5 in a 5-5-5 Around the Yard

Somewhere in my viewing of artist's blogs, I came across a reference to an interesting type of challenge.  It seems to be a challenge to get the artist to sketch anywhere, sketch fast, and to not overwork the color.  Most of us artists cab use such practice, so I went for it one sunny afternoon this week.  The parameters:
walk no more than 5 minutes, stop, sketch for 5 minutes, then add color for 5 minutes, then repeat.  With Spring busting out all over, I had no problem finding subject matter, often walking less than a minutes.  As I went from one to the next, I decided the add that 4th 5, thus 5 mini-sketches in a 5-5-5.  And the results:

CHERRY BLOSSOM SNOW

 As far back as I can remember, I can see a painting by my grandfather, called "Cherry Blossom Snow" that captured my imagination and wonder.  Snow?  Cherry tree snow?  As I grew up, I actually did experience the "snow" of those cherry blossoms on windy days.  Still, I was fascinated by that idea, and wondered if I would ever really be able to experience such a phenomenon AND possess the skill to depict my own interpretation.  It has become a holy grail for me...a rather elusive goal, something to strive for - over and over and over.  But one can hardly complain about sitting under huge old cherry trees on a warm sunny day, while being gently touched by falling cherry blossom leaves.  Since moving to Seattle, in 1984, I have been able to find those cherry trees, and yes, I have tried often, to sketch them.

This scene was painted in the Washington Park Arboretum.
And yes, I was over in the UW Quad this past Sunday, when it was 69 degrees!! trying yet another sketch.  And I wonder if I will be able to use that sketch in another watercolor.  Time will tell.