The Nursery!

I love to take snapshots at nurseries but didn't have painting opportunities at any until last Saturday.  Bellefontaine Nursery in Pasadena was on the list of our paint-out locations and I was looking forward to it.  We almost didn't get permission to paint there but happily we were finally OKed.  The nursery is owned by a Japanese family and has been open since 1939.  The main building is an old, wood frame style that you just don't see here much any more.  Wonderful that it's still standing for us to enjoy.  The nursery has so many alcoves of plant varieties, lath structures, and pots that I spent too long walking around investigating and had to quickly chose a view to start painting.      

I've always loved the look of lath houses.  Lots of interesting shapes and all those patterns of light and shadow catch my eye.  I chose a spot to paint with a view into one of the lath houses that was roped off.  My painting (approx. 8"x10") and view, and also a photo of the modest set-up I'm using right now.  I hand-hold a watercolor block.  I was waiting for my first wash to dry when I took this shot.  There's also a photo below of a little friend I saw while investigating.