Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Summer's Coronation







This subject is located only minutes away from our Gallery and home. I pass it many times during the course of daily comings and goings.... usually with scarcely a glance of interest. But two days ago late in the day.... my eyes caught sight of this piece of drama. Filled by excitement... I turned around... drove home... grabbed my camera and raced back to try and "capture the moment." But the moment had passed... as those fleeting moments of dawn and dusk have the tendency to do.

I immediately downloaded the image from my camera and sat surveying the "caught" image. At first, I was bitterly disappointed with what was in front of me... but as I surveyed the STRUCTURE... which first attracted me to this place... it was still there.... certainly not with the dramatic lighting effects... and not even without distracting elements that offended my eye.

But the physical essence of what attracted my attention remained.... and the longer I looked the deeper my memory reached back... until the glorious sunny moment flickered... then rekindled the rich colour and pageantry that I sensed in one glance as I drove past.

I grabbed a 20x24 inch canvas and toned it with Mars Black acrylic and left it to dry overnight... knowing that the rich colours and dark contrast would set the tone for the drama that I wished to create. This was one of those paintings that fairly stated...."painted itself"... from start to finish. Many refer to this as a zen state... and in my own mind, it is essentially that.... meditative. At no time was there any hesitancy... or hurdle to be jumped. In retrospect... I believe that this state arose out of the fact that "The Idea" was fresh... and that the process began and ended in almost a plein air fashion.... "done like dinner"... in under three hours.

The other contributing factor was the fact that "I" owned the process... making decisions based upon deep experiential feelings and creative choices... rather than the reality of what was recorded in the photo. The camera is a great tool to assist in creating... but it does not in any fashion possess one single ounce of creative spirit. It is limited by the fact that it will never have emotion to add to the picture-making programmes it possesses.

I am including both the jpeg of the actual site... and my interpretation... "impression" of that fleeting moment. I leave "You" to judge for your Self which is more appealing... regardless of a faithful direct rendering of the scene!

"Some artists show a reverential attitude towards the natural world. Nature is something to learn from and, at best, to emulate, with no thought of manipulating, much less commanding it. The best you can hope for, perhaps, is to, in Thomas Eakin's phrase, "sail parallel."

-The Artist's Mentor
Inspiration from the World's Most Creative Minds
Ian Jackman, editor

Fair Summer Sailing... To ALL!

20 comments:

  1. It's a wonderful feeling when that occurs! I love falling into the zone. Beautiful! - Happy summer to you and Deb.

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  2. i am transfixed, not only by your beautiful painting but your post taking us through your process. those moments lost in time are so precious and i think recapturing them by memory adds the whimsy, light and joy those moments brought that the "seeing" eye misses. just so lovely bruce...the area you live in, the gallery, your home, your family, just so lovely. you are a lucky gifted man. happy summer!

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  3. Bruce, I am truly excited by this painting. It's always wonderful to see the world through your eyes. Suzanne is so right, you are a gifted man. Thank you for sharing.

    all the best to you,
    Joan

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  4. Hello there Kim!... Thanks for visiting... and for sharing your thoughts about "The Zone"! It is a special place reserved for those willing the "push the envelope"... and reach down deep..."within."

    So often we travel about searching for the "perfect subject"... when very rich and challenging possibilities lay right at hand in one's own environment! I'm quite sure that you find the very same of your Grimsby area Kim!

    Fair summer sailing and Painting!
    Warm regards, Bruce

    Hi to Harry!

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  5. Hi there Suzanne!... It makes "Me" happy... to hear that both the picture and the description of my process offer insights to you!

    None of us are above learning from sharing with other like-minded and passionate creators. I learn so much when I visit your site... and always come away with new insights to guide my own thinking and process!

    Thank your for your very gracious compliments and for sharing Suzanne!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  6. Hi there Joan!... Judging by your own latest post..."We" both have found inspiration in our own backyards!HAHA!!!

    It is good for ALL artists to... "walk a mile in the other guys moccasins! One always comes away from the experience with a very different... and often uplifting feeling... for the path we all share!

    Thank "You" for sharing your own thoughts and ideas so generously... both here and in your own blog site Joan!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  7. wonderful painting bruce
    the house really belongs!

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  8. Hi there Mate!... Thanks for that fine compliment!

    The house really does "belong"... as you've so aptly put it... in more than the way you intended as well! This is the original Craig homestead... still lived in by Craigs after more than a century of farming this land. That's an accomplishment by Canada's "young" timeline!! It proudly sits in the hamlet of... Craighurst!

    Thanks for the visit and compliment Rob... and Good Painting on tour Tuscan Workshop!

    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  9. Very beautiful, Bruce! I like your painting better than the photo as you've brought the point of view up higher. This now looks like a beautiful home with beautiful gardens. I just want to see the inside of this place, to roam its grounds (sans mosquitoes, of course), and breathe it all in. The light is superb!

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  10. Your painting looks very homely and welcoming. The photo didn't inspire me much but your painting has made this scene come alive with warmth. I am sure they are baking pancakes in the kitchen! Beautiful work.

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  11. Hi there Sherry!... Yes, many things are moved... removed and as you observed... even the point of view has been shifted to create more drama.

    It is a beautiful home with a proud heritage... hanging on... as most farms are to survive in this too competitive world we live in.

    Even the Grampa Craig's Oliver tractor... a green relic from the past is still on board. Acquisitions had a value beyond being "things"... and when purchased at great sacrifice... continue to have purpose and are shown respect and reverence... even in retirement.

    Let's hope that "the Light" remains superb on this beautiful piece of rural history!

    Thanks for visiting and for adding your thoughts Sherry!

    Good Painting and Sketching!
    Warmest regards,
    bruce

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  12. Hi there Caroline!... Happy summer painmting to the Highland Lass!

    Thank "You" for your thoughts and observations! Glad that the painting creates a sense of warmth and a welcoming feel about it!

    That was exactly what "I" hoped to bring forward in the piece... and I am so pleased that it hit the mark with everyone who has visited and commented!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  13. Hi Bruce! I know I haven't been around lately--not commenting anyhow, but I have been lurking. I just want you to know that you continue to be an inspiration to me. Your work is so captivating and energetic--it even makes ME want to try that out-doorsey thing! Thanks for continuing to post your work :)

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  14. Hello Stranger!....Good to hear from "You" Bridget!

    "Lurking" is good... my two youngest and I lurked every beach in Nova Scotia! "Lurking"... their word... meant scouring the beaches for pirate treasure and collectibles for our seaside "museum" - shed on the property where we made shelves for all the booty! HAHA!! It was great fun!

    Thank "You" for your kind words! I do hope you will indeed get "out there" Bridget! I know that you will never look back!

    Good Painting... indoors or out!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

    PS Don't be a stranger!

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  15. Hi Bruce,

    You've shown here why a painting can be so much better than a photograph. Even if you had managed to catch the light with the camera, I don't think it would have been so full of feeling as your painting.

    All the best,
    Keith

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  16. Hi Keith!... Though I needn't have to convince "You" of this fact about painting vs photo... It is a fine tribute from you and I feel truly honoured to have you say this about the painting!


    Thanks for dropping by and for the encouragement!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  17. So glad to realize that you too will see something as you are driving by, realize it MUST be captured and even go to the trouble of going back home to get the camera! I try to remember to take my camera everywhere with me since sometimes I'm too far from home to run back to get it and am often sorry if it isn't with me. I love what you did with your memory of the original inspiring moment and using the photo as a sketching tool, not something to be slavishly copied.
    I saw a horse on a small hillock near a herd of cattle a few weeks ago and stopped, turned around and went back to capture it in my camera - an early morning gift. The horse stood perfectly still and was reflected in a pool of water below him - now to try to get it on canvas!

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  18. Hi there Karen!... Thanks for visiting... and for the wonderfully encouraging comments!

    Strange ... that despite the living distances between all of us... as artists... we dwell much closer together in thoughts and processes than we'd think!

    Saddle up yer pony and ride! ...Sally ride!I'll look for that horse of yours!

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

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  19. I love what you did with this scene Bruce. Your lighting is wonderful.

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  20. Hi there Nancy!... Thank "You"... for dropping by and for leaving your gracious compliments!

    Lighting is such an essential part and aim of my painting process. I always aset out from the very beginning to capture that above all of the other essentials... because I believe that it contributes the most strongly to creating a mood... which is how the viewer is encouraged to involve him or herself further.

    Just one guy's idea... but it works for "Me"!

    Good Painting!... and happy Summer!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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