Jocelyn Curry

Art & Joie de Vivre

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As a retired lettering artist and illustrator, I still create a lot of visuals and have fun doing it. My website is a place I can post and share them from my Shoreline, Washington studio in my home.

In the Golden Throat of the Lily

November 23, 2025

Did I need a deep plunge into a new blog site, right when such a time-consuming challenge really didn’t fit into my crowded calendar? The answer, no surprise, is “no” but at least I was able to navigate the mind-befuddling process of transferring the data from my old platform to this new, AI-enhanced version of good ol’ WordPress. My previous experience of working on good ol’ WordPress wasn’t stellar, so I’m hoping to improve my relationship with it asap. So far I have been able to upload my seasonally appropriate squash painting! But now, HOW do I get rid of “Hello World!” which was placed there by Good Ol. I’m not sure about this, but I think Good Ol’s default tips will stay on this, my First Post until I figure out how to discretely remove them without being told “This is not a good idea.” At least I got my squash up on this new site for your viewing pleasure! Happy Thanksgiving :-).

August Floral final

DSCF5753 

Last month I posted a detail of a watercolor and sumi painting I had started. As promised, I am posting "the final" version, although I'm not sure it is truly, finally complete. I think it needs something more, but I remember the cautionary words: If it looks like it needs something more, take something away.

Here is the text I have written: 

In the golden throat of the lily, and in the crimson folds of the hollyhock, lie the mystery of pigments – how from soil and water come such colors? A leafhopper, slim as a sliver – a green blade of a bug – leaps away. The garden in August sings and it simmers in color. The eye of the dahlia is a tiny sun, its gilded points lying in lavender waves. At this time, blossoms fade too quickly. The air is dry. September looms. But there are other pleasures: zephyrs scented with jasmine & honeysuckle. August so vivid, August so fragrant!

The painting is done on a full sheet of Arches 140 lb. cold press watercolor paper, with Winsor & Newton paints and Yasutomo sumi ink.

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3 responses to “In the Golden Throat of the Lily”

  1. Claire M Avatar
    Claire M

    This is a very interesting and lively composition. Lovely.

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  2. Molly Hashimoto Avatar
    Molly Hashimoto

    I admire how you changed the pen width and density of text for the vase–it really works well to express the weight of the vase, and contrasts beautifully with the airiness of the flowers and ground.

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  3. Marilyn McGuire Avatar
    Marilyn McGuire

    J.,
    I love the movement you got with your pen work! So pretty.

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