I was thinking about putting a word in the blue area on this one. Not sure yet!
I was thinking about putting a word in the blue area on this one. Not sure yet!
I did a little more abstract experimentation for today’s painting. During the process of daily painting this summer, I’ve been consciously trying to focus less on producing a product — a painting — and more on the act of painting and experimenting. It’s been a very free-ing experience, giving myself the opportunity to explore painting without thinking about creating an actual product. Some of the pieces may become an end product. Some of them may be used as studies for something else I want to do later. Some may be just food for thought. And some may just be marking a day in the summer of 2014. What I think the adventure is becoming is a real growing experience for me. A chance to hone the way I look at and approach my own craft. I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to do these things each day and to see my children get excited about seeing it too.
On that train of thought, some of today’s piece was motivated by my 5-year-old’s perspective on watercolor painting. A week or so ago when she was painting with me, she discovered that she loved what happened when the colors were allowed to mingle together (a-ha moment!). I showed her a little about using more water with the paint to help that mingling process. She was sold. So, today’s work and the paint drips created by moving the paper around are in Baby Girl’s honor!
Happy Tuesday!
Today’s sketch is a more abstract take on the lantana blooms from yesterday. I’m not totally convinced about the outcome, but the process of looking at something familiar as simple overlapping shapes is very interesting to me.
I spent a few minutes on the porch this afternoon getting reacquainted with my paint box after a weekend off. Saturday, I put in some pots of yellow lantana with creeping jenny to our front urns, and I enjoyed sketching out some of the different shapes in combination. Inspired by the photos below, I’ve already decided that tomorrow’s painting time will be devoted to an abstract depiction of those lovely yellow bloom clusters. Stay tuned!
I’m excited to share these sweet new prints I’m adding to the Print Shop today! During my holiday dreaming, I decided I wanted to incorporate more of my personal illustration work into pieces for the Etsy shop using some of my sketch journal entries and hand-drawn words. I’ve added a few new pieces of equipment to my office “tech” to allow me to print with great quality and color permanence, and I hope you like the results as I start sharing more of the pieces. I’ve had a goal for the last few years to incorporate more illustration into my daily work. It’s exciting to see some of the work come together.
You may have noticed from some of the sketch journal entries that I’ve been inspired by patterns and doily-type shapes recently. The sweet shapes fit so nicely with this sentiment we’ve probably all heard from our grandmothers… Pretty is as pretty does. I’ve created the design in pink, yellow and lavender color ways, and I’m excited to add one to my own Baby Girl’s decor. I hope you enjoy!
Hello & welcome! I’m Haley Montgomery, and I’m the designer and owner of Small Pond Graphics. I sometimes fancy myself a frog kisser— a documentarian coaxing poignant moments from unexpected places. This blog has evolved from those moments.
The small Pond FIELD GUIDE is part diary, part sketchbook, and part wish list – an archive of ordinary wonders. For years, this space has housed my stories – creative ideas, vintage inspiration, our forays into curious places, and the simple artifacts of quiet of conscious living. Through watercolor, photography, and illustrated tales, these pages uncover the blessing of ordinary days and the wonder found in authentic places and pursuits.
I invite you to open the boxes.
Peek into the drawers.
Rustle through the pages.
I’m honored to have you here.
© Haley Montgomery for Small Pond Graphics.
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