Showing posts with label Hughes Water Gardens. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hughes Water Gardens. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

From Waterlilies to Metal Sculpture

I'd much prefer to sketch flowers. This waterlily at Hughes Water Gardens started turning from white to pink as we sat and sketched in the greenhouse. The subtle color changes happened very slowly. The gardener said that by the end of the day this waterlily would be all pink.

Victorian lily pads float in the greenhouse pond with tall lotus plants in the background.

The lotus blossom and seed pod always fascinate me with their grand size and shape.

Other waterlily species share the pond with their bright flowers and dark leaves.


This week, we went to Lake Oswego to sketch street art. My inclination is to draw the flowers in this beautiful bed.

Robin discovered this metal sculpture entitled "Totem" by Travis Pond from Steel Pond Studios in Portland. It's made of 100% recycled metal motorcycles and guns. Gas tanks become bodies and various metal parts formed the arms and legs of the totem creatures.

Here's the bottom creature- a frog? I'm not sure. I felt like I was drawing an outer-space being.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Sketching at Hughes Water Gardens

Summer is here in the NW with sunshine and 90°F temperatures. Yesterday, we sketched at one of our favorite spots- Hughes Water Gardens off Stafford Road. Be sure to check out their website for their Waterlily Festival and Invitational Art Show. Artist will be in the garden Sunday July 25th and July 31st giving demonstrations. The leaves of the lotus above remind me of nasturtium leaves but many times larger.
Colorful pots line the garden paths
Hydrangeas bloom in a variety of colors
Statues and other garden art offer a surprise around every corner