There are limits....

       

                                                                                               acrylic, 6x8"                                               

...to how much I am willing to suffer for my art, and for my Watchers.  It is 97 degrees in the shade at my house today.  I painted this at home, and I know if I want to take a decent photo, I should troop myself down to the studio and do it there with the good lighting system.  But nope, it would be so hot down there-- I am not willing to take this suffering thing that far.  Until I can get a better photo, you will have to make do with this one.

This is a gift for someone I work with whose father recently died, so I thought/hoped the symbol of renewal would be potentially comforting.  Especially since she recently rescued and released two baby birds.... If you see anything glaringly wrong with this, please let me know tonight, although it would be very difficult to make a judgement  based on this poor photo.  I do plan to give it to her tomorrow.  I'm terrible at waiting when I want to give a gift.

In an extremely unprofessional move, I wanted to show you the method to which I have resorted in trying to save my garden from burning up.  Usually these plants wilt in the sun of the day, but starting yesterday, I swear they were burning.  Enjoy this photo now, I will probably remove it one of these days....