We just got back home from a week in LA visiting family, and whenever we’re there, we always spend a bunch of time outside in the back yard. My in-laws live up a hill, and their backyard opens up to a valley below, with palm and cypress trees in the middle distance and hazy mountains beyond. They spend a lot of time gardening, and each corner of their yard has treasures to uncover, from a waterfall-irrigated koi pond to a large-scale metal whale sculpture, hand-made by my spouse’s dad.
Small 5”x7” watercolor sketches, trying capture the essence of this beautiful LA backyard
Having two preschool-aged kids means that pretty much nothing is ever relaxing, and never will be again, but I still enjoy sitting outside in that yard, in the reliable LA sunshine, and taking in the view.
This trip, we decided to bring down some watercolor supplies and an easel, which we set up on the deck. As soon as the kids woke up in the morning, they’d roll outside and start painting their masterpieces. At least for the first few days. After which the primary activity transitioned from painting pictures to using the watercolors to whip up potions that would turn people into frogs.
The kids doing morning art. Similar view as the one for my picture with the grill. We eat all our dinners outside when we’re here.
I don’t like using an easel for watercolors because I get too many drips, but I brought down some small clipboards that I would use to move around the yard and sketch a new corner of the garden each day.
My mini clipboard and mini watercolor set, sitting by the koi pond
The rendition
I tried to be strategic about timing and placement, but my 3-year-old found me, and I ended up working on my last painting (the umbrellas) in this position.
Artists together