3 Campanulas - pen & ink with watercolors

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drawing copyright Judith Nijholt-Strong. all rights reserved.

"3 Campanulas"

pen & ink with watercolors

May 2013 ~ Utrecht, Netherlands

A little "loose" drawing of the campanulas (bellflowers) which are currently growing in my garden. We've had several days of rain and cold temps again (and more on the way), but the garden is full of new blooms such as the campanulas. I'm still waiting for my peonies to open, though I think they need more sunny days. 

If not for the trees and other flowers in bloom, it would be difficult to imagine this is still the month of May - feels and looks more like October!

For the drawing I used:

• Sakura Pigma Micron archival ink pens - sizes .005 & .01
• Winsor & Newton Artists watercolors
• Arches fine grain hot-pressed watercolor paper

tot ziens,

Judy

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New Beginnings in my garden ~ hydrangea leaves drawing

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copyright Judith Nijholt-Strong. all rights reserved.

"New Leaves 2013"

ink and watercolors in small Moleskine sketchbook

May 2013 ~ Utrecht, Netherlands

After a rather long break from my two dimensional art and a long, dreary, break from anything worth looking at in my garden (according to me) - there are finally "new beginnings"!

tot ziens,

Judy

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A special Koninginnedag 2013 - A new King!

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Queen's Day to King's Day

(van Koninginnedag naar Koningsdag)

It's official! 

Beatrix has abdicated and The Netherlands has a new king.

Koning Willem-Alexander

The first Dutch king in 120 years.

At 46 yrs. of age, he is the youngest European crowned head.

Lang leve de Koning!

(Long live the King!)

Let the fireworks begin ... ;o)

Judy 

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Happy Earth Day, 2013 ... Ijsbloem! (Ice plant)

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I'll be in my garden ... if you need me. 

Busy planting. :o)

Photo copyright 2013 Judith Nijholt-Strong. 

All rights reserved.

"Ijsbloem - Ice Plant" (Delosperma)

April 2013 ~ Utrecht, Netherlands

Happy Earth Day!

:o)

Judy

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10 long years in the making, the renovated Rijksmuseum is about to reopen!

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A flash mob in the city of Breda, Netherlands - announcing the soon to be open again, renovated (after 10 long years and lots of euros later), Rijksmuseum!

Video via The Guardian  news online.


The Rijksmuseum - (link is to the english language site) opens April 13th, 2013.

Since it will obviously be overcrowded for awhile, I won't be standing in line for the reopening even though I've eagerly awaited the museum's reopening. I'll wait until some time in the fall of this year to see again (been many times before) the treasures in the "Rijks".

Lucky me, I am a member of the Dutch Museums Jaarkaart which, (in my opinion), for a reasonable yearly fee, gives holders free access to very many museums in the Netherlands.

:o)

tot ziens,

Judy

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Happy Easter 2013 ... even though it feels like January!

From my busy desk,  to yours ...

photo & art works copyright Judith Nijholt-Strong. all rights reserved.

"The Daffodils of 2012"

March 2013 ~ Utrecht, Netherlands

Despite what the calendar tells me, it's still very much winter in the Netherlands - cold days and overnight freezing temps ... brrr!! So for this post I've resorted to using a picture of my sketchbooks from last year because currently, in my garden, there are no daffodils in bloom :( Who can blame them; they're freezing! Sure, I could, of course, buy some hot-house daffodils anywhere in the Netherlands (including my local grocery store and gas station), but I'd rather see the ones in my garden in bloom. *

Ok, I'm obviously just ready for Spring to really spring! lol

Anyway, have a wonderful weekend - whatever the weather and wherever you are.

For those who celebrate :

Vrolijk Pasen!

Happy Easter!

* currently at 6:03pm March 29th, 2013 in Utrecht,  it's snowing outside!  

Just looked out the window... Snow  this late...oh my.

Judy

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