Sunday, October 23, 2011

Turkey's finally finished... but Thanksgiving remains!

"Autumn's Hangin' On... But Mary's Gone!"- oil on panel 10x8 inches



"The House That Built Me" (Line from a popular c&w tune)

Commission: Oil on gallery wrapped canvas 12x16 inches - SOLD


Despite the constant maelstroms of wind... and the deluges of rain all week... the colour is hangin' in there... and so am I ... hoping to get "out there" for one last full day of fall plein air painting. Fingers crossed!

But before I allowed myself that pleasure... I had things about the studio... and in personal life to tie down before that could happen. I can happily say now... that those necessities have been met... and hopefully either today orMonday will find the colour remaining as it has been... in pockets of dots n' dashes of the earlier crowning colour... which has for the most part passed.



I do actually enjoy the more muted and subdued colour as I suggested in an earlier post... where the heavily moist and misty air offers moody views and more manageable values that don't overwhelm or dominate visual senses. Just one guy's preference...


After completing Allison's votive painting of La Salute on time... and varnishing and providing the hanging necessities for the house portrait completed recently... delivering it... and getting paid by one very happy client... I noticed a subject not more than 200 paces from the Gallery door which commanded my immediate attention. I had contemplated possibly painting this subject many times for a number of reasons... as I passed by it on my evening walks.


I quickly came home on Friday... grabbed my easel, box and can of spirits and went over to the site in my van. It was drizzling n' spitting, but I simply used my usual inclement weather set up... "one leg of the easel inside the trunk area of the van... two legs outside... and myself under the overhang of the van rear door." After about an hour of quick brushwork... I packed 'er... "as is"... and headed back home... and directly into a deep hot tub to get rid of the damp cold that I felt in my core.

The first reason was that I liked the intimate... compacted composition... a neighbourly, almost familial relationship between the tree... house and church. Now... in that composition... the maple had dropped enough of its foliage to create a peek-a-boo view... broken by small clumps and bright golden "floaters"... to make a stunning and visually interesting subject to get my teeth into. I really like what I captured... it's plain... and simple!


The second reason was more personal... and was perhaps the more driving reason and incentive to make this painting. The 86 year old Lady Friend... large "L" and "F" fully intended... who had lived in this simple home.. had raised her large family of sons, daughter and grandchildren here...sadly had passed this summer... after a long, but never-complaining valiant struggle with cancer and simply old age.


Mary Morrison was an independent... always cheery and upbeat soul, who lived alone in this home... but with the help of her caring and attentive family who checked in on her daily. This home is reputed by local lore at least... to be the oldest surviving home in Hillsdale... being of log construction under the now faded "modern" mask of pinkish brown aluminum.


I often visited with Mary on her porch... pausing to catch up... have a few laughs and to get another village history and heritage lesson. She also enjoyed a nightly walk ritual... the same loop... only in opposing directions... "To spice it up!" she often jokingly threw at you. Often... she would simply appear at the front door of the Gallery and come in and sit down for quick visit. On occasion... she would have a fistful of grainy black n' white Brownie Sure Shot photos to leave for me... "to use in my work."


We shared so many small moments and time... and it cost so little to share these. I miss "Her"... more than ever now... as this year's autumn season slips away... too quickly. I hold on to these warm memories of "Her"... and in my own way used my paints to leave a small... perhaps insignificant "snapshot" back to "Her"... which declares with some joy... thanksgiving... appreciation and gratefulness that Mary Morrison... mattered and is remembered. That is so... if for no other reason than because "She" reached out unconditionally and consistently to the rapidly changing small world of Hilldale... and to this man... "from away"!


Thank "You...Mary!



Sharing... and caring knows no barriers. Anyone has the ability to participate... and the endless blessings... are unseen and certainly unexpected! Thank you ALL... for sharing your paintings... thoughts and ideas on your individual blogs


Good Painting... Sharing... and (extended) Thanksgiving to ALL!

20 comments:

  1. Lovely work full of warm color. A wonderful tribute to your lost friend. My condolences.

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  2. Oh, yes Bruce, a wonderful tribute to Mary. I am sure in some way on some level unkown to us, she witnessed your homage to her memory.

    All the best to you,
    Joan

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  3. Thank you Susan... For stopping by and for your kind and sensitive comments!

    The village... rather than "I" alone have lost a character... an old friend.

    The village makeup is of "the old guard"... those who were born and raised here and in the area... and the "newbies" like ourselves... who chose to make Hillsdale our home and place of business in our case.

    Things are a-changing here in Hillsdale... as they must everywhere... and in each of our lives.

    One does feel a sense of loss in such a small community however... because it's so obvious and unavoidable not to know... or feel. The price one pays for living in small places... a minor price to pay really!

    Autumn tends to amplify these feelings... for "Me" at least!

    Thanks for sharing your sentiments!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  4. Thank you Joan!... Your supportive and enthusiatic voice is always a treat to hear! I look forward very much to our connections and visits back n' forth!

    I agree! Somewhere... "Out there" in The Universe... Mary's spirit continues on, I'm certain! It certainly does still... for many citizens... her family and friends here in Hillsdale... and in my heart today!

    The wee painting tribute will likely pass the story along in some small way... even apres-moi! HA HA!!!

    Who knows????

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  5. Hi Bruce, You have painted Mary's place with love and energy - I can feel her spirit coming from it! Yes, small towns do evoke a different feeling from what one finds in cities. In a way our blogging community has some of that same sharing sense of a small community and one of the reasons why I like it so much!

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  6. Hi there Karen!... Thank "You" for recognizing and acknowledging what I tried to capture!

    We share so many commonalities in our background... and our shared passion for what we do with our art.

    The blogging community is indeed a wonderful forum and conduit for sharing our ideas... thoughts and our art with fellow citizens of the blogging world!

    Thank "You" for our connection!

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

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  7. Looks like Mary had a warm and cosy place! The weather doesn't look good with the branches and leaves blowing in all directions and still your painting is warm with life.
    I'm happy to have read your post today Bruce. Thanks for letting us know something precious about Mary.
    Have a good week,

    Helen
    P.S I have a son who's camping in the Parc des Algonquins these days. I thought I'd tell you as I know you were there not long ago.

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  8. Hi Bruce,

    I'm sorry to hear that you have lost a friend and such a local character. At least she will 'live on' in this painting for anyone who sees it and knew her.

    All the best,
    Keith

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  9. Hi there Helen!... Thanks for you visit and kind words!

    Mary's world was her home... and she kept it looking nice.It was always a place of welcome and she loved company... both young and old!

    Unfortunately... due to her rapidly declining health it was necessary for her to spend her final months in a respite program in Midland Hospital closeby. She seemed to sdjust to that change... as she did with all adversity in her life... with acceptance and without complaint!

    Your son must be an ardent outdoor type Helen. Judging from the weather in our area and what I read was in The Park during the past week... he would have certainly faced huge challenges staying comfortable.

    Have a great week yourself Helen!
    Salut!... and Good Painting!

    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  10. Hi there Keith!... Thanks for your visit and kind words!

    We all miss Mary here in the village. Her pleasant and neighbourly spirit made her special in these dog-eat-dog times! I think of "Her" often!

    We will be having a show at the Gallery based solely upon Hillsdale sites in mid November. This wee painting will be one of the offerings. Hope that someone in her family buys it. I'm keeping my prices lower than usual for these small paintings... just to encourage locals to perhaps begin a collection.

    Good Painting Keith!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  11. Gorgeous paintings, Bruce. I must say that your words have touched me even more than the paintings. I hope one day someone will think of me as highly as you do Mary. She sounds wonderful!

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  12. Good Morning Sherry!... Thank "You"... for your kind words and for your visit!

    If my words about Mary touched "You"... then pay attention to these words directed in tribute to "You" alone!

    All the way along in our "connection" I have detected (in your own words)... a lack of esteem and fulfilment. However... in reading your comments posted on the sites of others... I get a very different "read" on Sherry.

    That Sherry... is sensitive... eloquent... compassionate and generous... beyond the norm. When I see her images of her "Self" and husband... I see a vibrant and very attractive... dare I use the word beautiful woman. I detect someone admirable!

    The image of "You" for those of us who care about "You" seems never to measure up against your own version... however we try to supoort a more positive one.

    A mirror and the Past only reveal back towards "You" Sherry. There isn't much any of us can do about either... that Time has had its hour.

    What does matter is what we do with the "Gift"... of the "Present". Isn't that strange? These words are synonyms!

    But ONLY... if one chooses to embrace the idea!

    Good Luck with that my Dear!

    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  13. Not only were you lucky to have known Mary, but she was lucky to have known you as well. Your artistic abilities go way beyond the paint brush...your words and thoughts are so touching.

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  14. Hi Samantha!... Welcome to my blog! Thank you ever so much for your uplifting support of my work!

    It pleases "Me" greatly... that my two "voices" have equal interest and touch you!That is a very great compliment! Thank you!

    I do hope that you will return for future visits. I intend to mosey on over to see what you're up to as well!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  15. Hi Bruce,

    Wonderful painting/tribute to Mary! I admit I got a little teary, people like Mary are so special and are always missed. Loved the Brownie photos! Brings back memories.

    Best to you,

    Sue

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  16. Hi there Sue ...Nice of you to drop by. Your comments... as always reinforce my belief that people are the greatest blessings in anyone's life. "You" are one of those special people in my books!!

    Though we live in different parts of the world... we share common experiences... hopes and a desire to be remembered for having contributed during our lives.

    A smile and a sharing outlook is something that we all can offer. They go a long way towards making the world a better place.

    Glad that the Brownie photo reference struck a common chord! Didn't you think you had the world by the tail... when you hauled that puppy out! Second only perhaps... to hauling out that little yellow, blue or pink rectangular transistor radio on the beach! Sha-zam! HA HA!!

    Good Painting and Sketching Sue!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  17. Hi Bruce, interesting to read that once the beautiful commission painting is completed and paid for by happy new owners you take off to capture the spirit of Mary in your lively wee painting of her home and all that it stood for. Paint on! and I think your November exhibition sounds very good, let us know how Mary's cottage gets on!

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  18. Thanks Caroline!... Being able to "ramble about"... painting whatever you find and enjoy in the outdoors... is for Me" the greatest pleasure.

    I always return home full of energy and a sense of renewal... an elixir/tonic of sorts to carry my spirit and energy to new levels.

    Mary's "wee painting" was the germ of what has now grown into a larger theme... or "Idea". Overthe past two days I have painted five more panels en plein air... of subjects witihin walking distance of the Gallery and our home in Hillsdale.

    Deb and I have decided to mount a show to open in the second week in November and run for two weeks entitled: "Friends and Neighbours".

    It just goes to prove... one doesn't have to look much further... "than the end of one's nose"... to find energy... and richness of subject matter.

    Stay tuned....

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  19. Hi Bruce.
    Thank you so much for your lovely comment which you left on my blog! I thought I would pop along and see what sort of art you do and I really like what I found! Such beautiful and autumnal scenes with all the colours I love!
    I have just started using oils an quite honestly I think I have fallen in love with them! So, I will definitely be back :0)

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  20. Hi there Sandra!... Welcome!Thank you for visiting! Glad that you enjoyed your first visit!

    Autumn here is truly beautiful beyond comapare... when measured in colour! The maple's crimsons... yellows and golds look raw friom the tube really. Sometimes so much so that they are intimidating!

    Good luck with the oils! They are very forgiving and yield a lovely feel when one uses them!

    Kook forward to more chats and sharings!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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