Orchid Isle

I live on the "Orchid Isle". At least that's what the tourism authority says. To tell you the truth, there are only three native orchids in Hawaii and all of them are pretty rare and not very showy. So, I suspect we're called that because orchids from all over the world grow really well here.

I was feeling a bit nostalgic tonight. This type of cymbidium flowers grew in the front lawn of a house I rented in Volcano and they always take me back to a simple time. What better medium to capture their simplicity than a plain ole pencil.

More cymbidiums here.

More images from IL

Splat!!!

... a smidgen of images from my trip to Illinois. There was so much to see and do that I wish I lived there! More photos and drawings can be found on Potluck Sunday and on Kate Rietz's blog.

Day 18 of 21: Tropical paradise

Inspiration sometimes comes from weird places. When I was at a meeting at Harold L. Lyon Arboretum in Manoa Valley this past week, I happened to find this tiny vase of beautiful tropical flowers in the bathroom. I thought it was such a lovely touch that the garden staff would decorate the bathroom with pretty flowers from the grounds of the arboretum. So, I had to rush off and find my camera. I can not tell you how many funny looks I got when I grabbed my camera and rushed off to the bathroom. Goodness knows what they were thinking!

Colorful explosion

I bought a bouquet of flowers from Volcano this weekend ... a massive bunch of assorted dahlias. These are a few. Whenever I look at these, I can't help but smile. Ever notice that flowers have a way of making a blue-y kinda of day a very bright one? I believe they're God's aspirin!

Bougainvillea (EDM #76 - Flowers)

This bougainvillea is the most tenacious pest in my yard. It is the ultimate weed: it grow inches by the day (well, that's what it seems to me), it has a root system that grows in rock so it grows just about anywhere, it has thorns that grab me as I walk by, no amount of cutting or herbicide has killed the plant ... and it is so beautiful, I feel a pang of guilt every time I cut it back. So I decided if I can't kill it, I'll draw it!

From the garden

A quick painting of flowers that grow near my mailbox. These white flowers are the last thing I see as I pull out of my driveway each morning.