Friday, March 25, 2011

Spring... Just tricklin' in!



















Spring is definitely in the air! Bird song of every sort is almost cacophonous in the early mornings and late evenings... as males seek out mates... and establish territorial rights before the nesting gets underway.

How joyous it is on my walk to hear familiar voices... absent over the winter months. Red
Winged Blackbirds... Robins... Canada Geese by the droves now ply the stubble of the now snowless corn fields in search of early sources of food. In one group of three adjoining cornfields , I encountered a resting and feeding group of migrating Canadas... in the thousands... likely preparing for their last long push to their spring breeding and summering destinations in the northern reaches around Hudson and James Bay.

I came back the next day in late afternoon... camera in hand... but really didn't expect to find them still there. They were! And when I got out of the car they lifted. The noise of their combined voices of alarm raised goose bumps on the back of my neck... as they lifted... and kept circling... wanting to return to their resting spot. I quickly snapped a couple of pictures, then quickly got into the car and headed off... not wanting to discourage their need to resume their fuelling and resting needs. What a privilege it was to view this spectacle! A once in a lifetime event for "Me"!

Yesterday, I experienced yet another once in my lifetime event! I conducted an oil painting demonstration... live on Rogers Television Daytime... a local cable programme. My work has made a television appearance on more than one occasion... but this was the first time that I either visited a studio... or took part in a broadcast. All exciting stuff!

I decided to keep the demo in the "Spring" mode... and commited to paint... yes... you guessed it - another maple syruping picture! I used a previously painted and posted 7x5 inch pochade piece.On this occasion I enlarged the format....painted it on a black toned canvas... and transformed it into a nocturne. Things went smoothly and comfortably in both the interviewing and the painting processes combined. The interviewers really knew their stuff! I came away with a fairly decent 28x22 inch canvas that I will "tune up" after our return in April. Here's what's there ... after one hour of talk n' paint!

Well... this will be my last post before leaving for the Barbados... so here's wishing everyone...


Good Painting!... and Happy Painting! See you in April!

24 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness, Bruce! I am awestruck by the photographs (imagining how it must have felt to actually be there), and the beautiful painting. I wonder, how different is it to paint on a black-toned canvas, as opposed to white? I've never done such a thing. The moon reminds me of the 'big moon' we just had...So crisp and beautiful!

    Oh, and how exciting to conduct a painting demonstration on television--I can't even imagine--oh, I'd love to see footage of that!

    Have a terrific and safe trip :)

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  2. Ya gotta beauty there Bruce...have a great time and a safe journey...lucky dawg!

    Jeffrey

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  3. Hi there Bridget!... Good to hear from "You"! It was both humbling and awe-inspiring to have the privilege of this goose migration spectacle! How do they lift off ... on a single second... in fright... and not collide? It is mind-boggling to me!

    Painting on black reverses my usual lightly stained darks first... with brightest brights next. The lightest lights stained first leaves the silhouettes in black... and therefore makes use of negative space aspect first! Very effective for nocturnes for sure!

    The TV thingy was very "scripted"... as is neecessary in production... and back and forth between three guests. I just paintd as if everyone in the studio wasn't there... and then worked with the hosts when they interviewed. A good experience... but I'll take thew "live... and in person" demos with kindred spirits any time!

    Hope your moving actions are coming into focus!

    Good painting and Writing... and moving!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  4. Thanks Jeffrey for the visit and for the compliment on the Moonscape! A bit different... but fun for a change!

    Looking forward to the visit with Lisa in the Barbados... she's gots lots of actvities planned... and of course... I will be under my big straw hat... brushes in hand... suckin' in... some of the local landscape material! Should be fun!

    Hope that the weather in Victoria has come back around to "normal" daffodil days.... and good plein airing weather!

    Good Painting!... Happy Spring
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  5. What a glorious moonlit piece, Bruce! It is so fun to know that I know a "famous" artist. (You've been on tv, so that makes you famous in my book!) I love how you describe the birdsong as cacophanous because that is exactly how I think of it in the early mornings when I am trying to sleep...or the later evening when I am trying to go to sleep and it doesn't get dark until 10! Still and yet, I most often find it music to my ears.

    Hope you have a most fabulous trip, Bruce!!!

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  6. Hi Friend Sherry!... Thank "You" for the complimentary remarks regarding the moonscape!

    There is no other word better to describe the intense level of noise created at this mating time of year... for ALL species of songbirds... all vying for air time and space simultaneously! It is quite simply... as you aptly described... Musical "noise"!!! HAHA!

    Thank "You" for the "Bon Voyage" wishes Sherry!
    I hope to have much to share upon my return in April!

    Stay tuned... but keep Painting and Writing... and Listening to the Music! HAHA!

    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  7. Hi Bruce. Tried to send you a message yesterday and did not seem to go through so if this shows up twice-delete once.
    Your snow scene looks a lot like the little housing subdivision above Dubois. That settling of winters snow with a little melting going on. well done.
    Thanks for the comment on my art blog.
    Is clousy and just now snowing here so spring? Not often happens here in the high country.

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  8. Hi there Pardner!... Nice to cross trails again!

    Thanks for the compliment on the snow scene!Spring is takin' it's sweet time getting here fully... temperature-wise. Snow is still abundant in the woods and north fencelines of the fields. But the birds... waterfowl and white-tailed deer are very strong indicators on my radar screen... that Spring will soon reign triumphant!

    Loved all of your newest work Gary! Real nice intimate studies! My kind of interest aas well!

    Good Painting! Happy Trails!... and Happy Spring!

    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  9. Dear Bruce,
    How wonderful for you. Can I have your autograph. I wish the show would air in New York. You are an amazing artist.

    Have a great time in Barbados, looking forward to your plein air paintings from your vacation.

    Stay well and enjoy

    All the best to you
    Joan

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  10. Hi Joan!... Thanks for the kind words! It was just the local cable company production... no big deal... but a great experience! Now I have an idea how tv production takes place. Not my cup o' tea!

    I hope to do some nice plein air work while I'm there... and to spend quality time with Lisa and Deb... seeing her world!

    Cudos on your award! A lovely painting... and well deserved. You have been working diligently and it has paid off Joan!

    Be talking to you soon!

    Good Painting!... and Happy Spring!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  11. Love those long shadows, Bermuda Bruce! Have fun, safe travels, and paint like wild!!!

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  12. whoops, corrected - "Barbados Bruce"!

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  13. Hi there Linny of Linnyland!... Thanks for the new moniker!Either one works!HAHA!!

    You can bet I'll be "out there"... and everywhere Linny! I'll be lookin' to use some of that warm ... golden colour and light that "You" ALWAYS inject into your stuff!

    Hope that Spring has finally arrived in Victoria... and that you and your painting pal Jeffrey enjoy that new Sun and wrmth!

    Good Painting! Happy Spring!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce... soon of Bridgetown! HAHA!!

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  14. always a pleasure to visit your blog bruce
    never know what to expect..birds,syrup,tv
    and a lovely painting...

    i'm sure you're going to have a blast in barbados!!!!!!!

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  15. amazing photos and a lovely painting and post! have a wonderful and safe trip!

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  16. Hi there Mate!... Always trying to keep the blog fresh and full of things that might interest and inform readers from afar!

    That's what I love about bloggin' with artists friends - the sharing of sights... sites... and what's unique... in "Two Voices". We artists all have both!

    ALWAYS... my pleasure to have "You" aboard Rob.. and to visit your site! Thanks for the visit and encouraging words!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  17. Hi there Suzanne!... Thank "You" for the wonderfully uplifting words!

    It all seems so strange... to find one's Self swaddled in greenery... and festooned by floral displays that cost an arm and a leg in our part of the world!

    The sun is punishing for "Me" personally and the incessant heat akin to mid-July every day! Sun block 60 and long clothing make up my defence attire. I am scoping the sites... but have decided to forego standing at an easel in that blazing sun. Watercolour and shady spots to the rescue! HAHA!!!

    A Paradise... for sure! I know why Lisa loves it so here! But "I" will be happy to return to my own world... as it is!

    Good painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  18. Wow... What a wonderful experience!!

    Those geese are individually spectacular so an entire flock lifting up must have been just spectacular!!

    Congrats also on your successful television debut!!!

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  19. Hi Bruce. Lovely post. Congrats on the television show! Rather you than me painting in the cold!!!! LOL
    God Bless!
    April

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  20. Hi Bruce,

    Good for you my good man...I was checking in to see the fruits of your Barbados trip..I'll keep watch. Hope you are well, sure sounds like you are and I'm happy to hear it.

    All thebest,
    Todd

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  21. Hi there Marian!.... The Natural World offers breath-taking experiences. One just has to be "out there"... like we plein air folk are... to take in "the Greatest Shows on Earth... for FREE as well!!

    The television thingy was a learning experience as well. Harpo and Letterman can have their worlds! I prefer my humble studio any day!!!HAHA!

    Thanks you for visiting and your comments!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  22. Hi there April!... Good to hear from "You" again! Wondered where you had gotten to! I'll have to drop by your site to catch up on your work!

    The winter snow and cold dropped by again today... but seems to have abated for now!Strange weather!Sure is a depresssing flip-flop from Barbadian sun and surf I'll tell you!

    Hope to post some of those adventures beginning this afternoon! Had a great vacation!Ready to get back to work!

    Good Painting!

    Warmest regards and God bless ... back to "You" April!

    Bruce

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  23. Hello there Friend Todd!.... Good to hear from Ye Laddy!

    You won't have to wait long for those "Fruit of the Islands" sketches! I hope to begin posting a series of pics and sketches to share with people later this afternoon!

    It's a Paradise my Hearty... Home to Captain Kidd... Heaven on Earth... that's the only way to describe it! Stay tuned!

    Thanks for your visit! Hope all is well in Maine with the school of Bonita!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  24. It'll be great to have you pop over Bruce. Anytime...doors open and the kettle's always on! LOL

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