Thursday, July 25, 2013

Picnic girl. . .

Are you much of a picnicker (doesn't that word look weird?) - I'm not although I do enjoy picnics.  
DON'T ENJOY - Making all the food, cleaning up the kitchen, packing up the food and traveling to the picnic site.  
DO ENJOY - Opening the basket, spreading the blanket, eating the food outside on a sunny day. 
DON'T ENJOY - Cleaning up at the picnic site followed by emptying, cleaning and putting away the picnic basket once home. 
The work of the picnic generally outweighs the joy of the picnic for me.  However, one time several years ago we were vacationing with mom and dad in the Smokey Mountains.  We were in the middle of nowhere and our breakfast had worn off - we were tired and hungry.  What to do??  Mom had purchased a loaf of bread earlier, we had preserves from a gift shop (sorry to whoever was supposed to receive said preserves but we were STARVING) and dad had a pocket knife.  Seems like there were some grapes involved but mom will have to confirm if I am embellishing at this point. . . 
Anyway - there has never been bread and jam accompanied by bottled water that has tasted better in my life than what we experienced that day.  The sky was blue, the mountains were gorgeous, there were deer close by in the meadow and we were happy and contented with the simplest of fare.
That is the kind of picnic that I love - a serendipitous picnic!

23 comments:

denthe said...

Couldn't agree more with you, the spontaneous picnics are the best! Love your girl!

PaintingWrite said...

I love this post!! Your girl is gorgeous for a start and I laughed at your picnic tales! Funny enough last weekend I made a picnic and we headed off to the most remote beach in the UK - 80 miles along the north coast of Scotland then down the west a little, park up and walk 4.5 miles through the most beautiful landscape of hills and lochs to get to a stunning beach. We did happen to choose the hottest day of the year so far for the walk but it was lovely when we finally unpacked the lunch and settled down! (Until we had to start the 4.5 mile back to the car again!)

Netty said...

I so agree with you spontaneous picnics are the best. Loving your girl. Happy PPF, Annette x

Michelle said...

Every time I look at your girls, I am inspired to start trying out drawing regularly as well. I have a little too much on my plate right now, but one day I'm going to do it! I love the pops of bright colour on the kraft background on your picnic girl. I love the shading around her eyes. I REALLY love her hair. :-)

Giggles said...

I agree one hundred percent! I used to like making a picnic...now we get fish and chips on the beach, take candles and play cards at the picnic table...no fuss, no mess...dinner made, picnic had, cards played while watching the sunset....a perfect evening!! The simplicity is best!!

Wonderful art piece!!

Hugs Giggles

ann @ Whimsyville said...

I adore picnics - yes it is a weird word :) she is just perfect. Happy PPF

alarmcat said...

love your picnic story...sounds wonderful!

barefootedwanderer said...

I love picnics! I usually plan sandwiches and bring paper plates... I wash and cut the tomatoes and lettuce at home (and any other embellishments. Pack the condiments needed and bring paper plates... Easy clean up!

OH! And can't forget fresh fruit!!

Your picnic girl is adorable! I love her striped shirt.

I finished my woman... you can view her here: http://barefootedwanderer.blogspot.com/2013/07/the-silent-dancer.html

Hope you have a great day!

Renee! said...

Wow... this is the first time I've seen your work... I love your style!!! So glad I found you...
Stopping in from PPF to say hello...
have an artful weekend!
Renee xoxo
http://www.fussitup.blogspot.com/2013/07/dreaming-and-paint-party-friday.html

Kristin said...

I agree! A picnic without the work is the best kind ;)
I love your pink and orange here - and am a fan of your work.
Thank YOU so much for playing along with the SOC for this year - I loved having you and look forward to doing it all again next year!
xoxo

sharon said...

Your girl is gorgeous, I love the unexpected and planned picnic too.

Sandy said...

Your memories are beautiful just like your art!
sandy

Ayala Art said...

I like picnics but we don't have them often, it is so hot where I live, it has to be like a very early spring thing, if anything :oD

Anne Manda said...

Love your pages, so pretty and summery! Great picnic post altogether - picnicking is fun, but the preparations... :)

Janet said...

As a kid we did lots of picnics but I haven't been on one in years. I agree with your thoughts about them. Love the outdoor part, hate the prep and cleaning up part!

Ilona Heimböckel said...

Great idea to make a journal page out of a picnic experience! :-) I love picnics and I must admit that they mostly are spontaneous when I do them. Grab a few things to eat and leave the house. (It often takes a while to get ready!!!) A few weeks ago I had one in the evening with my daughter. We brought self-made pizza and earl grey tea and water and enjoyed a wonderful sunset by the sea.

bellefrogworks said...

I am pretty much with you about picnics - although once in a while my husband, grandson and I have dinner on the living room floor and that's a picnic too. What a wonderful memory to share with your parents. And I always love your paintings and this lady is just lovely

Fida said...

I agree with you! I dont like picnics :/

I love your artwork so much!

Unknown said...

I love your picnic story and your picnic girl :) Michelle

manomij said...

Wonderful Art as usual!
ManonX

Valerie-Jael said...

Wonderful post! Valerie

Jez said...

Your dreamy girl is lovely and I smiled at your tales of picnics. As I started reading, memories came back to me from seventy years ago when a picnic for us was jam butties (sandwiches) with thick bread and home made jam and a bottle of tap water with a screw of paper in the top to act as a cork. So when I reached your bread and jam tale it gave me a great big smile, and I could almost taste it with you. I agree about spontenaity in life.

Renee Dowling said...

There is something really special about your drawings...maybe it is the expressions on your girls, or perhaps it is their hair...and the combination of your modern drawings with the old papers! What ever it is, I really enjoy them!

Spontaneous picnics are the best. When my sons were small, we often had picnics in our backyard, and often on the floor in our front room! Thanks for generating some fine memories!