Hydrangeascopyright Jeanette Jobson
September in Newfoundland is when gardens are at their best. Even with the awful summer we had this year, nature still puts its efforts into the end of the season with a burst of colour, fruit and flowers.
I spent some time wandering in the garden and fields taking photos of some things that caught my eye and played around with them, experimenting with shape and colour for future drawings or paintings.
Hydrangeas on the bush outside the back door are so plentiful this year, there are more blossoms than leaves it seems. I toyed with filters as I was trying to make sense of colours and values in this piece for a painting. I liked the muted effect of the fence and trees with the vivid yellows of fall leaves through the trees of the woods. Pastels or coloured pencils might be good to tackle this with.
Hopscopyright Jeanette Jobson
Several years ago I planted hops to grow up over a fence near the house. This year they took off and covered the fence and are now threatening to take over the house as well. I love the shape of the hops and also use them as medicinal herbs. They are a wonderful relaxant and aid to sleep - both of which I am in need of lately!
Behind one of the greenhouses, stuck down behind a compost bin is an old birdhouse. Its weatherbeaten now but still serves the purpose should a bird decide to take up residence next spring or find some shelter during a storm.
Rosehipscopyright Jeanette Jobson
Not too far from this are a huge mound of old fashioned shrub roses. Pink and white, they are covered in flowers for a short time in July and August then form huge fat rosehips that feed the birds and squirrels in winter after I've had my share to harvest for medicinal use. Rosehips are very high in Vitamin C - one cup of fresh rose hips has the equivalent amount of vitamin C in 60 oranges.
Rose hip oil is also renowned for its benefits for the skin, having multiple benefits and I use it in creating skin care creams, especially for more mature skin.
5 comments:
Hi Jeanette,
Your hydrangea photo looks like a very intriguing and challenging reference photo. You go girl!
I love hops and I would like to try growing them here now that I have room for them. I once saw a British magazine with an article on homes that used dried hops for decorating. I was smitten.
I love your white pumpkins in yesterday's post. Fantastic! I love your colours and what a wonderful job using acrylics.
The photos look really neat :)
Our hydrangea won't flower :/ It is growing new limbs and leaves but no flowers. Going to put it in the ground this winter and see if that helps. I didn't know you could use rose hips for anything. There are so many rose bushes/hedges in the front lawn, covered with spots of red. Do you smoosh the rose hips?
Teresa, I like playing with images in photoshop sometimes and find it becomes my eyes in concentrating colour or value and gives me ideas to work with.
Hops are so easy to grow, you should try some. But you need a male and female plant to get 'fruit'. There are some that will set on there own, so be sure to ask first.
Jennifer, I think some years are better than others as to how the hydrangeas grow. This summer was awful and they're doing wonderfully well.
As for rosehips, yes, you do 'smoosh' them sort of. What I do is cut the large ones open and take out the furry bits, especially if making tea. If not I crush them then strain them. Its said they are better after a touch of frost.
Beautiful photos Jeanette. I love the alterations you made to the hydrangea photo
Robin, thanks. The intensification of the colours gives me some inspiration as to where to go next with it.
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