by hdavidson | Aug 18, 2021 | Marjolein Bastin’s Diary, News
If you have seen many of my paintings you know there are quite a few arbors in my garden. I love how they provide a sense of wonder; make you curious about what is there to see on the other side. And not to mention the fact that they are perfect for climbing plants...
by hdavidson | Jul 16, 2021 | Marjolein Bastin’s Diary, News
Over the years I have painted many birdfeeders, I’ve lost track of how many. I can’t imagine my patio in front of my studio without one and so with my previous birdfeeder looking a little worse for the wear my son-in-law Dino decided to build me a new one for my...
by hdavidson | Apr 24, 2021 | Marjolein Bastin’s Diary, News
We recently surveyed Marjolein’s fans about what they would like to ask Marjolein Bastin. Here is the second answer in our 3-part Q&A series. Written by Marjolein Bastin. Thanks for reading! How did Vera the Mouse get started? Years and years ago the editor in...
by hdavidson | Apr 12, 2021 | Marjolein Bastin’s Diary, News
We recently surveyed Marjolein’s fans about what they would like to ask Marjolein Bastin. Here is the first answer in our 3-part Q&A series. Written by Marjolein Bastin. Enjoy! Can you tell us a little bit about the process you go through when creating...
by hdavidson | Feb 25, 2021 | Marjolein Bastin’s Diary, News
After what seemed like a very long and cold winter, spring has arrived in my garden! I am so happy to see these beautiful crocuses blooming all over my garden, I have to paint them immediately. And right alongside the white flowers of the snowdrop, the winter aconite...
by hdavidson | Dec 28, 2020 | Marjolein Bastin’s Diary
Fifty three years ago today I married my husband Gaston! We have been on countless adventures together, experienced many highs and lows, raised two children and still love each other as much as on that day! Cheers to a great...
by hdavidson | Dec 25, 2020 | Marjolein Bastin’s Diary
From our home to yours, we wish all of you a wonderful Christmas. With the help of Yogi our tree has now been decorated with suet balls and strings of peanuts to make sure the birds get to enjoy a Christmas dinner as well. Happy...
by hdavidson | Nov 13, 2020 | Marjolein Bastin’s Diary, News
Autumn is such an inspiring time in the garden. Even though we will soon be transitioning to winter, there is still so much color! The last hydrangeas are slowly turning brown, and the fallen leaves display an abundance of colors as they are shimmering in the late...
by hdavidson | Sep 25, 2020 | Marjolein Bastin’s Diary, News
The painting above I made for my granddaughter Merel’s first birthday. How time flies, she just turned twenty-one! It’s time to head into the garden and bring some Black-eyed Susans inside for another painting. The blue vase goes so well with the yellow flowers. It’s...
by hdavidson | Sep 15, 2020 | Marjolein Bastin’s Diary
My whole life I’ve had a fascination with Switzerland. As a family we have hiked here year after year, after year. The experience is so calming, we just pick a mountain trail and soon feel as if we are all alone in the world…and so small. We spot birds, mostly...
by hdavidson | Aug 13, 2020 | Marjolein Bastin’s Diary
You just never know what you’re able to bring inside after a walk through the garden. The assortment of flowers changes throughout the year, which means the bouquets in my studio are always different. Sure, there are times I try to match the colors of the flowers but...
by hdavidson | Jul 29, 2020 | Marjolein Bastin’s Diary
The hydrangeas are blooming in all their glory, they are such an extravagant and romantic flower! These flowers are blooming in my herb garden, which I must admit is increasingly looking like a flower garden. There are still plenty of vegetables and herbs to use in...
by hdavidson | Jun 24, 2020 | Marjolein Bastin’s Diary, News
To see all the incredible details in your garden you need a place to quietly observe. Even during a slow walk you’ll miss things if you don’t stop every now and then. After a minute or so you will hear the insects buzzing around you, notice the small flowers growing...
by hdavidson | Jun 14, 2020 | Marjolein Bastin’s Diary
These magnolias are growing next to the house in Missouri and are blooming right now. This particular varietal, commonly known as the Sweetbay Magnolia, originated in the southeastern United States. I’m so glad it also feels at home here in the Midwest! The white...
by asiador | Mar 17, 2020 | Marjolein Bastin’s Diary
Even though it can be quite cold and windy this time of year I love to visit the beach on Ameland. The North Sea has a calming effect on me, perhaps because you have no influence over its motion or temperament. Its waves keep coming to shore, sometimes small other...
by asiador | Feb 19, 2020 | Marjolein Bastin’s Diary
This time of year our pond is a favorite stopover for many geese and ducks. It seems as if the geese can’t decide whether to fly north or south, just depends on the weather. Some days there must be thousands of Canada geese on the pond, an incredible sight and...
by aliadams2 | Jan 16, 2020 | Marjolein Bastin’s Diary, News
Flipping through the pages of my diary I’m reminded that spring is only a few months away. I made this sketch last spring when I watched two wrens build their nest right by my studio window. With any luck they will be building another nest this coming spring,...
by aliadams2 | Dec 9, 2019 | Marjolein Bastin’s Diary, News
It is perhaps natural to think of autumn in terms of brown hues and damp weather but there is so much more to see! Even discarded leaves and plants that have died off will continue to provide color in the garden. True, it is a more subtle display but when the...
by aliadams2 | Jun 18, 2019 | Marjolein Bastin’s Diary, News
Of course every season has its own appeal but is there anything better than the wealth of flowers during the late spring and early summer? I vividly remember the excitement of seeing the first blooms just a few months ago but now they’re everywhere! Butterflies...
by aliadams2 | May 2, 2019 | Marjolein Bastin’s Diary, News
It is a tradition this time of year: take a little time every day to see if the morel mushrooms have come up. The trick is to predict when they will appear, it takes just the right combination of rain, warm days and ground cover. Even if you don’t find any morels...
