Huntington Gardens Adventure: A Focus on Nature's Beauty

 I recently visited the Huntington Gardens, and the beauty I found there truly moved me. I initially aimed to share my top ten favorite nature photographs from that trip, but as I compiled them, I felt compelled to share eleven!

Art is a powerful force that continuously drives me to seek beauty, and sometimes, the raw power and intricate detail of nature becomes my inspiration. In this collection of garden-centric photographs, I wanted to capture and share that very spark. I hope you feel it too!

Happy Earth Day! Photograph of a Bee Hanging on...

 

I took this photo of a bee on a purple flower at Huntington Gardens.  The bee seems to be just hanging on.  I love to photograph the beauty of nature, flowers and animals inform my art and fill my soul with hope.  I hope that this Earth Day, there is some time to contemplate the delicate balance of our world.

Happy Mother's Day! Photograph of Blue Flowers at Huntington Gardens...

 

I took this photograph of blue flowers at Huntington Gardens on my most recent visit with my mother.  I believe this blue-green flower is a rare bromeliad from Chile called Puya alpestris that blooms in the spring in the Desert Garden.  Mother's Day is a special day to celebrate one of our most precious family members and friends, but it is also shared moments that draw us together.  Many thanks to my mother for being with me.

Yellow Bird Amidst Some Yellow Flowers at Huntington Gardens...

 

I took this photograph of a yellow bird amidst some yellow flowers at Huntington Gardens some time ago.  It was actually in the parking lot as we were leaving.  I woke this day with a powerful urge to look at the beauty of the gardens and decided to share this one with you.  I hope it will bring you some hapiness as it did me.

Happy Mother's Day! Photograph of a Mother Duck Swimming with her Ducklings at Huntington Gardens....

 

Happy Mother's Day!

I think this is a mallard duck with her ducklings going for a swim.  I was photographing them at Huntington Gardens and thought they were oh so lovely...  I hope you have a lovely day.

Happy Earth Day! Photograph of a Bee Pollinating a Flower at Huntington Gardens....

 

Happy Earth Day!

I don't know the name of this flower, but it struck me with its beauty.  I was photographing it at Huntington Gardens when this sweet bee came along to pollinate the flower...

Happy Thanksgiving! My Photograph of a Grateful Squirrel at Descanso Gardens...

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

It occurs to me that I don't have a lot of fall art, but I did take this photo at Descanso Gardens of a very grateful squirrel. They were quite happy that the people were putting squash decorations out, or rather snackos...

I hope you have a wonderful holiday!

Original Pink Saucer Magnolia Flower Painting! Art Prints & ACEO Prints! Photograph of Dappled Gentle Light Against the Flowers at Descanso Gardens...

"Elegance" Original 11"x14" Painting on Canvas Here

This is my featured painting is "Elegance."  I've been thinking about the beauty of flowers.  I love their gentle forms and trying to capture them when their charm is at its zenith.  The art has a painterly realist impressionist feel.  The original pink saucer magnolia floral acrylic painting is available as are art prints and LE ACEO prints!  

Most of my art is also available on my website at lisabellarusso.com; however, on the first Tuesday of the month, I like to put some art prints and LE ACEO prints on ebay at a lower promotional rate for the duration of the auctions...  This month, my theme is mermaids and more; you may see them here.

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Photograph of Dappled Gentle Light Against the Flowers at Descanso Gardens

I took this photograph of these pink saucer magnolias at Descanso Gardens.  I love how the light gently caressed and engulfed them.  I can't take myself to the gardens so I find myself visiting my photos of them.  I hope that you will enjoy this photo!

My Photograph of Spring Pink Cherry Blossoms Sakura at Descanso Gardens...

Most years I visit Descanso and Huntington Gardens many times in the spring.  This year will be a bit different.  I did go once to Descanso Gardens before we were asked to stay home as much as possible.  This is a photo I took that day of a sakura tree boughs laden with pink cherry blossoms.  I hope that you will enjoy this photo!  

I'm not posting daily as my time on the computer is limited, but I am trying to post a bit more often as many of us are staying in more than usual.  I have many years of stockpiled photos, art shows I haven't shared yet, and my own art completed and in progress that I'd like to share some of with you.  If we can not go to the art or the gardens, I will strive to bring some of what I have to you...


I love to try to capture beauty, you may see some of my finished paintings at lisabellarusso.com if you'd like.

My Photograph of a Pink Saucer Magnolia Flowers at Huntington Gardens + Sketches of Little Red Riding Hood, Big Eye Mermaid, & Flowers/ February 24-28 / Art Sketch Daily...

I took this photograph of this pink saucer magnolia at Huntington Gardens during my most recent visit.  There was a tree with many blooms close to the ground, I was able to photograph from above.  Solo or with one of my maidens, this flower is very tempting for me to paint.  I hope that you will enjoy this photo!

I love to paint flowers, you may see some of my finished paintings at lisarusso.com if you'd like.

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Here is a sketch of a big eyed maiden.  She is inspired by the fairytale little red riding hood.  She is the first of three variations that I will sketch.  When I have completed them, I will decide which one I like the best and move forward towards refining the sketch to paint.

I've decided to try and do a sketch a day in February. This is from day 24. 

This is a rough sketch.

Here is a sketch of some daffodil flowers.  They have such a sweet allure...  I'm unsure if I'll paint this sketch or not, but I did enjoy sketching it. 

I've decided to try and do a sketch a day in February.  This is from day 25.  

This is a rough sketch.

Here is a sketch of a big eyed maiden.  She is gently swimming with her hair flowing in the water...  I think she is most likely a mermaid, although she could also be a fairy angel or a goddess.  I'm unsure if I'll paint her or not, but I did enjoy sketching her.

I've decided to try and do a sketch a day in February. This is from day 26. 

This is a rough sketch. 

Here is a sketch of a big eyed maiden.  She is inspired by the fairytale little red riding hood.  She is the second of three variations that I will sketch.  When I have completed them, I will decide which one I like the best and move forward towards refining the sketch to paint.

I've decided to try and do a sketch a day in February. This is from day 27. 

This is a rough sketch.

Here is a sketch of a summer bouquet.  I was so wrapt in the details, that I neglected to give one a stem, easily remedied enough though...  I'm unsure if I'll paint this or not, but I did enjoy sketching it. 

I've decided to try and do a sketch a day in February.  This is day 28.  

This is a rough sketch.

My Photograph of the Super Blue Blood Moon Lunar Eclipse Moonrise January 31st + Sketch of Phlox Flowers & a Big Eye Angel Fairy/ FEB 17 & 18 / Art Sketches Daily...

I took some photographs of the moonrise on January 31st.  I wasn't expecting any of my photos of the super blue blood moon lunar eclipse to come out, so I didn't check them until recently.  To my surprise a few of them did come out, this one was my favorite.  I hope that you will enjoy this photo!

I love to try to capture beauty, you may see some of my finished paintings at lisarusso.com if you'd like.

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Here is a sketch of some phlox flowers.  The have a wonderful charm to them...  I'm unsure if I'll paint this sketch or not, but I did enjoy sketching it. 

I've decided to try and do a sketch a day in February.  This is from day 17.  

This is a rough sketch. 

Here is a sketch of a big eyed gothic maiden.  She has a very sweet gaze...  I think she is most likely an angel fairy, although she could also be a mermaid or a goddess.  I'm unsure if I'll paint her or not, but I did enjoy sketching her.  

I've decided to try and do a sketch a day in February. This is day 18. 

This is a rough sketch. 

My Photograph of Some Stargazer Lilies + Sketch of a Lily Flower, Big Eye Mermaid, & Clematis Flowers/ January 29, 30, & 31 Art Sketches Daily...

These stargazer lilies were a gift that filled my home with joy, they sat beneath the window in the kitchen.  Lily flowers are a wonderful subject and I may someday sketch and/or paint from the photographs I took of these lovely flowers.  The rose nestled near the back was from our garden.  I hope that you will enjoy this photo!

I love to paint flowers, you may see some of my finished paintings at lisarusso.com if you'd like.

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Here is a sketch of a lily.  These flowers have such an allure...  I'm unsure if I'll paint it or not, but I did enjoy sketching it. 

I've decided to try and do a sketch a day in January.  This is from day 29.  

This is a rough sketch.

Here is a sketch of a big eyed maiden.  She is leaning over with her hair cascading down...  I think she is most likely a mermaid, although she could also be a fairy angel or a goddess.  I'm unsure if I'll paint her or not, but I did enjoy sketching her.

I've decided to try and do a sketch a day in January. This is from day 30. 

This is a rough sketch.

Here is a sketch of two clematis flowers.  I love the core of this flower...  I'm unsure if I'll paint it or not, but I did enjoy sketching it. 

I've decided to try and do a sketch a day in January.  This is day 31.  

This is a rough sketch.

My Photograph of a Pink Rose Flower at Huntington Gardens + Sketch of a Big Eye Angel, Siberian Iris Flower, & Fairy/ January 22, 23, & 24 Art Sketches Daily...

I took this photograph of this pink rose at Huntington Gardens in the winter.  There had just been some rain and the flower still has some droplets on it.  This rosebud looks like it's just starting to bloom.  I hope that you will enjoy this photo!

I love to paint flowers, you may see some of my finished paintings at lisarusso.com if you'd like.

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Here is a sketch of a big eyed gothic maiden.  She has a whimsical expression...  I think she is most likely a fairy angel, although she could also be a mermaid or a goddess.  I'm unsure if I'll paint her or not, but I did enjoy sketching her.

I've decided to try and do a sketch a day in January. This is from day 22. 

This is a rough sketch. 

Here is a sketch of a siberian iris flower.  Irises are amongst my favorite flowers...  I'm unsure if I'll paint it or not, but I did enjoy sketching it. 

I've decided to try and do a sketch a day in January.  This is from day 23.  

This is a rough sketch.

Here is a sketch of a big eyed maiden.  She has a sweet bow in her hair...  I think she is most likely an angel fairy, although she could also be a mermaid or a goddess.  I'm unsure if I'll paint her or not, but I did enjoy sketching her.  

I've decided to try and do a sketch a day in January. This is day 24. 

This is a rough sketch.

My Photograph of Bird of Paradise Flowers at Huntington Gardens + Sketch of an Amaryllis, Big Eye Angel, & Fairy/ January 15, 16, & 17 Art Sketches Daily...

I took this photograph of these bird of paradise flowers at Huntington Gardens in the winter.  There's less blooming at this time of year, but I thought these were so very lovely.  I hope that you will enjoy this photo!

I love to paint flowers, you may see some of my finished paintings at lisarusso.com if you'd like.

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Here is a sketch of an amaryllis flower.  I think they are bold and beautiful...  I'm unsure if I'll paint it or not, but I did enjoy sketching it. 

I've decided to try and do a sketch a day in January.  This is from day 15.  

This is a rough sketch.

Here is a sketch of a big eyed maiden.  This delicate beauty is wrapped in a cape and has a garland of leaves...  I think she is most likely an angel fairy, although she could also be a mermaid or a goddess.  I'm unsure if I'll paint her or not, but I did enjoy sketching her.  

I've decided to try and do a sketch a day in January. This from day 16. 

This is a rough sketch.

Here is a sketch of a big eyed gothic maiden.  She is looking upwards with a quixotic smile...  I think she is most likely a fairy angel, although she could also be a mermaid or a goddess.  I'm unsure if I'll paint her or not, but I did enjoy sketching her.

I've decided to try and do a sketch a day in January. This is day 17. 

This is a rough sketch. 

My Photograph of Flowers from a Tree at Huntington Gardens + Sketch of a Big Eye Mermaid, Fairy, & Angel/ December 4, 5, & 6 Art Sketches Daily...

I took photographs of a flowering tree at Huntington Gardens in the fall.  I thought this tree was gorgeous and luminous...  Here is a close up of the tree's flowers.  I'm not sure what the tree is called, in addition to being in bloom, it had thorns running up the body of the trunk.  I hope that you will enjoy this photo!

I love to paint flowers, you may see some of my finished paintings at lisarusso.com if you'd like.

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Here is a sketch of a big eyed maiden.  She seems to have an inquisitive nature...  I think she is most likely a mermaid, although she could also be a fairy angel or a goddess.  I'm unsure if I'll paint her or not, but I did enjoy sketching her.

I've decided to try and do a sketch a day in December. This is from day 4. 

I would like to try to reach a goal of 100 faces sketched on consecutive days, I started this effort on September 1st, 2017...  This is face 95. 

This is a rough sketch.

Here is a sketch of a big eyed maiden.  She has accented her face with tiger stripes...  I think she is most likely a fairy angel, although she could also be a mermaid or a goddess.  I'm unsure if I'll paint her or not, but I did enjoy sketching her.

I've decided to try and do a sketch a day in December. This is from day 5. 

I would like to try to reach a goal of 100 faces sketched on consecutive days, I started this effort on September 1st, 2017...  This is face 96. 

This is a rough sketch. 

Here is a sketch of a big eyed maiden.  She has sweetly curling hair...  I think she is most likely an angel fairy, although she could also be a mermaid or a goddess.  I'm unsure if I'll paint her or not, but I did enjoy sketching her. 


I've decided to try and do a sketch a day in December. This day 6.

I would like to try to reach a goal of 100 faces sketched on consecutive days, I started this effort on September 1st, 2017...  This is face 97.

This is a rough sketch.

My Photograph of a Flowering Tree at Huntington Gardens + Sketch of a Big Eye Fairy/ November 29 Art Sketches Daily...

I took this photograph of this flowering tree at Huntington Gardens in the fall.  I thought this tree was gorgeous and luminous...  If I remember, I'll try to post a close up of the tree's flowers in my next photo post.  I'm not sure what the tree is called, in addition to being in bloom, it had thorns running up the body of the trunk.  I hope that you will enjoy this photo!

I love to paint flowers, you may see some of my finished paintings at lisarusso.com if you'd like.

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Here is a sketch of a big eyed maiden.  She has a sweet quixotic gaze...  I think she is most likely a fairy angel, although she could also be a mermaid or a goddess.  I'm unsure if I'll paint her or not, but I did enjoy sketching her.

I've decided to try and do a sketch a day in November. This is day 29. 

I would like to try to reach a goal of 100 faces sketched on consecutive days, I started this effort on September 1st, 2017...  This is face 90. 

This is a rough sketch.

My Photograph of a Bird at Huntington Gardens + Sketch of a Big Eye Mermaid/ November 22 Art Sketches Daily...

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!  There is so much I am thankful for...

I took this photograph of this bird at Huntington Gardens, I believe it was in May.  I'm not sure what type of bird it was, but I thought is was so cute upside down and not to be dissuaded from whatever tasty goodies it was after...  I hope that you will enjoy this photo!

I love to paint animals, you may see some of my finished paintings at lisarusso.com if you'd like.

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Here is a sketch of a big eyed maiden.  She has a regal quality...  I think she is most likely a mermaid, although she could also be a fairy angel or a goddess.  I'm unsure if I'll paint her or not, but I did enjoy sketching her.

I've decided to try and do a sketch a day in November. This is day 22. 

I would like to try to reach a goal of 100 faces sketched on consecutive days, I started this effort on September 1st, 2017...  This is face 83. 

This is a rough sketch. 

My Photograph of Yellow Fall Flowers at Descanso Gardens + Art Sketches, November 13, 14, & 15/ Big Eye Goddess, Fairy, & Angel Daily Sketch...

I took this photograph of these yellow flowers at Descanso Gardens one fall year.  I'm not sure what they're called but I loved their little grouping of blossoms springing up from the greens.  I hope that you will enjoy this photo!

I love to paint flowers, you may see some of my finished paintings at lisarusso.com if you'd like.

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Here is a sketch of a big eyed maiden.  She wears an expression of serious contemplation...  I think she is most likely a goddess, although she could also be a fairy angel or a goddess.  I'm unsure if I'll paint her or not, but I did enjoy sketching her.

I've decided to try and do a sketch a day in November. This is from day 13. 

I would like to try to reach a goal of 100 faces sketched on consecutive days, I started this effort on September 1st, 2017...  This is face 74. 

This is a rough sketch. 

Here is a sketch of a big eyed gothic maiden.  She has an intent and curious nature...  I think she is most likely a fairy angel, although she could also be a mermaid or a goddess.  I'm unsure if I'll paint her or not, but I did enjoy sketching her.

I've decided to try and do a sketch a day in November. This is from day 14. 

I would like to try to reach a goal of 100 faces sketched on consecutive days, I started this effort on September 1st, 2017...  This is face 75. 

This is a rough sketch. 

Here is a sketch of a big eyed maiden.  She has a gentle quality...  I think she is most likely an angel fairy, although she could also be a mermaid or a goddess.  I'm unsure if I'll paint her or not, but I did enjoy sketching her.  

I've decided to try and do a sketch a day in November. This day 15. 

I would like to try to reach a goal of 100 faces sketched on consecutive days, I started this effort on September 1st, 2017...  This is face 76. 

This is a rough sketch.