Camelias are early bloomers along with daffodils and tulips at Filoli Gardens in Woodside, California...this is Spring! (Taken March 5th, 2026)
No matter where we live, winter has its effect on us. Plants lose their leaves, their vibrant color disappears and they basically hibernate. Days and daylight are shorter. Most of us stay inside more, wear heavier clothing and eat heavier foods. Then this phenomenon called Spring ( more sunlight? a few warm days?) awakens via a secret message to the world to wake up and rejuvenate. You can do the same.... get out and walk, go to a graden or nursery, trim the winterkill and plant some fresh shapes. Watch the subtle displays of color emerge all around you as the earth renews itself. And while you are at it, it's the perfect time to rejuvenate your paintings, Get busy!
I suggest uou start by taking a good look at your space and supplies. Clean and assess your brushes ( do you need a new one or two? Escoda has some well made keepers at a reasonable price) and studio area. Throw out the old paints and replace them BUT buy a few new colors too. I recommend the transparents and have added Winsor Newton's Aurelian to my tray of 18 favorites. It's warmth is unmistakeable. Do the same with your available watercolor paper. Try a new brand or size. I recently tried a less expensive paper by New York Central. It is not as coarse as higher quality Arches or Fabriano offers but it has a sturdy weight and allows a lot of lifting. It's perfect for your starts and may surprise you.
I bought a light for my drafting table that offers 3 colors to warm or cool the scenes. I love the ability to reposition it and actually see the colors better. And, because i teach in my studio several times annually, I bought some better chairs that are on rollers. I think these were much needed updates. But...do you need some instruction? Take a class in person or online.Wake up your craetivity with some gouache or inks.
I also have a new method of titling my completed paintings as well. It's called "New Meanings" and here is one of them (shown unfinished) called " Pathology" (noun) def: the act of taking a path to refresh the body, mind and soul; a little play on words.
So, back to the camelias. Yes, they have inspired me! I am starting small but I am picturing these as much larger than life and it is awakening that little bud in me. Shown at 40-50%.
Wake up!! It's Spring.
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