Trumpeting Summer
A row of trumpet vines stretched along the old wall, forming a thick hedge of green and orange on the side of the road. I love the blossoms’ long tubular shape; a perfect fit for a hummingbird’s slender bill. I didn’t have a lot of time, but how could I pass them up? Like summer and hummingbirds, these blooms are fleeting.
Tips and Techniques– When doing a sketch or painting in my journal, I may only get as far as the drawing or a beginning layer of paint before time runs out. Such was the case with this, and after a week, I’ve only just managed to finish it. Good thing—I have several unfinished pages that are on the verge of going nowhere if I don’t get back to them. Do you find that If you wait too long, you lose interest or momentum, or just move on to something else? Lesson learned: start and finish before the moment gets away from you.
Drawn In 
Totally relate to the difficulty in finishing a paused piece. Sometimes it’s lack of motivation. Others, if the piece has started out really well, it’s fear of messing it up! 🤣🤦🏻♀️
And here’s another struggle– the piece hasn’t started well and I’m not sure whether to press on with it. That was the case with this page, but I’m glad I forced myself to continue.
Oh gosh, yes, guilty here too. If a page doesn’t get finished promptly, there are times when I just don’t get back to it. The excitement is truly ‘in the moment’…and then my happy brain is on to the next thing!! Don’t you just love those trumpet flowers!!! So pretty!! My neighbor has a ton of them!!
Yes I do. More often than not. I have plenty of unfinished pages that I’m just getting to. I love humming birds as I’m sure a million people do. Always seems their stay is to short. This is beautiful, Jean.
I agree. Finish it on the spot, or very soon thereafter. Even on a finished sketch I take a second look the next day and will often see a wee something needing added (usually some darks).
I love your pages and painting!
Thanks Alison– I have a few sketches that I really need to finish. Hoping to recapture the freshness of the moment. Sorry about your maple– looks like it was quite a majestic tree. I liked your sketches.
Definitely true about waiting too long, and more so with drawing or painting than with photography or writing, I think.
Agreed!
Sob. I know. And the end of summer is bothering more than most years. Trumpet vines. I didn’t know what they were called.
Aren’t they great? They can take over and are very deep rooted once established, but I love those large trumpet blossoms. Still lots of summer left!
Good to know. Thank you.