The Story Behind "Rural"

This line and wash painting started with the birthday cards I made in 2020. I painted four designs for those cards, and kept two. One that didn't make it was a fox wearing a blue vest, and he needed a new home.

In a lot of ways, this painting is full of all the things I love... Monet, my Dutch heritage, Shakespearian-era architecture, weeping willows, gardens, water, the idea of hot air balloons, open fields, mountains....

I knew there would be a windmill because I had a windmill in another painting that turned out SO well. The tulips were natural after the windmill both because of my Dutch heritage and one of Monet's paintings has a windmill and tulips...

The Shakespearian house (where the fox lives), was something I was excited to add because it's my favorite style of architecture. It looks so nice! I love the contrast in real life. In this painting, it was much harder to draw and paint than I expected.

I knew there would be a walled garden in the foreground, but I couldn't decide on an animal for a while. I'm super happy with the porcupine choice! Much better than the bunny I almost added.

The lines for the tall grass? Those took forever. My arm was cramping. Does that mean I was holding the pen wrong? Possibly. Did it work? Yes!

This 10 x 10 ink and wash painting is available if it's something you'd love to add to your collection!

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