Watercolors

The bristlecone pine shown in the first watercolor below (in bonsai form) is the oldest living tree on earth. Some of them are over 4600 years old. To me they have an inherent beauty in their incredible gnarled, weathered, and colorful wood. I had the good fortune to see and photograph some of these trees in the High Sierras with my dear departed friend Gary. A bristlecone pine as a bonsai makes perfect sense as they grow so slowly.

Tulips: colorful messengers of spring. I still dream of seeing the famous endless fields of color in Holland or in Washington State. Several cities in the US have recently adopted “Tulip Day” from Europe. What a lovely way to bring happiness to people by giving out tulips.

The orange sulphur and the gray hairstreak butterflies: the creator with his most gentle touch.

Statice which is also know as California sea lavender can be found in marshes and sandy soils along the coast.

When a ladybug also known as a lady beetle in scientific terms lands on you what can you do but smile? Then I always have to think about a book I read to my sons when they were kids that had a grouchy ladybug with an attitude problem as the main character, but who learned a lesson in life by the end of the story. My sons loved the story and pictures as did I. May a ladybug land on you and make you happy.