Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Horizons.... Sky's the limit! - Part One


By simple dictionary definition "horizon" can mean... "an apparent line that divides earth and sky" or conversely it can be used to denote... "Limits of scope, interest, or knowledge".

As landscape artists, we all make use of the first definition as a crucial starting point from which to build the structure of each painting we begin. That use of "horizon" is finite and is universal in its application by us all.

However, the second definition of the term "horizon" can allude to infinite possibility... given one's willingness to explore and grow as a creative individual.

An artist from Quebec... whose work and personal creative philosophy "I" truly admire is Richard Monpetit. I only came into contact with his beautiful work through my own visits and work in Baie-Saint-Paul in Charlevoix, Quebec. There, I saw a few original pieces and was immediately drawn to his masterful application of paint and the quality of luminous light in all of his work. I managed to procure a copy of a catalogue of a hugely successful solo exhibition that he had been given at The Roberts Gallery in Toronto, Ontario. The title of that show was "Horizons".

I wish to quote the forward that he wrote for the introduction in that catalogue in this post verbatim... because, in its totality.... it might as well express my own personal philosophy regarding the act of painting. Perhaps "You" might also feel a sense of personal "recognition" within his words:

"On the whole, I am a traveler. No matter where I am I look with a certain distance to see and feel. My gaze on the present moment is possessed of a certain nostalgia, as if I were observing old photos.
Then everything is clear and I really see. Of course, I am painting the light, but studying the light is looking at time through days and nights, seasons, etc. So in a way my subject is time; time passing in our life, time that I would like to capture or at least remember when magic was present and express that I was there... I am there."

- Richard Monpetit

Aren't these wonder filled... beautiful thoughts to consider? Does it matter if the painting is "good" or "bad".... completed "en plein air"... or in one's studio... is saleable or not... is award winning or rejected?

What is so important is that each and every piece that you complete is unique... one-of-a-kind... an expression that records your personal view of a moment in your own journey. "You"... "alone" are the Creator and there should be value and "honourable mention" for that in itself. Be proud of that accomplishment and build upon it painting-by-painting... and by always reaching beyond the horizon as "You" presently see it. Paint... explore... read... workshop... share... and grow... all to become better and to increase the scope... the limits and the knowledge that you currently have gained.

Are "We" all... not on "Parallel" journeys... all headed towards the same limitless Horizon? Hope that "You" never "arrive". For it is the wondrous journey and not the destination that is important!

Fair journeys... and Good Painting... to all! Make... and discover your own "Magic"... and share it!



PS: Today's jpeg is last week's effort arising from a trip to Terra Nova, a smallish crossroads community located in the Blue Hills region near Collingwood on Georgian Bay. It is Terra Nova's proudest claim to be the highest point of land in all of Ontario. I could easily see the famed CN Tower in Toronto .... "on the distant horizon"... nearly 100 kilometres away. I go there because of the panoramic vista opportunities it provides... and to feel the always present prairie-like winds atop these vantage points. It is indeed a Heaven on earth... with buildings and barns like the one depicted... clinging on for dear life in spaces not yet bulldozed or beseiged by developers. Heaven on earth!

More to come... stay tuned!

16 comments:

  1. Ohhh... I LIKE your new "heading"... Very pretty...

    I love the thoughts that you and Mr. Monpetit expressed in this post... Very thought provoking and interesting... Thank you so much!!

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  2. Thank "You" Marian!... It is always a pleasure... and "I" am always happy to "talk" with "You"!

    Your outlook and your own painting journey is ALWAYS upbeat and uplifting... refreshing to visit your site and share process and ideas!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  3. Nothing beats prairie winds to bring whiffs of history and whiffs of hope. Beautiful words and thoughts to go along with this most gorgeous painting!

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  4. Thank "You" Autumn!... For visiting and for the compliments "You" left!

    Isn't it wonderful to learn that we never are really "alone"... in our daily life challenges... in our ideas and thinking... or our mutual appreciation for what is "plainly" evident ... and beautiful?

    Thank "You" for adding to my sentiments...

    "Whiffs of History... and whiffs of Hope"...

    "I" love that thought... and will hold on to it for works yet on... the Horizon!

    Good painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  5. Hi Bruce,
    This painting brings back so many memories of my childhood summers spent on the Bruce Penisula, up at Lion's Head. We passed farms and land that looked just like this and my heart will always be partly there!
    Nice handling of this subject and love the use of the complementary colours in the grasses. Richard Monpetit's statement touched home for me also...that is indeed what the subject is for all of us,...it it "time."

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  6. Hi again Karen... So good to hear from "You"! It makes "Me" feel good to stir treasured memories for "You". That is why "I" paint... to record what warms my own Soul... and what should matter to us all... heritage... and where we came from! One more instance of parallel lives and thoughts!

    Like Monpetit... "You" and "Me"... Time is the coin of our realm. After all is said and done... it is what one does with their time and the people that they share their time with... that remain to say that we were here.

    Good painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  7. Hi Bruce, once again I thank you. 1. for sharing the words of Richard Monpeit. I will google his name to see his work. Secondly for speaking words that I could never express but truly feel in my heart. And last but not least, your art work, such magnificent color and I wont say composition, it's more than that. Oh all I can say it's Brilliant!

    All the best to you

    Joan

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  8. Thank "You" Joan... for visiting again... but mostly for joining a circle of Friends... whose sole goal is to share ideas... events from our separate but often parallel journeys.

    In a world couched in competition and selfishness... it is both refreshing and encouraging to know that there are "Others"... who share Hope and Faith in working together.

    Good painting my Friend!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  9. Hello Bruce, very nice thoughts, its truth, just paint the journey. Your paintings are full of light and colour and take us to the place and the momment. Regards

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  10. Thank "You" Havi!.... For the compliments and for taking time to visit my site.

    Your comments about my work... in fact are what I found in your stunning... light-filled... and crisp watercolour renderings.

    Wonderful... that "We" can follow our hearts and find a medium suited to our differing needs and personalities... and come up with similar expressions of our often different landscapes.

    Good painting!
    Warm regards,
    Bruce

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  11. Lovely painting Bruce. It brings back memories of my distant youth...

    Your post brings up some things that all artist must sometimes struggle with and I must say I agree with the sentiment you shared with us here.

    Jeffrey

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  12. Thanks Jeffrey!... I very much value your opinion and admire your work as well!

    Painting... as with all things worthwhile in life involves struggling... and in the process learning from the valuable lessons that only adversity can teach one.

    It is comforting to be in touch with other fine artists who are both willing to struggle... and to share their journeys "unconditionally" with others.

    Good painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  13. The quote is Right On and I can relate to what he says. You're feeling it, breathing it, BEING THERE. I call myself a gypsy because I love to be 'in' the 'now' of a place. Any place.
    I like the painting very much. You created believable distance and height of the steep slope.
    You definitely know what's important in life.

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  14. Hi Mary!... Thanks for dropping by and for adding your wonderful comments of support... and "understanding"!

    "You" and "I"... Richard Monpetit... and a host of other dedicated and passionate painters really do "know what's important in life"... and constantly share it with others!

    Thank "You"... for always being willing to share!

    Good painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  15. Wonderful, Bruce! All of your lilacs are great - I'm certain that I'm getting the scent of lilacs coming through the monitor while I enjoy these paintings.

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  16. HAHA!!.... That's one "sweet" compliment... especially coming from "You" Linny... since I so admire your work and freshness of your painting approach and process!

    We both enjoy painting in themes. What better way is there to explore and expand upon... "the ordinary" in a simple subject to create an ambiance and fragrance... which transends the pictorial interests!

    Thank "You" for visiting... and for the lovely comment! "I" much appreciate your taking the time!

    Good Pianting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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