Wednesday 19 February 2014

Flowers and Wildlife


Begonia in Blue and White Pot
Acrylic on board 15cm x 15cm

Not long ago this beautiful begonia was the first thing to greet people that came through our front door. I took some photos for art reference while it was in its prime as I knew I wouldn't get a chance to paint it from life for a while. Lucky I did, as the poor thing has since gone to meet its maker and is probably having a good old whinge about me with all the other begonias that have suffered a similar fate at my hands. 

I began painting this yesterday but downed tools when we heard there was an unusual visitor at one of the suburban beaches. The girls and I whipped down to Sorrento Beach to goggle at a giant Elephant seal that had hauled itself out of the sea and was enjoying a bit of R & R. It was a monster, I couldn't believe how huge it was - apparently around 2,000kgs and still just a teenager. It is a very rare occurrence to see them this far from home as it has come all the way from Antarctica. It must have been feeling the heat - 37 Celsius. I took a couple of snaps but it was hard to get a good view of it's head as there were a lot of other spectators there too along with news crews. 




Unlike Elephant seals, something that I do commonly see when I walk along the beach are stingrays gliding through the shallows but unfortunately I haven't seen them on the days when I've taken my camera. They are such beautiful creatures.
Another wildlife treat I had recently was when my husband and I were celebrating our 24th wedding anniversary at a restaurant on the river called Mosmans. I was impressed to see how healthy the Swan River is looking these days - the water is crystal clear. To our delight a black swan and its two cygnets swam right past us. Black swans are native to Australia and our river was named after these black beauties.


Look at how clear the water is!




Oh yes, check out my latest Banksia Lane Press post if you want to see more of Western Australia.
                           

40 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness! I really did think that was an elephant lying there, before I read that it was a seal of sorts. Wow! That would be an amazing thing to see!!!! I also like the pelican bird sitting on the wharf. That would be a wonderful painting, as well as a beautiful photo. Your begonia piece is delightful, and such a welcome reminder that spring will eventually come to the US... I think...

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    1. Hi Katherine, thanks for all your lovely comments! Yes, I do hope to paint that pelican sometime. They are amazing birds. We've had lots of interesting wildlife to see lately. I hope you begin to get some lovely spring days soon - sounds like you've all been through a pretty gruelling winter over there this year.

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  2. lovely painting of the begonia Wendy! I chuckle, because it's my way with plants too... best to take photos when they're at their best otherwise by the time I do get around to painting, they often have croaked...ha . That is so exciting to see that elephant seal!! how amazing.

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    1. Thanks so much Sally, I am very guilty of being distracted with my creative stuff lately and have neglected my poor plants, I actually have it in me to be rather green fingered so it's a poor effort! I do find it hard to keep this type of begonia going for long indoors though. You have been wonderfully prolific of late!

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  3. Love the way you have done the doilie? The blue pot too. Amazing to see that giant on the beach, hope he is Ok

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    1. Thanks Lorraine, yes, the seal was perfectly fine. It apparently just needed a rest which it managed to get despite the steady crowds coming to look at it. It has since departed and hauled up at another beach a few hours south of here for a similar rest.

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  4. Gorgeous begonia Wendy. Love the close up composition. Your fingers sound as green as mine... lol ;-)

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    1. Thanks Laura! Yes, my indoor plants don't live long illustrious lives in the main. My outdoor plants are usually a bit luckier. I's impressed at how prolific you've been of late with your paintings!

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  5. Your painting is beautiful , really love that vase ! What a gorgeous wild life you have down under, I would love to see a sting ray , but finding an Elephant seal on the beach isn't bad either !

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    1. Thanks Jane! I'm hoping to get a photo of a stingray to show you! The elephant seal was mind blowing - so huge! It must have been a real shock to the first person that saw it there.

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  6. Beautiful painting, Wendy! I loved seeing your photos, too. Great post!

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    1. Thanks so much Darla! I enjoy your lovely distinctive paintings!

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  7. Wendy, beautiful painting of the begonias! Glad you took photos so that they will last a little longer. It is funny that you posted photos of the wildlife near you. I just came back from seeing my niece who is visiting the USA from the Perth area. We were discussing all the interesting creatures she's seen in the 2 + years that she's been there.

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    1. Hi Joan, thanks for your kind comments. I find it pays to get photos while things are still alive and kicking - particularly indoor plants. How lovely for you to have had your niece visiting. It sounds like she's enjoying her life over here?

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  8. Dear Wendy - lovely begonia - enjoyed seeing your huge seal too. So glad you got some photos to share. Thank you for taking time to visit me at my blog...you are having summer while we are in the midst of winter...so nice to see that warmer weather. I will certainly be stopping back again real soon. Take care and have a lovely week-end.

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    1. Thanks for visiting Debbie! I'm glad you enjoyed seeing our summery scenes. Blogs are such a great way of getting an insight into people's lives on the other side of the planet. I hope the spring weather arrives soon for you!

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  9. Thank you for visiting my blog and 'following along. Your painting is very pretty. i am a hopeless artist :) Stick figures are my strong point. I admire all those you have a talent with the brush. Your blog looks very interesting.

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    1. Thanks Loree, I love both of your blogs! You create beautiful art with your photography and words. I love seeing Malta through your eyes - such a beautiful part of the world!

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  10. Really nice post, Wendy! Congratulations with your 24th wedding anniversary. I hope you had a great time. Love the Begonia, we have them here as a indoor plant too. The photo's of the elephant seal are great, hopefully it returned to sea. Looking forward to your new painting!

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    1. Thanks so much Hilje! Yes the seal returned to sea once it had enjoyed a rest and the adoration of hordes of people. I love these tuberous begonias but this one didn't like the position I had it in - there wasn't enough light I'm afraid.
      I love your latest work in progress!

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  11. Terrific job on the painting Wendy, I love the combination of colors! The water is so inviting and you have incredible wildlife nearby! Its easy to understand why an Elephant seal would enjoy a rest on your beach! Congratulations on your anniversary too. :-)

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    1. Thanks so much Celia, I realised when I finished the painting that there appears to be a blank spot amongst the flowers; it was supposed to be part of the mirror but it doesn't look like it.
      We were sorry to hear of the seal's departure as I was intending to go for another visit.
      Happy painting!

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  12. Hello Wendy! Must love beautiful begonias! So very nice. Love the colors! Great job on the blue plant container! Also wow on the doilies! The wood on the table also came out very well.
    Thank you so much for the tour of wonderful Perth area! Love seeing the Elephant Seal! Wow! Huge! I hope the seal was able to get back into the ocean! What a wonderful sight to behold in person! I bet everyone was thrilled! The children must have been over the top with excitement! I know I would have been! Plus it looks so nice and warm. We are in the single digit temperatures. Another snow storm coming Monday! As much as I love snow I hope we don't get this storm because I may not be able to get to Boson for my art class. I also love visiting Banksia Lane Press. Great photos of Western Australia! Thanks for a very interesting peek "Down Under" mate!
    Oh, I almost forgot, Happy Anniversary! Stingrays and Black Swans Rock!
    Your Elephant Seal Loving Buddy!
    Michael

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  13. Hi Michael,
    Thanks for all your lovely comments! You will be pleased to hear that the elephant seal swam away happily after enjoying his rock star status here for a few days. There was traffic chaos like never before around Sorrento beach as it seemed most of Perth's 1.8 million residents wanted to see it. It later visited a beach a few hours south of Perth for a while where it was also admired by all. You can see a bit of footage of it here at Sorrento http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/21584300/two-tonne-elephant-seal-draws-perth-crowds/

    I hope your storm didn't eventuate and that you were able to attend your art class. Are you looking forward to spring yet? We're having a hot stretch at the moment but overall I've found this summer much better than the last two.
    Happy painting! I'm looking forward to seeing your second trolley painting!
    Oh yes, I've been taking my camera with me on my walks some days to try to get a photo of a stingray to post!
    Your art cobber
    Wendy

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    1. G'Day Mate! Hi Wendy! This is your USA art buddy Michael! Do you remember me? I am so sorry I am so late in answering your questions! Not sure what I have been doing that has kept me so busy! Sometimes these days morph into one another and I don't know where the time passes. Luckily I keep a journal and that helps me to go back and read what I actually have been doing!
      Spring is trying to spring up here in New England. Another snow storm coming Wednesday!!! Usually these spring storms are quick, not much snow, and whatever snow does pile up usually melts quickly! Many of my friends and family aren't always thrilled knowing how much I love the snow and winter. So at times I have to tone my excitement down a bit!
      Glad your summer is going well! I am eagerly awaiting a stingray photo! Be careful!
      I will be posting some signs of spring on my blog later. Hard to find many though! The birds singing all morning are the first and noisiest signs so far. I recorded a male cardinal this morning on my i phone. Maybe I will try to post that.
      So my Perth Area Cobber take care and please accept my apologies for not getting back sooner. Oh, how about a new painting by you! Hint! Hint!
      Spring is trying art cobber!
      Michael

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    2. So nice to hear your spring update Michael! I'd love to see the red cardinal photo - I can never see enough of them.
      Yes, I've been very re-miss on the painting front. I have been writing obsessively though. I hope to do a post very soon just to prove I am still alive but it may be of others' creative works rather than my own.
      Love your latest post!
      Your guilty-of-not-painting-often-enough art buddy,
      Wendy

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  14. Beautiful begonia painting. I am a plant killer myself. How fortunate we are to be able to immortalize anything we want! Wonderful pics!

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  15. Thanks Kaethe! Yes you are quite right! it is great to be able to capture things for posterity - even poor, long suffering begonias!
    Love your latest work!!

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  16. Thank you for visiting my blog and leaving an encouraging comment, it is much appreciated.
    This Begonia painting reminds me of the artist Fairfield Porter. It has such distinct shapes of color, and a strong design!

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  17. You are very kind to say so Maria! Thanks for visiting! I love your work!

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  18. Lovely painting - I think your design is really eye catching and the way you have painted the flowers and white doily, along with the pattern on the pot, is fabulous.
    The photos and story caught my attention and I enjoyed the link you passed on in one of the comments. Neat stuff!

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  19. Thanks so much for your lovely comments Julie! I'm glad you enjoyed the seal story!
    I'm in awe of the beautiful work you are doing!

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  20. Beautiful painting and I love reading your posts. There is so much to be positive about.

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  21. Yes, you are right Robin and thanks so much for your comments!

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  22. Great white pelican, Wendy! We have flocks of them here in Florida. The brown pelicans dive for their food... the white pelicans "herd" the fish towards the shore to trap them. We're both lucky to live in such gorgeous places!

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    1. Yes, we are lucky Diane. I hadn't realised that there were different types of pelicans - hadn't heard of brown ones before. Just Googled them and it seems the Australian and American white pelicans are different to each other as well. Love your bird paintings!

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  23. Hi Wendy ! Love the painting and composition ..... The rest of your post was just as enjoyable. Great photos of sea and wildlife.
    Congratulation on your 25th wedding anniversary!!! :-D

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    1. Thanks so much Helen! Little did the seal know how entertaining he was - and to so many.

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  24. Hola amiga, muy bonita pintura, me llama la atención la foca elefante, pobre.Feliz finde. Besitosss.

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  25. Thanks so much Carmen! I hope you enjoy the weekend too!

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