Thursday, July 1, 2010

New Horizons... and Shifting Perspectives- Part One



I arrived back in Canada on Monday... very enriched from my Scotland sojourn... yet exceedingly happy to be ..."Home". When "I" first arrived in Scotland... and was unpacking my luggage in my single room at the Yorkston Bed and Breakfast in St Andrew's... "I" discovered a decorative handcrafted envelope. It contained a beautiful and uplifting card designed and created by my Wife and Soul Mate Deb. It read:

Where we love is Home-
Home that our feet may leave,
But not our hearts.
-Oliver Wendell Holmes

These sentiments did not at all make "Me" feel homesick. They were in fact, uplifting words from Deb that both empowered and propelled "Me" forward comfortably and fearlessly... knowing that "Home" was in my heart... and that "Home" was within reach at any given moment. "I" knew too, that there was a warm Home and "Heart" awaiting my return when this adventure into a new... exciting and very different world was complete.

Despite being greatly fatigued after a seven hour flight... a 0445 arrival at Glasgow Airport... combined with a three hour lay over at the Buchanan Bus Terminal and a three hour bus coach trip to reach St Andrew's, I unpacked quickly and launched out into the university town of St Andrew's in search of adventure... and of course... painting material!

What awaited "Me" was indeed adventure and a virtual dream world for a plein air painter. Everywhere I looked... ancient and magnificently crafted stone architecture... cobbled streets... and students in university blazers... kilts... "coats/capes of many colours"... heading every-which-way it seemed. "I" was engulfed in a sea of new sounds... smells and faces... adrift from my usual surroundings... in a strange world (for "ME")... a world lying in description... somewhere between Fantasyland... and Harry Potter!

Purely "Magical".... in every sense of the word!

"I" toured about... purely exploring... feeling... seeing... smelling... never worried about destination...or GPS location. Much like hunter-gatherer societies... I "walked about"... discovering... uncovering resources that "I" could later count on for all of my needs. Restaurants... post office... art supply store... library (FREE Internet and email service)... water closets (toilets)... gift shops for souvenir purchases... bus stops and schedules to various destinations of interest...and most importantly... potential painting sites like the old fishing harbour.

All of these new influences left my head and my hands swimming in uncertainty... as "I" tried vainly to settle down to work. Just as the sudden eruption of bright rich fall colours seem to disorient my painting process... so did this strange new landscape and architectural plethora of exciting painting opportunities. Even the light and colour were very different because of the difference in geographical position. All of these changes presented the challenge of creating an entirely different "point of view"... or "perspective" for my Self... and "I" had to shift away from my usual process... and adjust to these changes... and with haste!

I found a convenient restaurant... ate and I retired to the quiet of my room and tried to digest what I had seen... to get a good night's rest and to formulate a plan to be followed on the next morning. Before turning in...I decided to get an early start and to head up the coast to Crail... a popular and picturesque fishing village located less than an hour by bus coach from St Andrew's.

The weather was perfect! Nearly cloudless skies... bright sunlight and cool temperatures made the trek enjoyable and productive. I managed to cram in many photo references and still managed to make the two nice painterly sketches... combining pen and ink with quickly applied watercolour washes that accompany this post. "I" was met with much enthusiasm and interest by both locals and tourists alike during the painting periods. It always seems that one meets the very best of people when one is painting on location. "I" personally enjoy the interaction with people "I" meet and feel little distraction by most. I consider I have a role to share my passion for painting with anyone who shows genuine interest. "I" also believe that knowledge is meant to be communicated... used and to be shared - not to be withheld for personal betterment alone. That's the belief that "I" work under - choices, "I" guess!

In closing Part One... "I" encountered my first real need to "shift perspectives"... while on the flight travelling to Scotland. Having left Toronto on a 5:30 pm flight... we had passed over Quebec and Labrador... heading on our flight path over Iceland just as the sun was setting on the horizon. How strange "I" found it... that the sun seemed to halt its descent at the horizon... and for the next couple of hours... it was again rising... with absolutely no period of night in between! What does such a phenomenon do to one's "perspective? Shifted it for sure! Within three short hours that perspective would be shifted yet again... by the new world "I" found my Self parachuted into... and with the very same degree of disorientation.

Stay tuned for Part Two... which will further describe yet more "shifts in perspective"... with the celebration of Allison's Convocation at St Andrew's College-my real reason for the trip to Scotland!

12 comments:

  1. Hi Bruce,

    Let me be the first to welcome you back. I am looking forward to Part Two. Your journal is just as interesting as your words. Yours sketches are amazing . Happy to hear you enjoyed your trip and congratulations to Allison.

    All the best to you.

    Joan

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  2. Thank "You" Joan... for your ALWAYS friendly face and greetings! It is always my pleasure to share and chat with "You".

    Lots more to report... It was purely magical in every aspect... and most especially our celebration with dear Allison... her colleagues and her friends! A pinnacle of joy and pride in our family life!

    Good Painting!'
    And my warmest regards to "You"!
    Bruce

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  3. Your sketches are great and I enjoyed reading your post.

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  4. Thank "You" Linda!... For your visit... and for the encouraging comment!

    Glad that the post appealed to "You"! I visited your site and loved your "Girl With Texas Boots" piece! A great title... and imaginative subject!

    Wonderful how outdoor experiences can yield such intensely personal and interesting opportunities!

    Good Painting!
    Warm regards,
    Bruce

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  5. You're definitely going to come home with a slightly different outlook on the world after traveling so far from home. What a fun adventure!

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  6. Hi again Katherine!... Thank "You" for visiting... and for your comments!

    "Slightly different"... is a very meagre term to really describe my "change in outlook on the world" as a result of this adventure Katherine.

    Travel... as "I" am suggesting in this post changes one's own perspective about the world of "Others"... but more importantly it "shifts" one's own (often smug... even arrogant) perspective by expanding one's own tolerance of differences... and most certainly... in my own case causes "Me" to reflect more carefully upon my goals... my motivation... and the very rich blessings that exist in my "ordinary"... seemingly everyday life... at "Home".

    Thank "You" for taking the time to visit and leave your meaningful comments. "I" deeply appreciate your sending them along!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  7. Bruce, both of these sketches are so beautiful and so very frame-worthy. I love the colors and your style in both of them and wish I could see these places with my own eyes. I was reminded of similar scenes I've seen painted by another blogger (Gillian), for some reason. Maybe because I know she lives in a similar looking location...At any rate, I love hearing of your shifting perspective...

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  8. Thank "You" Autumn... for yet another visit and for your very encouraging words of praise.

    Fife and St Andrew's are in general breathtakingly beautiful... with every nook... alley way and chimney pot providing more than enough for a prime plein air start!

    Stay tuned for more "shifting"... my perspective is in constant motion. Every day brings new ideas and thoughts about... painting... living... changing... and mostly...sharing with wonderful souls like "You"!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  9. It sounds like you are having a magnificent time and that you are really missed and appreciated. That is really wonderful!!
    I love you sketches... Fabulous!

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  10. Hello Bruce,

    It's hard to believe you've been and gone already - time seems to be flying by at the moment.

    It sounds like you had a wonderful time in Scotland. Your sketches have caught the atmosphere of the ancient fishing village beautifully.

    I'm looking forward to reading the second installment.

    All the best,
    Keith

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  11. Thank "You" Marian for dropping by and for your compliment!

    Travel is a very broadening and awakening experience... one that surely reshapes one's ideas... opinions and tolerance for change.
    It has been so for "Me"... in so many ways which "I" hope to share with "You" and others who embrace the idea and need for personal growth and positive change.

    Good Painting Marian!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  12. Hello to "You" Keith!... Sorry that time and schedules did not allow us the opportunity we had hoped for to share time. Next trip for sure... and there will be a next trip for certain!

    Crail was indeed my absolute favourite village to paint in... even made a few friends there in my short stay. Very friendly and generous folk!

    I did visit Pittemweem and Elie as well... both having their own unique charm as well.

    I hope that my posts do justice to the beauty and historic wonder of these special Scottish destinations.

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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