Sunday, April 17, 2011

Paradise.... Found... then Lost! - Part One










We're back in Canada... and as I write..... again "Lost" in a world of white! It is snowin' and blowin'... much the way it was at our departure to the Barbados on March 28th! Winter just seems to be hanging about... reluctant... no defiant to surrender his icy grasp. I will admit... that adjusting to these dramatic changes... all in the course of a few days is both difficult and discouraging. I never imagined myself admitting to that fact because I generally much enjoy the winter season. But it's true!


It seems quite reasonable to span both Paradise locations by beginning today's jpeg show with Canadian "Gold".... McCutcheon's World Class #1 Maple Syrup meeting Bajan "Gold"....Apes Hill Gay Rum... both World Class Champions in their separate classes! A fitting head-to-head meeting of the two cultures.... through their sweet...sugar -related cousins!


We truly did find... and experience Paradise on our visit. The Island is indeed a Paradise in every respect... from exotic flora and fauna... to landscapes that endlessly continue to open before you... like gifts under a Christmas tree - each unique... and each breath-takingly different than the others. I think that you can easily sense from my description that both Deb and I were in a state of rapture. I could not bring my Self to settle to any kind of painting for that reason... I was on sensory overload. I also was completely overwhelmed by the heat and humidity at first.


My thermostat runs hot at the best of times... which accounts for my ability to paint outdoors comfortably throughout the entire winter. I found myself challenged to withstand this sudden change of temperature... even though the Trade Winds continually provide relief at all times of the day... and the magnificent variety of trees and palms a ready supply of shade wherever you travel.


It was only after the first week of touring... swimming and acclimating ourselves... and Deb recovering from a very bad initial sunburn... that we were able to move about with ease... and a mind to sketching. I wore my trusty 60 sunblock every single day top to bottom... and still managed a pretty nice tan. "Mr Golden Sun"... is harsh and unforgiving of those who snub their nose to his might. A good decision to cover up!


When we visited Bridgetown to purchase my oil supplies from the art store there, I learned that the oils and canvases I had intended to purchase had been totally purchased "in bulk" and were unfortunately not available until the next shipment from the mainland. Wisely... I had foreseen this possibility and had brought along my trusty watercolours, ink pens and sketch kit in reserve. That decision paid off in spades for me and in fact worked out to be a much better choice overall.


Bajans are not accustomed to plein air painters en masse... and many are even adverse to having their photos taken... or even their houses... without prior permission. A lesson to future plein air painter-visitors! I learned that uncomfortably... from experience. Lesson Learned! I managed six nice sketches that I was satisfied with... but more importantly, I have a digital library of over 500 images to "play with" at my leisure... and be certain that I will !!!


In this post, I will offer jpeg images to attempt to introduce you to the Barbados... as we saw it and enjoyed it. This is akin to offering you an hors d'oeuvre from a banquet... but I feel that it will be interesting to share these images in conjunction with my humble sketches... to give you a taste or flavour of this magnificent part of the world!


The first sketch was done directly from Lisa's balcony overlooking the fifth fairway of The Apes Hill Golf Course... a stunning course ... with a stunning view! This first sketch shown here was done from the balcony of Lisa's home overlooking the fifth fairway of the spectacular Apes Hill Golf and Polo Club. From this vantage point... and in this same scene... I watched the four cruise ships that arrive and depart each day. A comfortable and shaded spot to put my watercolours first into action!


Let's hope that today's snow... is just a "Robin's Snow"!!!


Good Painting to ALL!


12 comments:

  1. I really like the watercolour Bruce and hope you have more to show us. I hope it is just Robin's snow too! even here in the highlands the sun is shining and the cherry blossom is out, the lilac trees are also coming into bloom as I type! thanks for sharing your beautiful holiday photos it is indeed paradise you are showing us.

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  2. Hi there Caroline!... Thanks for the encouragement regarding Spring! It sure is Winter... wind and snow... coming and going.

    We're quite a bit away from lilacs yet... although the daffodils put on a brave face ans showed up on schedule!

    Patience is the name of the game in these parts!

    Glad that you enjoyed the first post back! I will indeed have more water colour sketches and photos to share! Stay tuned!

    Glad too... that Spring has entered your Highlands! Enjoy!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  3. Welcome home, Bruce! I'm glad to read that you and Deb had a wonderful time and thank-you for my mini (computer screen) vacation! Great photos and wonderful watercolor. I'm looking forward to more - plus a few snow paintings, too?!

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  4. For some reason, I always miss the winter. I think that I so dislike the heat of summer that the winter's passing has me fretting in advance of the coming heat and humidity here. That and we have no a/c in this house we're renting to own. (That will be first item on agenda once we do buy it.) Anyway, I love your watercolor, Bruce, and this does indeed look like a gorgeous place! My heart goes out to your wife. I've had some doozy sunburns in my life (blisters and oh the pain!). Glad to see you back and posting.

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  5. Welcome back Bruce. We missed your wonderful postings. Love the photos and especially your watercolor. It is difficult coming back to the cold and snow. Spring will arrive one of these days. In the meantime you have your wonderful memories of Paradise.
    Will be looking forward to more of your post.

    All the best to you.
    Joan

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  6. Hi Bruce, I know how you feel about the return of the snow. It's like the good friend who visits and stays too long. You love them dearly, but after a while you just want them to go.

    All the best,
    Keith

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  7. Hi there Linny!.... Thanks for the "warm" welcome back! It makes up for the cold party that Canada had had planned for us... this past weekend in Hillsdale!

    It was so refreshing and uplifting to shed clothing... feel the warmth of the Sun's glorious touch (for 15 minutes at a time) and to explore a world that was sheer Linnyland at its best!

    The colour and cock-eyedness of line everywhere one looked... yielded a subject to sit down to. I did think of "You" there Linny... and Jeffrey too!

    The flora and fauna were magical... the birds were as friendly as the people... and I did chase them about ... camera in hand... waiting for them to light! HAHA!! They'll be glad that I left! HAHA!!

    A rich experience... well recorded... and forever remembered... with more to share! Stay tuned!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  8. Hi there Sherry!... Thanks for the welcome back! Nice to know that my blog was missed!

    Going away is always good for the spirit... and the mind! The process of travel enriches one's life greatly... but as well... focuses one on the "taken-for-granted" blessings of one's own world and often seemingly mundane existence of daily life!

    Deb is well healed... a bit "flaky"... in places perhaps... but I'm used to that! HAHA!!

    Paradise it was! But Heaven is where I "am"... by choice and fortunate birth!

    Good Painting!
    Warm regards,
    Bruce

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  9. Hi there Friend Joan!.... Thank "You" for the usual "warm" words! They REALLY do make a BIG difference... in the face of the unexpected snow and cold that we returned to here in wintry Hillsdale!

    No gripes or complaints though Joan! I love the seasons. It was just such an abrupt "re-entry".... not unlike astronauts' returning from a month in space. It simply... takes getting used to again! HAHA!!

    "The Eagle has (indeed) landed!"
    Back to work!... and anxious to do so!


    I will be posting more pix and sketches this week. I really am anxious to share the experience. So much to.... "show-n-tell! You know.... like kindergarten again!.....EH? HAHA!!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  10. Hi there Keith!... So nice to be in touch with "You" again.... though I did... as you remember... keep an eye on your landscaping. Not the garden variety! Always a pleasure to visit... and share ideas and see what's new with Keith!

    You're right too... about winter... at this (too) late date! I probably have been guilty myself of... "staying beyond my welcome"! I have always loved people and friends! I am NEVER at a loss for words (I'm told). But I don't travel or spend much time with people who suffer from that "disorder"!HAHA!!!

    Thanks for stopping by Keith! Nice to talk... (as briefly as I am able) again! HAHA!!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  11. Oh Bruce! How picturesque! Yay for watercolors! you are inspiring me to take my watercolors along on our upcoming trip to NH, and I think I may try my hand at plein air painting!

    It sounds as if you had a great time, in spite of heat and sunburn...now if we could equalize the temps and get rid of some of this winter!

    So nice to see you posting again...

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  12. Hi there Bridget!.... Good to hear from "You" again!Thanks for the encouraging words!

    I do enjoy returning to watercolour to work during travel.... portable and spontaneous! The ink adds contrast and oomph... losts when the colour dries too rapidly!

    Hope that your NH adventure yields joy... relief and a break from the feeling of deadlock that extended winter creates!

    Look forward to seeing your plein airresults! More Bajan sketches to appear over Easter Weekend!


    Happy Easter!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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