2023 Flower Explosion
2023 Flower Explosion Has Begun
Once again, the 2023 flower explosion has begun at our house. Our home becomes a florist delight between the middle of April and May. We have a multitude of flowers that bloom at different times during this period, making the view out our front door exquisite. The funny part is we didn’t know about the flower bushes in front when we purchased the house 25 years ago.
We initially saw the house on New Year’s Day. We subsequently purchased it in January 1998 and moved in February. We got a huge surprise that spring. All these different kinds of flowers bloom. The house provided us with a beautiful wedding gift (May 9). Since that first spring, mother-nature has welcomed us each spring with an orchestrated display of flowers.
Rite of Spring
It’s the rite of spring when the bare trees of winter which allows you to see the neighbors change quickly. At the end of March, like magic, the buds start to grow. The trees transform our house into a canopy of green during April, a shaded, secluded oasis.
First to arrive are the tall red tips with their purple flowers. They announce the coming of spring. Then it’s the azalea show, starting with white azaleas by the front door and baby pink on the east side of the driveway. The baby red roses make their appearance to break up the azalea string. The grand finale is the enormous azalea bush in front of our house. When it blooms, it displays a monumental amount of azaleas flowers.
Because of their beauty, I go out and photograph the flowers each year. Over the years, I’ve probably taken over a thousand pictures of the flowers in my front yard. Here are a few images from this and last year’s bloom. As this year’s flowers bloom, I’ll take more pictures and provide a follow-up blog entry. To see more examples of my photography and digital painting work, go to the Gallery section of my website. Enjoy
Article Sale to Digital Copywriter
On April 13, Digital Copywriter, an online publication of AWAI, published my article “Using Online Tools to Improve Your Writing and Your Rankings.” The article discusses writing tools that I use when I’m writing. These tools include Grammarly, Hemingway, and Yoast, and I explain using these writing tools helps make you a better writer. Click the following link to read the published article.
Artist of the Month
As a reminder, I’m my art group, Manassas Art Guild (MAG), Artist of the Month (AToM) for April. Being AToM means I’m displaying my digital art in five stores around the city of Manassas. I’m showing my digital art in the following stores:
- Ground Central Station Coffee Shop
- The Things I love
- Weinegar’s Sweets & Treats
- Calico Jack’s
- The Art Factory (inside the Art Center)
When visiting the city of Manassas, stop by these stores and coffee shops and enjoy the treats while looking at my digital paintings. All paintings are for sale, and contact me for more information.
“Where Am I” Banner Update
An update on the 2023 version “Can You Find Me?” banner contest. In my last blog entry, I explained the assignment was to find the banners and email me at psmolens@pbsstudios.com. The offer still stands! The first one to email me with the correct location gets a matted print of the banner suitable for framing.
Fairfax Art Show
Hurry before they take it down this month! Four of my digital paintings are still up at the Winter 2023 “A Tribute to NOVA Fine Artists” art show at the Stacy C. Sherwood Rotary Gallery inside the Fairfax Community Center. You can also see the art online at the Artist Coalition of Fairfax website.
PBS Studios
PBS Studios is a feature and content writer/photography/digital painting company that’s written and published over a hundred articles for newspapers, magazines, and online publications. I’ve also had many other photographs published as illustrations in commercial and textbook publications. As a digital photo painter, I’ve displayed my work in shops, libraries, galleries, restaurants, commercial buildings (including Manassas City Hall), and banners.
Check out the gallery section on my website, www.pbsstudios.com, to see digital photo paintings and other examples of my work. Please Note: All photographs and digital images are for sale, and you can purchase my digital paintings directly from me or online through my Etsy Store. For more information, Please send me an email at psmolens@pbsstudios.com.