Fallen Leaves

Yesterday I began a new painting!

My two favourite seasons are spring and autumn.  I love seeing new life poking through the last mounds of snow in the spring and in autumn I am fascinated by plants as they let go of their visible life and make way for the long winter rest.

I came across some fallen leaves on the path under our oak tree and was amazed at the clarity and colour - I am also amazed at the pictures my iPad takes!  They are so clear and vivid.  After several days of pondering I decided to paint the leaves in watercolour.  First, I set up on excel the size I want the final painting to be, then I print it.  I also make a smaller print because it is usually just a tad more colourful than the large printing. As I paint I refer to both.  Then it is time to begin the slow transfer using carbon paper on to the watercolour paper.  While tedious it is necessary - and if I did not do it this way it would take me hours longer to draw out and transfer.  For many years artists have projected images on to paper then traced them.  This is the hidden, necessary structure behind the final painting.  Taking the photo is the inspiration:)

Then begins the slow meditative push and pull of water and paint, the adjustments of colour.  Where to begin is usually a conundrum. This time I turned the picture around and began at the top.  Then there is the wondering if I will actually be able to put together a harmonious blending of colours, if I will lose the light/white places which are essential in watercolours.  Now, after two days of work I am at the stage where I am liking what I see and want to proceed.

I know there are many hours before this painting is finished but I thought I'd share its beginnings as a way of reminding us all to appreciate the beauty of autumn's endings.

Roses

Just finished a small study of peachy-yellow roses.  Approximately 8 x 10" and done in watercolour.

It took some time but the much larger "White Roses" painting sold at the gallery this last month.  I think roses and peonies are the most interesting flowers to paint.

One more set of rapids....

Well I think I've finished with rapids for now!!  Here is the second painting... not sure I like how it turned out but I'm tired of it for the moment so any changes may need to wait for awhile:)

Rapids.2  [30" x 40" acrylic]

It's been a long time!

Summer weekends when I was growing up often found our family packing the car, loading up the trailer, and travelling north to the lake country.  We had our favourite lakes but they all had a smell and freshness along with a beauty which stays with you.

"Many years ago" I actually spent time canoeing the Churchill River system and even swam Otter Rapids.  A recent request for a painting of one of the many rapids in the system reminded me of my "yesterdays" and gave me a longing to travel north - must write that into next summer's agenda!!

Here is the painting - a compilation of a number of views so it could likely be one of many different rapids.  I actually enjoyed doing it and was pleased that I did not need to fight with the acrylics as is often my habit...  maybe I am settling into using them - finally.

Rapids.1   [30" x 40" acrylic]

Big Sky Artists at Cowan Lake

Ten of us traveled north to Cowan Lake for several days in the forest and by the lake.  What a refreshing break in the midst of colder weather which was threatening an early fall.  But we have had a reprieve and I'm so thankful for the sunshine and warmth this week.

A few photos from the trip:

holiday vignettes

So many interesting things to see…..

 

 

summer's peaceful moments...

We are so blessed to live in a place of peace and tranquility - with occasional outbursts such as "watching cops chasing guys down the street at 4:30am" which one of our son's just posted on Facebook….[he works nights].  But such happenings are infrequent and when compared to lives of people in many areas of the world I am reminded to cherish life and to cherish even more the many instances when we experience an extra measure of tranquility and joy.

Other than the beautiful sunsets, vegetation, and flowers which have been an incredible feast for our eyes and souls this summer I have entered here a few added moments I have experienced.

tea with a friend

smoothies after working in the yard

evening prayers at St George's Cathedral - first time I had been in this beautiful place

downtown in the early evening - I love the lights and reflections!

Coffee with Doug at an outside cafe sheltered but enjoying the cloudburst!

Devin Cuddy band - our son Geoff opened for them.  This took place during a thunderstorm and when the power went off acoustic guitars replaced the electric and a homey evening became even more homey….  the windows on either side of the upper stage gave us a great view of the lightening and rain.

And... it is always a privilege to have the time and space to paint….

There are times when working on a painting I want to throw up my hands in despair!!  If I make it through these moments then the piece will usually come to some acceptable conclusion.  This painting of two young people walking down Broadway Avenue took several weeks to complete [I will let it sit for a few weeks now and have another look to see if I need to twig a few things before giving it a final coat of varnish].  It is large:  48 x 36 inches and there were numerous moments I wanted to give up - but I had determined to learn to paint street scenes and this is my first acrylic one.  Feel free to make suggestions if you see something which might be corrected/changed.

I did this view because it was taken on a peaceful early summer afternoon… and the shade along the street makes the light and dark spaces very interesting.  When I began I had no idea the number of perspective considerations I would need to take into account!! But I hope I got most of them correct.

Along the Avenue - acrylic, August 2014

Peace to you…