Leaving Winter's Grip... in the Rear View Mirror

As this morning's post title subtly suggests... when one is in the process of driving to a desired destination, it is both valuable and pertinent to "check" one's rear view mirror (Past) to properly orient their forward thinking and movement towards the desired destination (Present). It takes very little consideration or intelligence to fully realize the futility and imminent disaster which would accompany any attempt to drive for any extended period of time... using only the rear view mirror perspective. One must remain alert and attentive of "the road ahead"... as it unfolds moment by moment before us.

As well, one must be prepared to make choices and decisions about where our Art "vehicle" can travel... and a map (plan) of sorts... a "trip-tych" to set out direction... time... and destination. It can, of course include a period of "joy" riding... painting for the sheer joy and pleasure of exploring... either "back roads" or new paths. Both hold possibility and new views that have been missed before. However... in this venture, one must roll up the sleeves... dig down deep and do the actual work.... that is... DRIVE!!!

As I alluded to in the last post Life is about choices... responding, or not... to opportunities that present them selves. Along with those responses come direct consequences. WE alone are responsible for change in our life... or to seek out solutions that we can live with when we face adversity, or "perceived" failure. These decisions do play out in both our personal and creative lives. Neither life is exempt from outside influences... whether they be personal or financial. Life is all about change... and changing. And changing is more about...Attitude.... and Self-discipline!

This past week... filled with uplifting sunlight... blue skies... and a landscape magically transformed from winter white by newly-appearing patches and patterns of tawny spring browns has beckoned teasingly... and constantly to my restless plein air heart. The plein air side of "Me"... usually obsessive-compulsive by nature... no matter the weather or elements was "confined to barracks" since Friday. My only "fixes" allowed ... have been an evening walk of about an hour's duration... after my inside studio task for the day was fully accomplished.... and our morning coffee clutch to start the day.

 Over the past four days, I have had my fix... and it more than suffices! Yesterday, I watched four male robins jousting at their annual spring tournament. I watched and listened as a mute swan... the first of this season helicoptered noisy overhead. I was serenaded each evening on my walk by plaintive red wing voices... and wakened each morning by the mournfully beautiful covey of mourning doves at our bedroom window.

This morning... I went down to the dock... alone in the quiet of this new spring morning and greeted Mr Golden (red) Sun as he yawned... stretched and finally rose to meet "Me". You that were still in your beds missed this once only spectacle. Sorry you missed it.... maybe tomorrow?????.....

                                              "Oh I have slipped the surly bonds of earth..."

                                                              "Come dance with me..."

                                                  "Mr Golden Sun... such a lovely fellow...."

                                        "I'm the boss in this patch of Spring Buster!... Shove off!"

  No matter how you spell the word... mourning or morning... we so love this peaceful...         unassuming  pair of souls

To conclude today's epistle... I am including a purely visual explanation to describe my current watercolour sojourn... minus my usual verbal diarrhea. Read it as you will. Use if you wish... to guide your own ideas further. If it offers you half of the joy that I am currently experiencing... travelling back down an 'ol country road I once travelled... then this post serves its intended purpose.

To all... I wish each of you...

Good Painting!... and Happy Spring. Pitter-patter... and let's get at 'er! Back to my drawing board and watercolours.

Stay tuned....

"Winter's Release" - mixed media (watercolour and ink) 5x7 inches on Canson Montval 140 lb paper