Prickly pear blossoms

I am struggling with this one.  I still need to do lots of thread work on it, i.e., adding the thorns with a varigated yellow to brown thread.   I think I am going to just go forward even though I want to stop!

In this picture, I am also experimenting with using larger pieces of fabric instead of giblets.

Bluebonnet

I keep working with these blues.  I just love them.  For this 5x7 bluebonnet image, I chose to make my own mats and then wrap around stretcher boards to for an 8x10 gallery wrap.  I think it works!

Butterfly Roses

In Fredericksburg, the city has used the butterfly rose (Rosa Mutabilis) in many of the plantings, most notably at Markt Platz.  It is a beautiful antique type single rose which has 3 colors on one bush.  As the blossom ages it turns colors before shattering.  It is truly lovely.  Here is one of my photos of my rose bush.

This last week I did this 8x10 rendering of these roses.  

Adhamh, Julia, Duncan feeding the horse

Since my last post I have done the background for the picture that I started on the 5th.  It is 20x24.  I am now working on the horse ...  Here is my work to date.  Also, I am uploading the photo which I'm using as a model.  I love the line from Julia's head down to the apple then up the back of the horse!

So, the horse is so heavy and dark.  I'll post more when I get there!

New start

Yesterday was the day. You know the feeling when you can't work fast enough? I was so inspired when I began to select fabrics for the new picture, just so excited to see those colors! Brain working faster than poor hands could go. So, I have my sky laid in and will begin on the faraway part of the landscape today. This is good work.