Monday, October 17, 2011

Autumn is in its last throes here





"A Beauty... Even in the Gloom"-Madawaska River Near Whitney oil on canvas 12x20 inches

This past weekend colder weather... relentless northwesterly winds and sheeting rains ripped unceasingly and mercilessly through the maple canopies... leaving only pockets of high colour here and there in the Oro-Medonte Hills. Colour from here on... up to the final stages of autumn will highlight the burgeoning and dominant russets of the oak... gaudy yellow softwoods... ochre tamaracks/larch and the groves of contrasting greens of reddening white cedar... darker black spruce "pointers"... and lighter green white and red pines. The fanfare aspect of autumn has been reduced to but a few plaintive notes... before unceremoniously submitting bare bones... to winter.


As I mentioned in an earlier post... Autumn is at best a bittersweet moment... a time to reflect about one's personal life and to give thanks... it being our annual Thanksgiving... for the copious blessings that we all enjoy. It is also a wondrous time to watch nature's creatures either preparing to winter... or to depart for safer and warmer latitudes to avoid it's harshness... and lack of food sources. Geese and crows ferry about neighbouring freshly harvested fields... fueling up for their long journeys south... while new faces like those of the grey-breasted juncos flit and rummage actively in the hedgerows and ditches... seeking out seeds.


Despite the realization... that winter will soon blanket the entire world with his ermine coat... and that leafless frozen tree branches will rattle their skeleton tune in all treetops... I really do love to be out painting... trying to capture the now muted colour and enjoying the acrid smell of fallen leaves, as they begin the process of mouldering away. Even man's presence seems less intrusive... and I look forward to the ambient smell of seasonal woodsmoke in the crisp cold air. There is an intrinsic beauty... even in the face of the likelihood of "too many " months of harsh cold... and gloom.


My wife always (constructively) complains that paintings completed from this period in the year are hard sell items... simply because of the simple fact that people do not want to be reminded about what is upcoming... or just passed. However... I choose to make these paintings for my Self... and I'm more than content to have a few of these hang about... simply to remind "Me"... that one can find beauty and something to enjoy... in all parts of the year.


Today's offering... completed en plein air... up north along the Madawaska River... just outside Algonquin Park is one of such paintings... a "reflection"... that I still much enjoy. It was completed in late October in the fall of 2004. I still get a great deal of pleasure from seeing the painting... and re listening... if you can believe it... to the actual conversations that I shared with my painting pals on that day. I hope that you enjoy this little "special child" of mine... and see something that redeems it... through your eyes and tastes.


I am at present buried in a smallish 12x16 inch commission... thankfully small.. and currently at the two thirds mark to being complete. I will knock this one out of the batter's box by tomorrow... with a couple of blazing fastballs... straight down the middle! It will be a "nice"... competent piece.... but it's about the lack of full artistic "ownership" of the process...


You all know what I mean by this! Grateful for the opportunity to pay the bills... and the confidence shown by my client in my painting style ability. Gratefulness as well... to have it in the done tray... so that I can joyfully return to day dreaming.... and painting again... outdoors!




Good Painting... and Happy Autumn... what remains of it... to All !!!

12 comments:

  1. How very pleasant! You have a talent for presenting autumn in paint!

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  2. Bruce, what a beautiful picture you paint, in words and canvas. There is joy to be found in every season. When each season approaches I comment on how it is my favorite season, in truth there are no favorites, just complete awe of all the beauty.

    Thank you for sharing and happy painting to you.

    Joan

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  3. Hi Bruce,

    Yes I know just what you mean about commissions. ;-)

    There's always that extra element in a painting that results from a personal experience.

    All the best,
    Keith

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  4. Hi there Marie!... Thanks for visiting and for leaving such an encouraging comment!

    Autumn is a favourite time for us all to get "out there"! Little wonder that the results of our paintings express happiness and contentment! It's a marvellous time in the year!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  5. Hi again Friend Joan!... We do share so many common feelings about making and sharing our art!

    Each season presents its own unique challenges for painting outdoors. But each foray into that season increases the power of your eyes... and your brushes! Simply... you grow artistically!

    Thanks for dropping by and for leaving the uplifting comments Joan! Love those apple and pumpkin studies... both harbingers of Autumn!

    Good Painting and Sketching!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  6. Hi there Keith! Thanks for dropping by!

    Commisssions in themselves really do challenge us... even unhorse us completely at times...simply because we have our usual "comfort zone" invaded... and control over the entire process is usually not there.

    The client deserves input and personal attachment to the end product. After all... it is they... who will live with it on their wall!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  7. Oh but I do love winter painted scenes! Just rarely have enough cash to buy them! LOL I'm always amazed that you paint en plein aire in the cold Bruce. Way to shivery for me, but then I don't manage to paint outside even when it is nice out! LOL

    This is another gorgeous piece reflective of your wonderful place in the world. I'd so love to visit sites just as this one.

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  8. Hi there Sherry!... I too love painting winter scenes because winter snow eliminates the greenery and leaf cover... beautiful as it may have been... to reveal new ideas and things hidden... and to give light and shadow a chance to work their magic over undulating and sculptural forms! Exciting is the word!

    Preparing (and that's the key word) to paint outdoors is no different than going on a trip. There are things that will be required on the journey to give comfort and encourage routine.

    Picking your time and place... weather watching in advance... having proper gear and clothing... and getting right down to work are some of the ingredients for successful winter painting. It's a process... with usually a predictable outcome... if you follow these plans.

    Another of my reasons for creating this blog and for sharing... is that blogging is a form of time travel. Blogging allows us to "visit" and to share with friends... in a long distance sort of way!

    Hey!... Maybe the virtual taste might become incentive enough to encourage a planned real visit... to see for your Self Sherry!

    Who knows....The Universe speaks sometimes... in mysterious ways!

    Thanks for dropping by and for leaving your thoughts and positive impressions!

    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  9. I especially like the reflection beneath the rock, beautiful work Bruce. Good luck with the commission hope it goes well for you. I think the colours of autumn produce lovely paintings.

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  10. Hi Caroline!... Thank you for visiting and for the thoughts that you've so generously shared!

    The commission is all but completed as I write this comment...mission accomplished! Now back to my own art!

    Whatever is left of the fall colours... is mine for the taking... and I'll be "out there" for certain... starting tomorrow morning!

    Love your new tree sketches! Beautifully rendered in a lively way!

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

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  11. Thank you Suzanne... for taking the time to deliver your..."beauty"!

    You create much beauty yourself... so I'll consider that "beauty" a high compliment! Thanks!

    Good painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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