Turning a Rain Storm... Into a Brain Storm!

"Wrapped in Autumn" - oil on panel 10x12 inches

"Faded Rose, Rumble's Flour and Feed Mill" - oil on panel 10x12 inches

"Bathed In the Final Warmth of Autumn" - oil on panel 10x`12 inches

"Waning Light and Colour" - oil on panel 6x8 inches

How strange this Autumn! I reported earlier last week that Autumn's colour seemed to be waning... along with the idyllic "Indian Summer" conditions which Ontarians can usually expect in late October. Last week the winds and rain lashed our area continuously for five days straight... and as I reported... I totally expected that the highly anticipated and enjoyable Fall painting run was completely at an end.

That was not to be the case, however! Blue skies... warmer temperatures and evidence that a whole lot of the colour remained aloft in the mixed woodlands of the Oro- Medonte... raised my spirits and juices... driving me outdoors for two more wonderful and productive plein air sorties.

So far... I've managed a total of eight 8x10 and 10x12 inch sketches to be added to my fall production for 2011. All of these sketches have been located within walking distance of the Gallery... so no waste of time... driving about... looking for inspiration at the cost of time... and

productivity!

The positive response to my small local Hillsdale sketch..."Autumn's Hangin' On... But Mary's Gone" struck a chord on Friday morning. Why not spend a block of time sketching usually ignored homes and sites right in the village and nearby area? Having toured about on my nightly walking ritual... I quickly realized that there was indeed "the meat" for an interesting... and close-at-hand make work project for me using these "ordinary" village subjects.

Deb and I have put our heads and hands together to flesh out my local paint "Idea" into an actual late fall show aptly entitled: "Friends and Neighbours." We have mailed out an invitation to all Hillsdale residents via a coloured flyer through our local post office... inviting all to the opening of the show to take place on Sunday, November 13th. The show will continue for two weeks only... ending on Sunday, November 13th.

The show will consist of about thirty works... most being plein sketches completed about the village... of historic and contemporary homes as well as heritage sites such as Rumble's Flour and Feed Mill. Our hope is that village folk's interest will be piqued enough... to come out and see... "Is our home included?"

The answer is quite simple! Might be! But if not... it can be easily added... as a direct commission tailored to your own space... format and specifications! What a great Christams idea for that special someone... or to fill that dull... empty wall space in your home!

If nothing else is accomplished by the creation of this show... we sincerely hope that it might cause residents to "see" their village in a new light... and bring about the feeling which I have for the village... that it is indeed beautiful and worthy of spending my own time and effort to record its specialness. I have included four jpeg "morsels" for your interest and input.... with four more to come later on during the weekend.

We'll see what happens. Nothing ventured... then nothing gained! If you don't send a ship out... then don't sit waiting at the dock waiting for one to come in! As my ol' pal Rolly Hallyburton... owner of The Hilldale Bicycle Shoppe offers: If you don't have your own "bikes"our front... then people don't know you're there... and won't stop by!"

"I"... am a converted Graduate... of the Rolly Hallyburton School of Business! His costless... effective sales strategy works! We have our "Choir Boys/ Orphans"... lining our front stairs... each and every day... waiting to be adopted... at "fair" market value... considering that they all owe us rent! Get the drift?... Move 'em out!

Stay tuned!.....

Good Painting... to All