A friend of mine brought me a bouquet of black eyed susans. I put the bouquet on the windowsill and the morning sun illuminated the flower. I took my camera and shot a photo of a single bloom. I found it very exciting and dramatic, and decided to use the photograph as reference instead of a sketch for a painting.
The Early People of Florida
Written and Illustrated by Eva Deutsch Costabel
This book for young readers tells the fascinating history of "La Florida" in words and brilliant paintings. It is a special look at a part of the United States that has its own unique and colorful past. Florida's history is very different from that of the thirteen states to its north. The first Europeans to explore Florida were from the Spanish colonies on the Caribbean Islands. These first Spaniards came into conflict with the Calusa, the Tequesta, the Timucua, and the Apalache, Florida's native peoples.
The Pennsylvania Dutch, Craftsmen and Farmers
Written and Illustrated by Eva Deutsch Costabel
Eva Costabel introduces the young reader to the life of a typical Pennsylvania Dutch farming family of the colony and to the many crafts produced by the German settlers there, including quilting, pottery making, woodworking and much more. The first German speaking colonists arrived in the New World to settle in William Penn's new colony of Pennsylvania. Many of them, such as Quakers, the Mennonites, the Moravians, and the Amish, were fleeing religious persecution, and Pennsylvania offered religious freedom.
Even though Chelsea is in the heart of Manhattan, there are many small gardens in the neighborhood. They are wonderful places to relax. I took an early morning walk and took up close photos of these beauties.
I stumbled upon these watercolors while organizing my filing and I felt that it's time to part with them. One does get very attached to one's work.
