Tuesday, January 18, 2011

A Meeting of Seasons ...


An unfortunate mishap which happened on Sturday cutailed my plans to work further on the weekend. We had blizzard conditions and sub-zero tepmperatures here that deposited over a foot of snow. Travel was sketchy... but I needed a few items to prepare the evening meal... co I headed out in the weather to Craighurst... about a ten minute drive. I got there all right... but on my way into the food store... I slipped on a place which was unshovelled or salted at the entrance and found my feet above my body in a millisecond.

I landed on my elbow thankfully... which broke my fall... but the back of my head continued back and struck the sharp and unforgiving undercarriage of one of a long line of shopping carts. I was stunned for a moment... and knew when I felt my head... that I had a substantial head wound. I managed to stem the flow of.... and went inside... wad of paper towel under my ball cap... and completed my shopping. The rest of the afternoon was spent at the ER in Midland... and I came a way with a tetanus jab... and six staples in my noggin'... no airport departures for sure... evene tho' I did see stars for a brief second.

Today's session was fruitful and encouraging! I had mapped out a strategy to work up the mid to bottom portion of Winter (on the extreme right). This required glazing in layers of colour to the snow passages... then adding broken strokes of other hues to give the snow the lighting effect that I desired. I then worked at "knitting together" the two adjacent seasons to create a natural and gradual transition. I believe that I achieved that. I will tweak it more at the conclusion.

I then moved to the mid to left side of the project working towards the same goal... to create a subtle believable transition from summer to Spring. At the end of the day... I was pleased with the growth of the project. I can see the final state in my head at this point... so with the lay in nearly at a close... I will prepare my Self for the final push... adding vertical elements and a minimum of detail so that I don't lose the painterly quality already evident.

I have a couple more ideas I might consider... but there still on the back burner. They may... or may not enter the picture. Stay tuned for the next stage. MY deadline for completion will be Friday... or sooner! Delivery date for the show is next Tuesday!Keep your fingers crossed for "Me"!

Good Painting to All!


14 comments:

  1. Bruce! You poor man! Ouch!! (Yes, 2 exclamation marks). Thank goodness you're okay - now. I must say that your painting looks FABULOUS! WOW. You've done beautiful transitions. The whole thing is gorgeous. I bet this is just stunning in real life.
    Take care of yourself Mr. Sherman!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I am just thankful to know you are relatively ok, Bruce! Yikes!! This painting is so very rich, so deep and gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  3. "I...knew when I felt my head... that I had a substantial head wound. I managed to stem the flow of.... and went inside... wad of paper towel under my ball cap...and completed my shopping."

    Hi Bruce, you Canadians must be made of strong stuff!

    The painting is looking great.

    All the best,
    Keith

    ReplyDelete
  4. You really are a hardy wee soul aren't you! going shopping after 'a substantial head wound'!you must have been very hungry! The painting looks very impressive, take care on that snow and ice lad!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hello Grimsby!... None the worse for wear Kim! Just a freaky accident... but it certainly points out clearly how one's life can be changed by Fate... without giving notice and change the course of things in unimaginable ways... only seconds before. Thank goodness mine was just a few staples... "I" am... once again...Blessed!

    The painting now seems to be within reach of my Friday deadline again... I made up good ground yesterday for sure! Back in "The Flow"... and REALLY anxious to get down to work this morning...... after some grocery shopping! I'm wearin' my hockey helmet!HAHA!!!

    Thanks for your continued support and friendship Kim! Love your Men and Their Faces project - Keep "shufflin' the deck"!

    Good painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Sherry!... Thanks for your visit... concern and encouragement... alll make my day SUNNY!! Thank "You"!

    I am "back in the saddle again"... and in "THe Flow"... rarin' to go... and go "I" will all day today! Sub-zero weather down from the teens yesterday... really strange patterns of weather... everywhere! So glad to be in the studio!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi there Keith!... Thanks for your visit and comments!

    Canadian... EH? Yes... but "the strong stuff comes from my Andrew Wallace Bruce (Birrell) Sherman genes I think! Hearty Scot... Brave Heart... that kinda "stuff" Keith!

    We are... where we come from for sure! "I" am a proud... passionate Canadian for sure... but I am a proud Scot... at heart as well!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Caroline!... Thanks for your visit and kind, encouraging words!

    I will admit to loving my "vittles"... especially my morning porridge... hearty vegetable/leeky soup... scones and strawberry jam. See where this is going Caroline. Lines up directly... and is in concert with my comment back to Keith!

    Much of "Me" is the bi-product of my Scottish heritage... including my passion for the outdoors... and places wild... like your own beloved Highland "hide-away"!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

    ReplyDelete
  9. So glad you survived your trip to town, but really awful about having to spend time in emergency getting stapled back together! As for being a hearty Scots, Canadian I relate! My great grandfather was born and raised in Edinburgh - Millars of the McFardlane clan! My Mother raised me with a dyed in the wool (kilt wool!) predisposition to the love of bagpipes (I even tried to learn to play them as a teenager). The Canadian part of you was typically forgiving in that you have obviously chosen NOT to sue anyone for not properly shoveling and salting that slippery spot. We don't litigate - we just say we're "sorry" for inconveniencing anyone with our little complaints and ask for a hug:-) LOVE how the painting is coming along! A winner!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Dear Bruce,
    So glad to hear you are okay. I love the progress you are making. It's wonderful how you managed to continue on , you certainly are a trooper.

    Without sounding redundant, You are an inspiration on so many levels. Art,dedication, commitment, etc. etc.

    Did I mention how much of love this painting your are working on, it's brilliant!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh no! I'm so sorry you went through that awful experience. I think it's very traumatic to even fall down, let alone to sustain a bloody head injury, in the middle of a busy store, and have to go to the ER! I'm surprised you bounced back as readily as you did! I would still be shaken up for weeks. You've shown great inner strength and conviction. I admire your spirit. Your art for the show is absolutely stunning. I hope it all goes well for you.

    ReplyDelete
  12. HI Karen!... Thanks for your encouragement!Glad that "You" like the painting!

    See! Again we share many "intersections in our journeys! No matter that we are interested in painting in separate genres... our lives... principles... life experiences are strangely entwined... and somewhat the same.... EH?

    Sue? That word irks "Me"... in the way it is used by many these days. Liability is always an important issue to keep in mind when you own and operate a premise. Weather in these parts is vicious and unforgiving... so one has to be REALLY vigilant to cover one's responsibility. We do here at The Paint Box Gallery.

    Be assured that I will be talking personally to the owner/ manager of the (negligent) food outlet about the cause and possible outcome my "event" could have... "might have"... if somehow this unfortunate incident resulted in my being impaired or disabled. Those would be the only conditions for legal action on my behalf...EXCEPT if I don't see intent and action ASAP to remedy the situation for the rest of his customers. Just my thoughts!

    Getting back to the easel and painting heals "Me" as quickly as the staples. Put the energy and where it can work positively. Worry is anything but positive... and shows no dividends at the end of the day!

    Look forward to tomorrow's session! Stay tuned... Wish "Me" luck!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi Friend Joan!... Glasd to hear from "You" again ... and to see you pushin' the pigment so well at your end of the brush! Lovely... fresh work Joan!

    Thank "You" for all of the ingratiating superlatives Joan. If my blog helps "You... or any one else "out there"... then the effort is worth it at this end!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi Katherine!... Thanks for stopping by and for the "peppy" comments that you left!

    I am really plesed with the outcome of this particular part of the upcoming show! Not only is it the accomplishment of a long time personal goal... it is as well a "signature" piece that I think will serve my future goal-seeking to step up my search for a large gallery or two to accept works this large. I love to paint them... but my space to exhibit them is limited at the moment.

    Wish "Me" luck... in achieving these goals! Thanks!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

    ReplyDelete