I have to share with you all these fascinations I found here in SC.
First thing I saw was these magnificent, frightening spiderwebs in the trees. They cover whole branches, sometimes even whole small trees. I tried to do a search on the internet for the type of spider, but couldn't stand looking at all these spider photos coming up on my screen. So I still don't know....they captivate me completely, scare me and fascinate me at the same time.
I am also fascinated by the hundreds of car dealers on every which road out there, with their hundreds of cars in every color, parked in neat rows, almost measured distances next to each other, the angles perfect and decorated with colorful flags and balloons...how can you not stop and buy a car? They have turned car sales into an art! I get a kick from these scenes every time I'm on the road and find those without this flair very boring!
I also have to mention the kudzu, which took my breath away. I have had nightmares where I stand still for just a moment too long and I'm being taken over by these vigorous growers! Once again, an exhilirating sight where they form thick carpets in the valleys, growing up trees and wires and poles, everything and anything that can be a host...magnificent and scary...
There are many more of these enthrallments I find on my daily outings, but I'll leave them for next time.
All done in moleskine with pen and watercolor.
26 comments:
Hi Ronell (and happy birthday!)
I'm betting they are worms of some sort, not spiders--they turn into moths, but they do make these amazing webs, so not to worry--it's not good for the tree, but nothing to be afraid of.
Glad you're back posting!
I hope kudzu,car dealerships and bugs aren't really the most captivating things about Keowee Key, SC, Ronell...or you may be in for a very long three months!
(In response to your note - For a variety of reasons, my old website-Present Tense -is gone.)
You know - kudzu is the bane of the southeast, but I've always loved it anyway. When I was a kid I would imagine kudzu shapes instead of cloud shapes - they make fantastic dinosaurs growing up telephone poles and lines...
I love car lots, too...I think they are full of bluster and wind and untold treasures. :-D
Let me know if you decide to head north, and we'll arrange a meeting! I'm going to be on the Cherokee, NC side of the Smokies over Labor Day Weekend.
Terrific sketches - especially the car dealership! I think your big spiderwebs were made by what we called in Texas - TENT CATERPILLARS. They totally destroy trees unless kept under control.
Thank you for telling me Cathy! I went to look it up and you're right...it is the Eastern tent caterpillar...it is incredible!
ronell
Thanks Shirley...your message came in just as I posted my message...I saw an air photo of a forest infested with these caterpillars and I first thought it was trees covered in white blossoms...
Ronell
it's nice to hear these kind of details about a place. looking forward to more. thank you.
lions and tigers and bears...oh my! I'm thanking my lucky stars I'm a california girl! I had never heard of kudzu so did a google search...scarry! and those giant webs!!!!! yikes...your sketches both educational and beautiful!!! Come to California!!!!! no bugs or plants that will eat you up!
hi ronell, I just read that you traded the Peugeout for a few months? Get a Mustang indeed, a convertible one! now seriously, hope your stay on this side of the ocean is great, can't wait to read more of your impressions and see more of your beautiful sketches.
I see that those caterpillars are a pest there too. We get them just outside of the city on all the trees. Gives me the willies.
I did a google on the Kudzu, and am totally intrigued. what is truley amazing is the growth and it's ability to create so many different shapes.
As for the car dealerships, they are on almost every corner here in Canada also, all decked out as if there's a grand gala going on inside.
Great sketches of all three Ronell.
So good to have you back posting again.
Ronell: I find it fascinating to see SC thru your eyes -- yes car dealers, churches, gas stations on every corner .. and that indominable kudzu .. and yes, it WILL cover you if you keep still ... it's redeeming qualities, though, the flour made from the rhizome is a staple in Asian countries, the flower makes an decent jelly ... and there are so many kudzu festivals featuring baskets made from the vines, foods, etc.....
Your sketches, as always are so painterly and beautiful!!!!
Oh my goodness, I wouldn't want to see those spiders!
The perspective on your last painting (of the poles with stuff growing up them) is really well done. Using grey creates a sense of huge depth and distance.
Love the other paintings too, and your descriptions.
How fun to see your sketches of SC. Only you could get away with painting a car dealer! :)
I'm enjoying your views of SC. Bugs are a BIG deal there-they're everywhere... have you seen any of the beautiful moths flying around at night?
love your artwork --especially the kudzu
I love watching your discoveries - seeing things that we all take for granted, fresh eyes reminding us of the beauty in the everyday around us. Thank you Ronell - your excitement is infectious.
your artwork is cool
I think we have something similar here that attacks the umbrella pines. I could never paint a web like that at a distance and have it look like a web. Well done. Love the car yard too, very pretty composition with the bunting.
As usual I love not only the sketches but also your words.
Thank you all for your comments, I really appreciate it.
Ronell
Ronell, your posts are always such a pleasure to read and your artwork is inspiring. Enjoy your stay in SC and I look forward to sharing the experience through your blog.
Serena :)
I enjoyed reading about what you've seen. I hadn't ever hard about those wormy things before. I love to go to new areas and explore.
I love the sketches, especially the car lot..something about that one...makes me want to take a trip to SC and buy a car...all that color probably.
You put up a banner. I love it. Very nice look.
have lots of fuuunnnnnnnnn!!!!
sandy
Belated happy birthday, Ronell! It's fun and funny to see and read your responses to the wilds of South Carolina. Tent caterpillars and car lots and kudzu---that sums up quite a bit about the state. Have you been to Charleston yet?
Glad you're settled at last.
I once read a horror story about kudzo...leave that t your imagination.
Like the new header.
Ronell, nice and informative sketches! I never heard about "Kudzu", but googled a bit and it's really interesting that once it was a garden plant which turned out to be a pest now...Hope it won't enter Europe or South Africa...or maybe it already has...
It is scary to watch trees succumb to tent caterpillars.
I always love your drawings.
Those webs are most likely gypsy moths rather than spiders. I heard from a friend up north they are really bad. When I was a kid they were so bad that they completely de-foliaged the trees on the mountain. And kudzu, which reportedly came from our friends in England is a trip to see. We've been here 3 years and I've already seen a shack taken down by it. Of course it was already encompassed by the stuff when we got here. :-) These are wonderful sketches! I especially like the one of the car lot. I never looked at them like that until I saw your sketch. Hope your stay in SC is a happy one. Have fun!
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