Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Primavera!





"Summer Breeze, makes me feel fine

Blowing through the jasmine of my mind..."


-Jimmy Seals & Dash Croft (Summer Breeze - 1972)




Primavera is a combination word of Italian origin roughly translating as in spring... or springtime. Prima by itself translates first... while vera translates wedding ring. First thoughts about how this combination of two words translates springtime left me puzzled. However... in pondering the question this morning while on my morning walkabout... what I beheld before me, offered some kind of an impression/explanation for "Me."


Wedding rings in most world culture symbolize the joining of two spirits in harmony amd marriage. It occurred to me that Spring in fact joins together the cold of Winter with the heat of of Summer. The richly scented... varied green... and flowered majesty of Spring is the wedding ring in this "nuptial". There is much fanfare... birdsong and rapid growth and energy to ceremoniously herald this union of our two longest seasons of the year.


In my plein outing with Jennifer... I offered that the challenge of painting and capturing this season of transition is possible... provided that one uses the KISS method (Keep it simple stupid). Find strong structure in the scene. Make a thumbnail or two to develop a"map" based upon ONLY three values. Keep detail to a minimum... and good pictures can be made.


Today's jpeg "Summer Breeze" oil on canvas 12x10 inches... illustrates another solution to the "too much green" discouragement. Simply find some man made-structure... a house... in this case, a colourful sailboat and quiet patio on a river and voila... a still life which uses the greenery as a backdrop. I think you will agree... that both methods can work... if you risk... and get "out there"... with a plan!


Give it a try!


"To a person uninstructed in natural history, his country, or a seaside strolls a walk through a gallery filled with wonderful works of art, nine-tenths of which have their faces turned to the wall."


-Thomas Henry Huxley

Looking for the "Idea" and making it your own will produce results at any time... even during the "dreaded" (by some)...Primavera!



Good Painting to ALL!!!





10 comments:

  1. Wonderful, Bruce! Your last post was a great lesson, too - for all of us. Thanks for sharing "Bruce's Way"! You both created beauties.

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  2. Hi Bruce,

    You have reduced the greenery, but that lovely clear sunlight still 'says' Spring. The colours really glow as well.

    All you needed was a table with a bottle of wine and you would have 'la dolce vita'! :-)

    All the best,
    Keith

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  3. Gorgeous and most restful spot and probably one of the best ways to get through the misery of the heat of summer (as long as no bugs to - well...bug me!). Beautiful painting, Bruce!

    It IS "jasmine?" I was never sure and always in my pathetic warbling of this tune along with the radio alternated between "jasmine" and "chasms!" LOL

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  4. Hello Linnyland!... Yes... as "You" well know... "We" are in the "high" season for plein airing. The world is amok in greens... flowers... birdsong... New life... everywhere!

    It is nice to be a part of this spectacle... and "We"... who work outdoors feel attuned closely to the energy and "possibility" that this transitional part of summer and spring offers.

    Loved your Mother's Day commission Linny! Little wonder that your recipient did as well!

    "Bruce's way"... I might add... is Linny's way as well. Both "ways" come from the heart... exude a positive outlook and a willingness to work... and to share with others!

    Thanks for your visits and support Linny!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  5. Thanks Keith... for dropping by and for the very keen observations and humour that you brought to the post! I loved it!

    Painting is really... ALL about the light... isn't it Keith? If the light is right... the rest of the painting will come along.

    The challenge is to capture that light... which has an uncanny knack for changing constantly.... and keep it "in the bag"... resisting the ongoing urge to change it. A good digital reference at "the moment" can assist you when you are back in the studio with this task. Just paint on!

    Hey! What a great title you've suggested!

    "La Dolce Vita di Landon's Bay"!... Good one Keith!

    Thanks for dropping by!

    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  6. Good sunny morning to "You" Sherry!... "You" and "I" often share many commonalities... and our "ear" seems to be tuned into the same frequency as well! HAHA!!

    I used "chasms" when I have crooned... no make that croaked... my version to the car radio... all the way along since 1972. It works though... for "Me." My mind often seems like a great chasm... abyss! HAHA!!!

    But jasmine is indeed the correct lyric... and when you think "sweet smelling flowers"... and put it with summer breeze... the very same wat I did when I put together prima and vera... it has a sweet... aromatic flavour that very truthfully captures that sweet incence essence of summer.

    "Warble" on Sherry! Warblers are a very important part of... Primavera... and Summer Breeze!!

    Good painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  7. Hi Bruce,

    Gotta say, I'm With You!!! Leave the greens out and go on to anything other than green. Love this painting. Also, thank you for the KISS sound advice, which I will continue to keep it simple. Thank you again for the wonderful comment you made on my blog about structure and tone. It is much appreciated.

    Have a great weekend.
    Joan

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  8. Hi there Joan!... Don't ignore working with the greens... they teach you how to modulate colour to create values and tone. Just don't get bogged down and discouraged if they prove too challenging.

    Switch gears and find things with more structure that you understand to create your framework.

    I love your sensitive figure work you've just posted. Great poses... loosely handled! Good for you!

    Good Painting... and sketching!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  9. Beautiful painting, Bruce. The colorful boat and the wonderful reflections in the water..Love it! I agree with Keith..a bottle of wine on a table would be very nice!!

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  10. Hi there Hilda! Thank you for the lovely compliments and your visit!

    I think that the setting is idyllic for summer patio activity... or inactivity! Seems like it stirred the same feelings... and thirst... in "You and Keith both! HAHA!!

    Here's to summer! and...

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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