We had another couple of inches of rain again, then some sun. One of the gopher tortoise came out of his den to feast on the grass and weeds. The weeds in our lawn provide a variety of plants which are important for the tortoise diet. This guy is about ten inches across and slightly longer. He's the medium sized one we have. There's one who is even larger
Here's a wall tile I did of the gopher tortoise a while ago. Whenever either Gary or I see one out, we always let each other know. I never tire of watching the tortoise in our yard. In our side yard they eat the grass down in a wide arc and Gary doesn't even have to mow there.
On rainy days I always feel like going to the library. I've been thinking again of painting with acrylics to I checked out a few books to read. My easel is all set up in the corner of my studio and I already have a variety of paints. The book The New Acrylics gives a good explanation of acrylic paints and how they are used as well as contemporary uses such as glazing, texturing, staining, and more.
This illustration is from Julia Cameron's book, How to Avoid Making Art. Lots of humorous quotes and sketches to laugh about in her book, many of which I can see myself in. Ha.
I picked up The Grace of Great Things by Robert Grudin off the library shelf to read and I have two more books on request. This post is part of The Mud Colony what's happening in the studio. This post is part of Artists in Blogland what's happening. Thanks for visiting and for all your comments.
Very nice tortoise tile! I enjoy acrylic painting as well, just haven't had time to any in a year or so.
ReplyDeleteHello Linda:
ReplyDeleteWe can well understand how fascinating the tortoises must be to have around and are amazed to learn how much grass they can consume.
Have fun with all of your books - we shall look forward to hearing about the acrylic painting.
I love the Julia Cameron title. It is as though all of us have the capability, but we so often talk ourselves out of it with a variety of excuses. I love how you dive into all the possibilities for creativity. I needed to read this today. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteWhat fun it must be to look out and see tortoises on the lawn.
You sure don't seem one to talk herself out of things. You seem to be a full speed ahead type. Way to go.
ReplyDeleteThe tortoise is gorgeous! Last summer we had a turtle lay an egg in our yard without burying it so I attempted to but nothing came of it. Still, it was thrilling to think we might have a baby on our hands...
ReplyDeleteLove library books, especially for rainy days. I'm also reading about art...I can be seen toting around a book for waiting room reading. Cameron has written great art books, I'll have to check her latest. Have you read "The Artist's Guide, How to Make a Living Doing What you Love?"
ReplyDeleteOh, do you name the tortoises?
ReplyDeleteI've helped turtles across the road. Although we have a little creek, I've not seen one on the property. I think the difference between turtle and tortise is how they are adapted to water, which the southwest has much less of. It would be fun to have grass mowing tortise in the yard.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you have some very healthy tortoises living in your yard. We have just two common kinds, the painted turtle and the ugly, vicious snapping turtle. Painted turtles hatch out the size of a half-dollar coin and kids like to keep them for pets. Snapping turtles get really big and have a wicked bite. Sadly, neither kind with mow your lawn!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely tortoise!
ReplyDeleteWe love to visit the library here, too. So much to learn no matter how much you read!
How I would love to do the sorts of things that you do, but writing these books allows no time for anything else. Do miss it.
ReplyDeleteif we had tortoises we would be watching constantly too! We think of our hummingbirds as our seasonal "pets".
ReplyDeleteI finally got a library card in Seagrove... you have inspired me to go check out their books on painting. Have fun exploring acrylics.
Hey Ms Linda, LOVE yr Tortise..wish I had them stumbling around my backyard! How cool !
ReplyDeleteI DO like the wall tile you made...
Hi Robert, thanks, those stain painted tiles are really fun to make.
ReplyDeleteHi Jane and Lance, thanks, I hope to experiment with the painting this coming week.
Hi Teresa, thanks, sometimes getting a little off track helps keep life interesting and yes I think many have written that everyone is creative just have to let yourself go and do what you like.
Hi Patti, thanks, I do procrastinate and wait till the last minutes for things, then I go in spurts full speed ahead. I guess we are all our own worst enemy.
Hi Sonia, thanks, oh too bad you couldn't hatch the egg, maybe this year you'll have babies. I think these tortoise don't lay eggs till they are about ten years old I may be wrong on that age, I think someone told me that.
Hi Barbara, thanks, I haven't seen that book, I'll look for it I can use all the help I can get.
We don't name them just big one, middle one, little one, side yard one etc.
Hi Joanne, thanks, we help them across the road too, the info here in Florida is always bring them the direction they were going in. Yes these tortoise are on dry land.
Hi Ms. Sparrow, thanks, I think we have the snapping turtle but more in the low lying areas and near pounds, even those with their bites keep nature in balance just don't put you finger out for them.
Hi Julia, thanks, yes so much to learn about and so little time it seems.
Hi Carole, thanks, I think it all takes a lot of time, I just feel I must do so much more the older I get. I am trying to add a little of it all into my weekly plans, at least I have those good intentions anyway. Ha.
Hi Michele, thanks, the book I mentioned on acrylics is a really good one. I may have to buy it so I can refer to it often. Sometimes thrift stores have canvases that can be painted over too, so check that out.
Hi Adriana, thanks about the tile, I had a whole jaunt into those a while back. The tortoise are so cool and I worry about them the more building that goes on, we have an empty lot on all three sides of us, they live on those and come to our property to eat the small grasses and weeds. I think they come here because sod lawns of only one type of grass aren't the best nutrients for them, so we keep as many weeds as we can. Ha.
Love your tortoise! I might take a look at that book about making excuses - I am very good at that.
ReplyDeleteBTW it hasn't stopped raining for a couple of days here...Library closed on Sunday too.