We have really enjoyed building up our pollinator garden over the past few years. During the summer months, our outdoor space is a buzz with bees indulging in the nectar of our black-eyed susans and sedum, among others. I've captured some close-up images of our bee friends in order to paint them. I have to say, they are fun to paint! Here's the first: Two Honey Bees. This one is for sale, and "bee" on the lookout for more...

“The hum of bees is the voice of the garden” ~ Elizabeth Lawrence

Last week I was delighted to receive a few jars of Fat Bottomed Girl Honey, a raw Wildflower Honey from Michigan. To show my gratitude, I painted this little watercolor of the honey jar for Kerry, the bee keeper. I was thrilled to at last find inspiration to paint these vibrant bees. I love these little moments that fuel my love of painting in watercolor. So thank you Kerry for the inspiration and for the honey which is so delicious! 

Some Fun Facts about Honey and HoneyBees:

• A single honeybee will only produce approximately 1/12th of a teaspoon of honey in its lifetime. To make one pound of honey, bees must visit about 2 million flowers and fly over 55,000 miles.
• Honey never spoils.
• The natural hydrogen peroxide in honey, along with other compounds like phenolic acids and flavonoids, gives it antibacterial effects.