Written by This doodlewash by Philippe is a final farewell to summer, as the temperatures start dropping and we enter the autumn season. He and the dog are big fans of the summer sun so this transition is always bittersweet for both of them.
Last year we went to a lot of trouble to create pots of lovely flowers on our deck, but this year we just didn’t feel like doing anything. Much to our surprise, though, many of the flowers we planted last year came back on their own with absolutely no help from us. This is one of the determined survivors.
It’s sometimes difficult to keep pots looking good, as our dog, Phineas, unlike us, loves gardening. Apparently he agrees that we’re horrible at it, and likes to rearrange the dirt and plants to his taste, which is a bit avant-garde, but we’re happy he’s expressing his creativity. And since most everything came back, he’s apparently quite good at it.
For this painting Philippe started with his Winsor & Newton colors and then began dipping into my M. Graham palette to discover that he liked my paints better. I liked the effect of the mix as the deeper saturated M. Graham reds really made the flowers stand out more.
So happy to have a little piece of summer captured before heading into fall (my favorite season!) And who knows, maybe Phineas has worked his magic and this plant will be back again next year. In any case, it’s at least comforting to know that somebody in the family has a green thumb.
A lovely farewell to summer painting Charlie and Philippe…but in Las Vegas its going 100 degrees until Wednesday. So I have more days to wait, it could be October. 🙂 Have a happy Sunday.
Hehe…shhhhh…don’t tell Philippe and Phineas that, Sharon! They’ll be on the next flight to Vegas!! Hope you’re having s wonderful Sunday friend! ❤️😃
Doggie gardening…hah! I love it! Phineas should write a book about his methods. 😉
Philippe’s painting is gorgeous! It’d make a great framed piece to have near the bed where you can wake up to every morning!
I know! Phineas is really good, but he’s also unlikely to share his secrets. It’s just his personality. And I agree, Teresa! 😃I really do want to frame this one, but we keep creating so many doodlewashes they’re sort of just piling up in a box instead. And framing takes effort. We might have to wait for Phineas to do it.
Poor pup…must he do everything every here? 😀 LOL!
Beautiful painting! I’m in Philippe’s camp, so sad summer is officially over. I’m a fan of fall but I love the light heartedness of summer…sign.
Thanks for commenting Cathe! ❤️😃Yeah… summer is fun. I think I just like the food that comes with fall better. Hehe 😊
Wow, your whole family is talented. I am not a fan of summer. I’m always too hot. 🙂
Phillippe painted some beautiful flowers. Now paint some beautiful fall foliage. 🙂
Thanks Carol!! Yeah…I feel the same about summer! Lol I can’t wait to see what Philippe does with fall colors. 😉hehe
This is the time to come visit me in Scottsdale.. Very warm but evenings are starting to cool. Philippe’s painting is beautiful, I love the bright red!
Hehe… we can make it through fall, but my winter…have a couple cups of hot chocolate waiting and we’re SO there! 😃👍🏻
A whole family affair for this post. Love Phineas’ gardening skills, am GUSHINHG over Phillipe’s painting, and adore your story. Hugs to you all. Out gang is napping and snacking and watching football today. GO Steelers!🏉
Hehe…thanks Jodi!! ❤️😃Napping and snacking sounds like fun!! Enjoy the game! You aren’t likely to find my gang watching sports! Lol😊
My gang pretty much loves sports – and I only hang out because they love it and it brings us all together. 🙂 Of course – I’m making the snacks, and smiling watching them enjoy 🙂
I have to admit that if everyone around me is loving a game then I can get caught up in it too! The spirit is fun…even when you don’t understand the sport! 😉
Simple and lovely 🙂
Thanks for commenting friend!!
My pleasure
This is great. It looks like a salvia to me and those are indestructible! I used to have a canine family member that “helped” with gardening…your post made me smile in remembrance. Thank you.
Aww thanks Rachel!! And cool you also had a gardening dog. Hehe…Phineas is so serious about it and focused it’s really comical to watch.
“…likes to rearrange the dirt and plants to his taste, which is a bit avant-garde, but we’re happy he’s expressing his creativity.”
Has anyone ever told you that you have a real talent for writing? Specifically, a real gift for turning a phrase?
Aww thanks Lindsay!! 😃 That’s so nice of you to say. I did actually want to be a writer once upon a time until I realized how much writing was involved. 😊 This blog has been a good way to trick myself into writing more. Perhaps both my art AND writing will improve on this journey!!
Wonderful feeling…will send me to bed happy! (K.)
Yay!! That makes me happy! Hope you slept well Kerfe! 😃❤️
Yes I did!
❤️ Such a cute post!!! I just imagined Phineas gardening… 😄LOL My dog is more into hunting flies, mice, and lizards – which also leaves some tracks in the garden. Her style is more expressionistic though… Love this painting of Philippe, it´s beautiful!!! Green and red are just so nice together! ❤️💚
Thanks! 😃Yeah…I’m pretty proud of my talented little family!! Even if I can’t get the dog to doodlewash for a complete trifecta, he at least found creative outlets. And hunting is a great passion! Where we live though, flies would be the only game do less fun probably.
LOL 😄
Beautiful painting, a lovely ode to summer. Your stories are so delightful…and Phineas gardening, cut and charming image. Thank you for this.
I think it’s more charming to write about…in person it’s a little frustrating. But he’s so darn cute it’s hard to stay mad. 😊😊
Simple and perfect!