After the very wet month of May June brought in the summer. Rhododendrons and Azaleas are now at their best. Viburnum mariesii and the ground cover succulent Delosperma nubigenum ad to the variety of flowers at their best.
 |
| White and pink Japanese azaleas |
 | ||
| White Viburnum mariesii above the yellow Delosperma nubigenum |
 | ||
Azaleas with palm tree at the back
|
 |
| Azalea Vyuks Red |
A late winter of snow and daily frosts tried to dampen down the tulip displays, but warm afternoon sunny spells helped them recover. After many years of adding a few bulbs each autumn tulips are now established in large colourful drifts all over the garden.
 |
| Tulips underplanted with drifts of grape hyacinths |
 |
| Tulips have their moment in the spotlight, then Peonia Doreen and Delphiniums will take over for a summer display of flowers. |
 |
| Large Darwin Hybrid tulips |
 |
| These tulips are underplanted with oriental lilies to flower in summer |
 |
| These strong tall Darwin Hybrid tulips rise above a drift of aconites which have now finished flowering. |
 |
| Apeldoorn (red), Golden Apeldoorn and white Haakun tulips |
The recent warmer weather, after the snow melted has brought out the young crocus flowers, enjoying a bit of sunshine. Had to take a few photos. However I also went mad with the camera when the snow blizzard gave us a foot of snow. Went up to City Road Allotments for a few ideas for snow scenes, but deep snow was covering too many interesting garden sheds and greenhouses. First winter landscape in acrylic completed. More information on my website at www.johnstoa.com
 |
| Mixed crocus amongst the heathers |
 |
| Winter on the Allotment |
 | |
| Yellow crocus and Erica carnea Springwood Pink |
Another winter landscape at Auchterhouse just outside Dundee painted in acrylic on board.
Back in the Scottish Highlands in the Trossachs with Loch Lubnaig and Ben Ledi in winter.
 | ||||
| Old Auchterhouse |
 |
| Loch Lubnaig and Ben Ledi |
This winter landscape painting is in Glencoe on the banks of Loch Achtriochtan. This acrylic in on a box canvas size 12 x 16 inches. I just received ten box canvases from Art Discount so my next snow scenes will all be on 12 x 16 inch box canvas.
 |
| Loch Achtriochtan in Glencoe |
Winter landscape paintings continue with this Scottish snow scene of a farm at the Spittal of Glenshee.
This is painting number 1844. This acrylic painting on canvas is 24 x 18 inches unframed.
 |
| Farm in Glenshee |
Snowdrops and aconites are coming into flower despite a few frosty nights, but then we are in a short dry spell as snow bypasses Dundee again.
Continue to work on winter landscapes at the easel with a snow scene on the Cottage in Glen Clova.
 |
| Early snowdrops |
 |
| Winter aconites |
 |
| Cottage in Glen Clova |
A new project to start 2021 is my plan to paint a series of Scottish landscapes in winter followed by a few allotment plots in winter. These will be based on images from my City Road Allotment Gardens. I have already done about 20 allotment plots in all seasons, but these will all be snow pictures
 |
Glencoe Village with the Paps of Glencoe in winter |
 | |
Winter in Glen Clova looking towards Glen Doll |
 |
Auchmithie in Winter |
 |
Loch Fyne |
Most folks will be glad to see the end of 2020, to be remembered as the year Covid virus emerged and infected people all around the world. We all endured a year of isolation to prevent the virus spreading, but I feel I was one of the lucky ones. Although in lockdown all year, I have a big garden and allotment for fresh fruit and vegetables, so exercise and a healthy diet keeps us strong, and at home in my studio an artist is at peace in the world of artistic creativity.
My last three paintings finished for 2020 are shown below.
 |
| Random Thoughts |
 |
| Journey into Colour |
Two are semi abstracts and one a winter snow scene landscape in the Spittal of Glenshee. This view was taken from the back of the Spittal of Glenshee Hotel before it got burnt down.
 |
| Spittal of Glenshee |
December was a very wet month so the garden got a rest and I spent some time at the easel.
Three figure studies completed using the contrasts of light against dark with both sunlight and studio lighting. The first study was Enjoying the Sun
The next study Into the Night was indoors using back lighting and the last one was Time to Relax.
 | ||||||
| Enjoying the Sun |
 |
| Time to Relax |
 | ||
| Into the Night |
