Tag: Woodcock Demonstration Garden

An Artist’s Garden

Plein Aire Painter, Woodcock Demonstration Garden

Maybe it’s because I used to paint in a traditional sense that I’m always attracted to, and envious of, anyone painting plein air – and I’m delighted that most plein air painters are enthusiastic subjects, just like this one.

If you’re not familiar with the term, Google describes the artist’s as such: “a plein air painter is an artist who paints outside, directly from nature, capturing the subject in its natural environment. This French phrase, meaning ‘in the open air,’ refers to the practice of painting outdoors, with the artist’s subject in full view”.

And although I lost this artist’s name over the past 4 years, I’m hoping one of you can help me locate her. I’d love to thank her again, and to at least provide her with a print of this digital painting based on my photo – and to see the end results of hers!

May Flowers

Painterly Roses, Sequim Woodcock Demonstration Garden

I applied my collection of digital paintbrushes to this image in an effort to soften the effects of the harsh background I found it in, and so doing, my enjoyment of it increased exponentially. I hope you enjoy it as well.

And be sure to stop by the garden, a local gem, and a wonderful spot to find flora and fauna as well as Master Gardeners with a vast knowledge of everything you need to know to succeed in growing your own.

The Itsy Bitsy Spider

A White Crab Spider Walks Crablike atop a Lacy Phacelia

The Woodcock Demonstration Garden located at 2711 Woodcock Road, Sequim, offers a nice number of plants, flowers, bees, bugs and yes, spiders.

Crab spiders are ones with long front legs, moving with crablike sideways motions and typically hiding in plants and flowers waiting for prey, e.g., aphids, and unfortunately honey bees, bumblebees and butterflies – and of course, they’re white, versus brown, green, or yellow. 

Luckily for us, they’re not harmful or poisonous to humans, although some of us may still not appreciate their presence. But not to worry if you find one in your house, it was probably misguided and it would actually be happier if you were to put it outside. 

Crab spiders are also unique in that they don’t spin webs; they walk on top of plants and flowers until they drop a silk line to hunt, like a fishermen. So there’s no need to fear that you may run into a web on your way out the door either.

And if you’re like me and you enjoy photographing nature, stop by the Garden to enjoy not only the plants and beautiful flowers, but all the living creatures, notably the crab spiders.