today, it was right there and became my model for the day.  Manzanitias grow profusely in the foothills and the deer do not think much of them leaving them to  grow and blossom.  They are also a great wildlife plant providing nectar for butterflies and humming birds.  Seeing what was right there made for, "A Painting Day".

"Manzanitias"-4x4-inches, oil/canvas by Ruth Andre
www.ruthandre.com
andre@ruthandre.com

8 comments:

Pamela Zimmerman said...

isn't that the truth? you just never know when something perfectly ordinary, something you see every day, but never pay much attention to, can change in your perspective. What a lovely painting you have made from what many people think of as "scrub." You have a wonderful perspective on the world, Ruth. Thank you for sharing it with us!

Anonymous said...

Ruth, it's all about perspective , isn't it? Lovely "regular old bush".

Theresa Paden said...

Lovely painting of the Manzanita bush. I didn't realize that hummers like them. I'll have to see if they grow down here in so. CA, too! It was so fun to finally meet you in person on Saturday in Folsom!

Karen Bruson said...

Love your strokes of color in the foreground.

Jan Yates, SCA, Canada said...

Such presence for a wee canvas!
*am also quite enamoured with your 'texas girl' below--her haunting expression makes her the 'mona lisa' of cow portraits!

shirley fachilla said...

Such a lovely little painting. Isn't it marvelous to suddenly see the beauty of something seen a hundred times before! And you made it into a painting so everyone else can see the beauty, too.

Kerri Settle said...

This is such a treat. What a statement for such a small size! Love those touches of blue green in the foreground.

Stephanie Berry said...

So nice. Like your brushwork and the simplicity of this one.