Earthen Energy, Ninebark and Red-winged Blackbirds

Earthen Energy - 12" X 12"

Here is another of the paintings that is in my current show at Trails End Gallery. This one developed on a solid chunk of plywood and has the drips on the edges in tact. Normally, I create pieces that are waxed only to the sides for safety reasons (so a chip on the edge won't tear up into the picture) but on this one, the painting was such that it demanded to have the most primitive and powerful feel I could give it and so the wax is built up over the edges as well. This would be a painting that could be hung without a frame or placed in a float frame so edges ,protected by the frame also show as an integral part of the piece. I like this one too - very visceral! Available for sale!

This week at home has been filled with discovering the native plants that I have now blooming in my shrub border. A favorite and very vigorous plant is the Western Ninebark. I planted it in my wild border and it looks quite at home with Red-Twigged Dogwoods, Rhododendrons, Maple trees, Escallonia and ferns. 7-Dee's in Seaside carries a really nice selection of native plants and I have found that in my windy, sometimes salty misty, rather extreme environment on the coast, I sometimes have to resort to the natives to find the plants that are adapted enough to withstand and thrive in the elements. Here is a picture of the Western Ninebark in bloom - tidy white little puffballs at the tips of the branchlets. Another telltale sign is a striped, deep carmel and tan bark seen best in winter that adds a lot of interest to an otherwise stark landscape during that time of year.

Western Ninebark

Also, for those of you with deer problem, I believe the Western Ninebark is somewhat unattractive to deer and in any case is vigorous and fast growing so is a great plant to consider adding if you have the space - allow at least 6-10' spread. I do have mine more tightly packed as I want a very dense look. Mary comes to help me weed every week now during the summer and I enjoy all the shrubbery up close and personal through her eyes.

Red-winged Blackbird

And another great thing has happened out bay side! After I got my pots finished and set on my deck I knew it was time to set out my spring (yes spring really, not summer) feeders for the hummingbirds, and the thistle feeders for the goldfinches to tide them both over until the flowers and seeds they like to feed on become abundant.

As soon as I set them out we were just flocked by those birds getting sustenance. Since this early time is also their nesting time and summer appears to be very late, I like to think my early feeding station helps provide them with what they need to stay strong themselves and also get their nests and fledglings off to a good start.

On our site by Willipa Bay, I tend to taper down my feeding towards the end of summer so the birds won't be tempted to delay their fall migrations and also to keep bears from getting interested in our garden for goodies. This year, I had some left over suet balls from previous seasons in my freezer. They not only contain suet but also mixed seeds including black sunflower seeds, millet as well as peanut butter. I decided to use them up early and see what other birds might be interested and tho it took a few days for the red-winged Blackbirds from the Willipa Bay fringe area to find it, we now have several to many of these birds hitting on the suet balls. It is such a joy to see these birds up close and to hear their song nearby.

Today as I weeded my nearby Dahlia and Gladiola bed and Strawberry patch, it was a joy to see these birds along with the many many barn swallows zipping around. It's hard to feel like you need extra music when there are so many creatures singing around you. I haven't actually seeded up my garden beds this summer. The weather has been so cold and wet and punk here on the coast that I felt there wouldn't be enough heat to get a crop of anything here. However I did decide I'd plant some crops this year in my new service area raised bed which is in a protected location on the south side against the house. If anything actually thrives it will be there. I already have some raspberries growing there and I did put in 3 cherry tomato plants but I will seed out corn, summer and winter squash, bush beans, carrots and another crop of spinach and lettuce.

And then back to painting after a brief rest. I have an entry to paint to submit next week, for the International Encaustic Show this year in San Antonia Texas in September and I promised myself I would paint some smaller pieces and submit these to a local gallery for sale and I have a 6" X 6" to paint for the local heritage museum for a fundraiser. All good! Happy painting!