"Summer Breeze, makes me feel fine
Blowing through the jasmine of my mind..."
-Jimmy Seals & Dash Croft (Summer Breeze - 1972)
Primavera is a combination word of Italian origin roughly translating as in spring... or springtime. Prima by itself translates first... while vera translates wedding ring. First thoughts about how this combination of two words translates springtime left me puzzled. However... in pondering the question this morning while on my morning walkabout... what I beheld before me, offered some kind of an impression/explanation for "Me."
Wedding rings in most world culture symbolize the joining of two spirits in harmony amd marriage. It occurred to me that Spring in fact joins together the cold of Winter with the heat of of Summer. The richly scented... varied green... and flowered majesty of Spring is the wedding ring in this "nuptial". There is much fanfare... birdsong and rapid growth and energy to ceremoniously herald this union of our two longest seasons of the year.
In my plein outing with Jennifer... I offered that the challenge of painting and capturing this season of transition is possible... provided that one uses the KISS method (Keep it simple stupid). Find strong structure in the scene. Make a thumbnail or two to develop a"map" based upon ONLY three values. Keep detail to a minimum... and good pictures can be made.
Today's jpeg "Summer Breeze" oil on canvas 12x10 inches... illustrates another solution to the "too much green" discouragement. Simply find some man made-structure... a house... in this case, a colourful sailboat and quiet patio on a river and voila... a still life which uses the greenery as a backdrop. I think you will agree... that both methods can work... if you risk... and get "out there"... with a plan!
Give it a try!
"To a person uninstructed in natural history, his country, or a seaside strolls a walk through a gallery filled with wonderful works of art, nine-tenths of which have their faces turned to the wall."
-Thomas Henry Huxley
Looking for the "Idea" and making it your own will produce results at any time... even during the "dreaded" (by some)...Primavera!
Good Painting to ALL!!!
