Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Spring it would seem... has Sprung


We have enjoyed about a week now of sun and elevated temperatures into the plus side of things. Birds everywhere are in good voice... and creeks have started to open up and run black as they always do in early spring.Geese are getting rambunctious and noisy signalling a rapidly approaching new mating season. Local maple syrup producers have set out their pails and lines to make our annual liquid gold- Maple Syrup!

I headed out this morning intent upon taking advantage of the bright skies and warm temperatures to paint outdoors. I had a destination in mind... but soon found my Self inebriated by the colour and plethora of possible subjects... ranging from a small herd of frisky Percheron horses... to squadrons of aerobatic Snowbirds in still whitened fields.. to drumming pails of a roadside sugar bush. Where to settle into some serious work? That was a difficult task for this visually drunken sailor!

I remembered a site where I could paint uninterrupted.. and where I knew the conditions would be perfect. I had painted Michael Holm's century homestead on Gauthier Road on another occasion, but felt that I had "missed the mark" on it, simply because I hadn't considered the best view initially. The old homestead... a still standing relic from our earliest French settlement in the Huronia area, bears the architectural trappings and detail that one finds in rural Quebec. Its mansard roof... minus the usual dormer windows is the giveaway factor. Such roofs were adapted to shed the heavy winter snow loads that both places experience every winter.

Michael came out for a quick visit on his way to do chores at his brother's nearby farm. Both were born and raised on this farm. Michael lives with his wife in the house... and they will likely be its last human inhabitants. This agrarian lifestyle is quickly waning... and with it the end of a part of our early pioneer history.I so enjoy recording these remnants.. and sharing time to learn of the unique stories that these simple living,hard working farm folk are so willing to share. My painting will likely at some point form the sole/soul record of this house's existence. That's reason enough to spend an afternoon painting... and enjoying... life in another time... at a slower pace!

After two and a half hours of pleasurable painting... I felt I could pay a visit just down the road to a small stream in a woodland setting... and add a small "run-for-the-sun" 10x12 panel to complete a great day of plein air painting... but... That's another story... for another day!

Good Painting to All... and Happy Spring!!!

8 comments:

  1. It's so easy to become entranced by a great scene outside!
    Glad you are enjoying it... Always love to see your work.

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  2. Hi Marian!... Always a pleasure to have "You" visit! Thank you for your encouragement!

    Looks like your own current great Mexican scenes with your compadre Frank Gardner have "You" entranced as well! Enjoy! Hi to Frank!

    Good painting my Friend!
    Warm regards,
    Bruce

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  3. Bruce,
    Funny, I just posted a snow scene with a barn...and popped over here to see what you have been up too...i must say..mine is a whole lot "simpler" than yours. well done Bruce!

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  4. Like Julie I just popped over to see what you were up after noticing you had started to follow my blog for which I am honoured. Like Julie I am in awe of your work. Strange though you are talking about spring and my thought for today is about the same topic. Thanks again I look forward to seeing more of your blog.

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  5. Hi again Julie!... Thanks for your enthusiasm and interest in my my newest piece! I enjoyed visiting your site to see your "take" on a Spring "barnscape". Simply beautiful... warm colour... expressive... searching brushwork! So no difference in my mind really... just that each of us is guided by our own artistic environments... interests... instincts and intuition. Marvelous isn't it? The same.. yet different!

    Good Painting!
    Warm regards,
    Bruce

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  6. Hi Ralph! ..... Thank "You" for your visit... encouragement and for becoming a Follower!It is "I" who is honoured to make your aquaintance and to share thoughts and ideas about Art... Spiritualism and Life with another open-minded equal!

    "I" would feel much more comfortable if "We" met without "awe" getting in the way of learning... as it often can. "I" share openly about my work and my Self... to encourage others to share and grow as "I" have through Friendship and Mentorship. These relationships facilitate a comfort zone where the exchange of knowledge and learning can proceed without fear of comparison... or "failure"...a word which "I" view is often used as a misnomer. Could it also be called " a learning opportunity"?

    "I" wonder!... a matter of choice I guess!

    Look forward to further visits aand "conversations...

    Good Painting!
    Regards,
    Bruce

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  7. Just found your blog. What interesting reading ... and lucky you living in God's country. Visit as often as I can and bring back so much work-in-progress I have to stop and think before I lay brush to canvas.
    I am not the artist you are .... a late starter struggling still to find my way in this exciting realm.
    Thanks for your thoughts and for sharing
    Regards, Ruby

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  8. Hi Ruby!... Thank "You" for taking the time to visit... and for commenting upon your findings here!

    "I" am... indeed blessed to be living where "I" presently... it is a haven for "Me"... and my artisan wife from the din elsewhere.

    More importantly however... is that "I" am... Living... able to continue to learn... and to share... and to meet other like-minded individuals like yourself... who have a passion for creating.

    I guess that I am achieving what "I" set out to achieve in creating and posting regularly to this blog. It is designed purely to create a forum for discussion and sharing of my ideas and experiences... and those of "Others" across vast distances.

    "I" may never physically meet "You"... but we are now "acquainted". Now "You" decide the value of incorporating whatever ideas pique your interests and needs to advance your own artistic journey.

    Starting late is irrelevant Ruby.. it's that "You" have started... and are on your own magnificent journey of "Self" discovery!!

    Do keep in touch.... "I" would love to see some of your work!

    Fair Journey!... and Good Painting!
    Regards,
    Bruce

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