Midsummer, meadow, wildflowers and a tiny seasonal journal

The meadow keeps meadowing along with wildflowers and grasses going thru their season an I keep walking thru it taking photos and marvelling at how beautiful it all is.

Right now there are tons of peacock butterfly caterpillars on the ragwort munching away. I can’t wait for them to metamorphose into the beautiful adult forms which will feed off the teasel blossoms before the teasels form seeds and feed the goldfinches.

I was wondering how to capture all of this in art and remembered that tiny autograph book I found at the steam rally.

That little book seemed like the best place to capture the meadow.

It belonged to a child named Clare and she started it in 1954.

I chose the bright yellow ragwort blossoms for the front inside cover and first page.

Watercolours weren’t opaque enough, so I used a little acrylic paint.

Then some wild brambles with their chalky, purple-blue stems.

Nightshade,

Wild cherry, which is already starting to colour and drop leaves because it’s been a little too dry lately.

Herb Robert,

Grasses,

Himalayan balsam. I love how the seed heads pop open to the touch.

On the go right now are evening primrose and morning glory and I have room for 17 more wildflowers…

…while the meadow keeps doing its own thing.

I’m rushing to document it all before the autumn settles in.