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Thursday, February 3, 2011

Painting a Vintage Bicycle


Welcome. I am so happy that you stopped by. My garden gate is always open for for you to come in and sit and relax with a cup of hot tea while I share with you the inspirations behind my art. Earlier this week we had very cold and windy weather in Southern California - nothing like the snow back in the other parts of the country but cold enough to stay inside. The wind stopped blowing and today is nice enough to sit in the garden for tea.

One of my friends brought me a little blooming Hydrangea plant from the market. It was such a breath of fresh air and reminded me of the Spring to come. She was telling me that her Mother has been "down in the dumps" lately - she lives in a one of the states hard hit by the snow and cold weather - loves Hydrangeas and lives in an adorable cottage. I decided to paint her a little surprise painting to cheer her up.

Let's join Bentley, my Studio Assistant, in the garden to look for inspirations.


Finding inspiration . . . . . .


I put a bucket of "faux" Hydrangeas in the garden for inspiration as my Hydrangeas are not blooming ) don't tell Bentley as he thinks he found the real thing.


Here . . . . .



This picture of my blue vintage bicycle was taken last year when the flowers were in bloom.



There . . . .







The hot house Hydrangea my friend brought me.



Everywhere . . . .




Photo was taken last year.






More of the hot house Hydrangea





" Come unto Me . . and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

I decided to paint my blue vintage bicycle and put Hydrangeas in the basket for my friend's Mother. I painted the word cottage with the thought in mind that she may want to hang it on the front door of her adorable cottage.











But, then, maybe she would rather have a basket of Hydrangeas painted on a Welcome sign that she can hang in the garden.





Or, maybe she would rather have a blue bicycle Welcome sign with a basket of Hydrangeas to hang on her picket fence.



What do you think? Which paintng would you give her? Maybe I should give them all to her and she can decide!!!!





Thank you for stopping by. I love hearing from you and sincerely appreciate your visits, comments and those of you who are following my blog. Please let me know if you have any questions or would like to see me paint something special.



Have a lovely week. Blessings, Erin

14 comments:

Terra said...

I vote for the sign with the blue bicycle and hydrangeas.

ornella said...

รจ davvero un'idea carinissima, un abbraccio Ornella

Janice said...

Oh, the paintings are all wonderful, and what a sweet, thoughtful gift you are giving. I could not decide which I liked best...maybe as you said, let her choose? :o)

Have a beautiful weekend!

Happy@Home said...

Everything about this post delighted me today. From the beautiful hydrangeas to your adorable assistant to your kind gesture of painting a picture to cheer up your friend's mother.
I think the blue bicycle with the hydrangeas brings it all together in a very cheery painting. It gets my vote. But then again, they are all lovely.

My Cozy Casita said...

Hi, llke the Welcome sign with a basket of Hydrangeas to hang on her picket fence.
I love all your art beautiful,I live to Southern California (Mission Viejo) I'm from Florida I love Orange and all the Antiques shops the Victorian-style neighborhoods.

XOX
Isora

Janet said...

I just LOVE your blue vintage bicycle! Of course, I also love hydraneas! SO inspiring!
Blessings,
Janet

The Country Nest said...

Love the basket with hygrangeas!

Sonia said...

Ahhh...I love hydrangeas and your cute vintage bicycle with fresh flowers is just perfection!! Thanks for sharing!

Miss Bloomers

Anonymous said...

Erin, all that blue in the first photo.....LOVE IT!!!
Hugs, Diane

Ruth Welter said...

Beautiful Erin, I love your bicycle painting. Really says "spring" to me.

Ruth

D. Jean Quarles said...

You've got me thinking spring. Thank you!

THE VERANDA HOUSE said...

DER ERIN I JUST LOVE YOUR VINTAGE BICYCLE WITH THE HYDRANGEAS..IS SO MUCH YOUR SELF.ALL YOUR PAINTINGS ARE BEAUTIFUL .I WILL TRASURE THE ONES THAT YOU PAINTED FOR ME FOR EVER. YOUR SOUL IS BEAUTIFUL....HUGS...SANDRA

Vicki Boster said...

Oh Erin - I love the bicycle paintings - all of them! I especially love the vintage bicycle tucked away inyour beautiful cottage garden. Fabulous my friend!

I admire you so much for showing us all the inspirations that lead you to paint your beautiful pictures. I know that Bently has such great taste - its all mostly his idea - right?

Vicki

Cynthia Mercer said...

Hydrangeas here in NJ were off the heazie this year, never had so many blooms or every color.
Come visit my new blog and Etsy shop The flowering Angel and sign up for my first Valentine giveaway.