Wednesday, 9 December 2015

Flowering Cactus

 
Acrylic on board 15cm x 15cm (6" x 6")
 
It was great to hit the paintbrushes again!
 
 
Each time I attend something interesting I mean to blog about it in detail, but I've fallen very behind with my blogging lately. So I hope you don't get too bored while I catch up all at once by posting photos of some of my recent outings. 
 
There have been so many festivals to attend and things of interest to do with the advent of the warmer weather. I enjoyed the Groat St Festival in late October - an event that promotes sustainable community living.



 
 
The lovely Eco-Faerie Sarah of Handmade Wonderland.



 
 
 I visited the Western Australian Herbarium mid November with the Wildflower Society and was absolutely boggled to find myself face to face with an actual specimen that the great Sir Joseph Banks himself had collected on Cook's first voyage of discovery in 1770. It was right there! I could have touched it! But I didn't.



 
 The Herbarium gathers and documents Western Australia's botanical species diversity. We saw many interesting specimens which even included lichen and seaweed.

 
 All kept safely in temperature controlled filing systems.

 
I was so pleased to see that one of the vaults had been named after my heroine Georgiana Molloy.
 
 
Sally kindly brought along some of her stunning home-grown verticordia flowers to grace their front reception.

 
On the drive home my friend Corinne and I oohed and aahed over the gorgeous Jacaranda trees in full bloom that line many of the streets in the older suburbs.


 
We also drove off course to investigate what was left of an old market garden area that had long been marooned amongst suburbia. Inevitably it too has now succumbed to "progress".
This little pioneer homestead now sits alone in a sea of new blocks that are ready to be built upon.
 
 
A few weeks back I went with friends to the Artist Open House Fremantle event. We walked through the streets of South Fremantle from house to house where many artists were exhibiting. So much great art and architecture. The murals below made me think of Sami who blogs about Perth and features murals on Mondays - you can check out her great blog here 
 






 
Last week I accompanied my mum to the HBF pioneer's garden party in the grounds of Government House.
 
 
Government House was built in 1863 and sits quietly in it's lovely 3.2 hectare surrounds while the city centre grows ever bigger and bustle-ier around it.
 

 
I was thrilled when American art blogging buddy Michael Perchard sent through a photo his nephew took of him reading my book in Boston on Thanksgiving! You can check out Michael's great blog by clicking here

 
I hope everyone's having a great week and I hope to visit all my favourite blogs very soon!

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36 comments:

  1. Unknown9 December 2015 at 09:53

    oh my gooses these jacaranda trees are spectacular arent they?! I miss seeing them. Your painting of the flowering cactus is STUNNING Wendy. Loved all the photos and ambling through them, thanks for sharing.

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    1. Wendy Barrett10 December 2015 at 01:58

      Haha, yes they are eye-popping Sally. They are indigenous to South America I believe but we in Australia have embraced them as our own. They have always graced the older suburbs in particular for as long as I can remember and the first sightings of festive purple blooms always brings on a lovely anticipation for the summer ahead.

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  2. Jenny Woolf9 December 2015 at 11:07

    I love your cactus specially. And I am so envious of the jacaranda trees. They are simply my favourite but they don't grow here in England. There's almost no tree I love to see as much against the blue sky.

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    1. Wendy Barrett10 December 2015 at 02:02

      Thanks so much Jenny! Yes, the Jacaranda is hard to beat, although they do have a rival here in Western Australia - the native Christmas tree (Nuytsia Floribunda) which is a fluorescent orange that practically burns out the retinas! I will endeavour to get a photo of one soon to post.

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  3. Margaret D9 December 2015 at 17:11

    Lovely cacti in flower you have painted.
    The blue trees in flower are beautiful..

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    1. Wendy Barrett10 December 2015 at 02:03

      Thanks so much Margaret! You are very kind.

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    2. Brett Kibblewhite10 December 2015 at 05:34

      Just outstanding Wendy. I very much enjoy reading about your artistic endeavours and adventures. Keep up the good work!

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  4. Celia Blanco10 December 2015 at 01:54

    Your flowering cactus is beautiful! I love the shadow and bits of pink gives it real interest. I also like the way you painted the needles.

    It is wonderful to catch up, I enjoy seeing your photos. The jacaranda trees are gorgeous,love the lavender color! Great photo of Michael while reading your book!!

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    1. Wendy Barrett11 December 2015 at 05:41

      Thanks so much Celia! I find it impossible to get fine points in acrylics so I was pleased that somehow I achieved the look of needles despite the sludginess.
      Yes, such a great photo of Michael!

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  5. Patricia10 December 2015 at 02:59

    What a gorgeous painting of a cactus - I love it, Wendy. You have been to some interesting and picturesque places lately - thank you for showing and sharing. Love a jacaranda!

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    1. Wendy Barrett11 December 2015 at 05:51

      Thanks Patricia! Yes, it's hard to beat a jacaranda in full bloom!

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  6. Jane10 December 2015 at 06:07

    Dear Wendy. Your flowering cactus is really beautiful and such an unusual subject , very well done ! Seems like you have had a lot of fun visiting many places...and those Jacaranda trees , wow, what a gorgeous sight ! xx

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    1. Wendy Barrett11 December 2015 at 05:53

      Thanks so much Jane! Yes, it has been a very enriching couple of months really. Love your latest portrait!

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  7. Deborah Nolan10 December 2015 at 07:37

    Oh my Wendy your post was wonderful. The flowering cactus painting is gorgeous. As for the Jacaranda trees my word would be beautiful. I have never seen this tree before. Assuming they only grow in Australia. Looks like you have been one busy lady. Hope you are getting in the Christmas spirit. Hugs!

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    1. Wendy Barrett12 December 2015 at 02:30

      Thanks so much Debbie, I'm glad you find the jacaranda so beautiful. They are native to central and south America apparently but are grown in many other places around the world in gardens and as street trees where the climate is right for them - like Australia. I'm not very organised for Christmas I must confess. I'm looking forward to the first pictures of red cardinals that you and others will be posting soon with Christmas around the corner. They epitomise the USA Christmassy image to me.

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  8. Laura10 December 2015 at 10:59

    Wow you have been busy. The jacaranda's look stunning, just like your lovely cactus painting. It is always nice to pop over here and find some warm sunshine as we, over here, move into our winter months. Enjoy your summer. xx

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    1. Wendy Barrett12 December 2015 at 02:32

      You are very kind Laura! Yes, we will certainly have more heat and sunshine than we'll know what to do with soon! But right now the days are not too hot and very pleasant indeed!

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  9. Karen Johnston Daily Paintings10 December 2015 at 12:50

    Love your flowering cactus...no easy task to paint one of them. You have done a wonderful job. I have only ever drawn one and that was hard enough! Those Jacaranda trees are beautiful, we have them here too.You are a great blogger Wendy, always lots to look at and read about:)

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    1. Wendy Barrett12 December 2015 at 02:34

      Thankyou Karen! I really appreciate your lovely comments. I have been wanting to attempt this cactus for the last couple of years but had been quite daunted. Glad I finally took it on!

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  10. Wildflowerhouse12 December 2015 at 11:36

    Oh I love the Jackaranda trees. Absolutely gorgeous. Looks like you have been having fun. So many events, Thanks for your well wishes. I am doing great now and believe me I am watching my step.

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    1. Wendy Barrett15 December 2015 at 05:36

      Thanks Sharon! Glad to hear you are doing great now!

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  11. Joan Tavolott12 December 2015 at 15:06

    Good job on the flowering cactus. Looks like you have been enjoying getting out to all kinds of functions. Great to see Michael sitting on the "stoop" reading your book!

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    1. Wendy Barrett15 December 2015 at 05:38

      Thanks Joan! I'm not getting out and about as much as you! I love seeing all the places you go to via your lovely sketches. Yes, it's a great photo of Michael!

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  12. Barbara Muir12 December 2015 at 22:26

    Great painting, and super wonderful blog. I love the trees and the botanical sample, and the amazing art on the buildings. Just as our country is going into winter (still no snow), you are taking off in spring/summer. Gorgeous. And a treat. I must get a shot of me reading your book sometime soon!

    XOXOXOXOXO

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    1. Wendy Barrett15 December 2015 at 06:21

      Thanks so much Barbara. After seeing that you had enjoyed reading "The Signature of all Things" I thought that you would appreciate seeing the specimen collected by Sir Joseph Banks - as he made an appearance in the story.
      I know, it is an ongoing fascination knowing that you northern hemisphereians (yes I made that word up!)will be freezing cold while we swelter in the heat.
      I would very much love it if you are able to send a photo through sometime.XOXO

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  13. Kaethe Bealer12 December 2015 at 22:52

    So great to read your post and think of my WA friend Wendy! Love your cactus painting! Thanks for the field trips!

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    1. Wendy Barrett15 December 2015 at 06:22

      Thanks so much Kaethe! Has your niece returned home now?

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  14. David Teter13 December 2015 at 12:48

    Hi Wendy. I forget sometimes that your summer is opposite our winter. There is talk we will be having a really wet rainy cold one this year. We certainly need the rain but we'll see.
    Looks like you are out and about enjoying the weather and back to painting. Nice composition in your cactus painting!
    Each time I see photos here I am reminded of our similar climates. We have plenty of jacaranda trees here. Beautiful but the blossoms are so sappy and messy!
    Keep painting...

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    1. Wendy Barrett15 December 2015 at 06:26

      Thanks David!
      I'm not surprised to hear that you have jacarandas in California what with our similar climates. I hope the weather predictions do come true for you over there as you must be heartily sick of the drought you have been suffering for so long. I've enjoyed seeing all your sketches of late.

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  15. juliefordoliver.blogspot.com15 December 2015 at 20:46

    I love your painting of the cactus. We have them here in N.M.
    The Jacarandas are stunning and we have them too.
    We must have similar climates, Wendy, only you have summer during our winter.
    I loved your comment on my post regarding the homogenization of art and culture.

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    1. Wendy Barrett16 December 2015 at 17:16

      Thanks so much Julie! Did you mean that these cactuses grow wild in New Mexico? I love the enormous big cactuses that you have over there that look like they're straight out of a cowboy movie. Would love to see them in their natural habitat some day. You have piqued my interest about the comparison of our climates. After a quick google it looks like our summers may be similar but I think you get much colder winters. We don't get any snow in Perth. Would love to visit your neck of the woods some day!

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    2. juliefordoliver.blogspot.com16 December 2015 at 20:09

      yes - they grow wild. We only have light snow which melts when the sun comes out. I live in the southern part of the state.
      Please come and visit. We have a gallery here in town which has an exchange show going on with artists from Queensland. I met two great Aussie artists. Adrienne Williams had work I loved.

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  16. Debra16 December 2015 at 05:43

    Hello Wendy! It's so nice to meet you! I love your art-and love the childhood art you have shown. I have a few things left from my childhood-but one memory of a great art teacher I had in the first grade. He was looking at a drawing I did of a rabbit with carrots around the edges of the paper, and said, "You're really good at design!" That was ages ago, and that memory has been so important to me in my art.
    I love seeing the herbarium things too-fascinating!
    ~Debra

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    1. Wendy Barrett16 December 2015 at 17:18

      Thanks so much Debra! How wonderful that your teacher's compliment has stayed with you all those years. I agree that sometimes these seemingly simple comments can have a great impact on one's life.
      I so enjoyed discovering your blog - you are very creative and entertaining!

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  17. Helen Cooper26 December 2015 at 14:44

    OMG Wendy I thought I had commented on this post...
    Love your cactus painting! The rest of you post, as usual, is so interesting with your pictures accompanying descriptions.
    Merry Christmas my friend and Happy New Year!

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  18. Dani Campoy31 December 2015 at 07:16

    Great art and very nice!

    Here is my blog, hope you like and follow it :D

    http://danicampoy.blogspot.com.es/

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