Lavender Fields - Week 6 - Watercolor Journaling Workshop

Tuesday morning the sky looked ominous. The weather report was calling for thunderstorms and some drops fell on my car as I approached Lavender Fields. With plans to show my students a few last things in the classroom for them to try out, I decided they should go out and sketch among the lavender while the weather held and if it started raining we would then go inside and work. Mother Nature smiled on us and the clouds held their moisture - and contrarian that she is, by the time an hour had passed the sun came out! No matter, they had plenty of time to add more sketches to their journals, and it was a very satisfying morning out in the garden.

Inside, I had them experiment with different kinds of watercolor paper and with some of my larger watercolor brushes just to get the feel of it and gave them some handouts I thought they might find useful. MaryAnn served lavender scones and lavender lemonade (yummmm - and both available for purchase in the gift shop!) which we all enjoyed. She invited us upstairs to see all the bunches of lavender hanging from the rafters to dry - what a sight and smell - and told us that by the end of summer it would be full of lavender.

We took my traditional "end of Workshop group photo" with this happy bunch and said our good-byes.  MaryAnn said requests were made for a "reunion" some time in the fall so I expect we'll gather again at this magical place. I'll post dates for anyone else who would like to join in on a day at Lavender Fields that might include lunch or perhaps a Victorian Tea! (offered there on select Saturdays - call 302-947-9436 for information or to make a reservation.)

Looking for things to do in Delaware? Visit the Lavender Fields at Warrington Manor - especially right now while the lavender is at its peak! 18864 Cool Spring Road, Milton, DE 302-947-9436.

Photo essay from our last session:

Not just lavender grows at Lavender Fields!

Carl telling me about taking care of the lavender

Suzanne having fun sketching the plants

Observing and sketching in the lavender fields

Lavender, up close and personal - notice the bees buzzing around!

Reneta pulling weeds while Linda sketches

Reneta always wears purple to work in the gardens

There's Linda, sitting pretty sketching the house and gardens

Lovely lush lavender fields with barn and silo

A wheelbarrow filled with bunches of lavender that Carl harvested

Carl harvesting the lavender

MaryAnn painting (notice the pen in her mouth!)

Linda enjoying journaling at this beautiful place

Linda's silos in her journal

Jessica had a great time drawing the flowers

Suzanne mixing greens 

Kathleen using the waterbrush to add color

Lavender Fields is at its peak! Never knew there was also white lavender!

House of the owners and one of the flower gardens