The term "first footing" comes from my Scottish tradition and pertains to celebrating the New Year in that tradition. It simply describes being the first to enter a house by crossing the threshold in the New Year. It was always something I observed my Grandparents initiate... and it has been carried on in my parents house... and in my own way as well. Usually "I" most often "first foot"(ed) my parents if possible... but if not..."I" would carry it over to my closest friend.
Sadly... when Auld Lang Syne is sung this evening... both my Grandparents and my beloved Mom and Dad will not be present... as they have passed on.So "I" have decided to use cyber technology and my blog to "first foot" any one of my newly found Blogger Family who visits my blog. "I" bring Good wishes for Health...Happiness and Prosperity to your Home... wherever it might be located.
"I" completed my last plein air sketch of 2009... a pastoral 5x7" oil on toned mat board completed late this afternoon... using my trusty pochade box, along side the road not far from my home and gallery.
"I" set this goal to finish a very full and successful year of painting.I returned home and put the final touches on my earlier promised 24x30 canvas version of the 5x7 inch panel featuring a snow-laden fir on my Dec 18Th post.Changes occurred in the final version... for the better "I" think!
The creation of my blog has brought much joy and pleasure into my life through meeting those individuals who have encouraged my blogging effort. Writing the blog posts and responding to comments has offered much challenge and has made "Me" examine and evaluate my own artistic process. "I" so look forward to writing new posts... and to have people from all over come back to "connect"... some from a vast distance.
"I" have genuinely tried to make this more than a mutual "pat-me-on-the-back" kind of site, offering encouragement and sharing ideas about my artistic and personal life to perhaps offer encouragement and knowledge that "I" have garnered along the way. "I" am overwhelmed and warmed by the "presence" of the vast number of skillful and dedicated artists who have visited my site... and who share my values and passion for Art.
"I" will endeavour to continue to share my thoughts and ideas about making and selling your art in the New Year. "I" have been blessed to have enjoyed good success in a career doing both... including a rewarding teaching career that spanned close to thirty years.
I have made a "Bucket List (not of resolutions per say)...but of "10" Goals "I" intend to carry out to improve my daily life. "I" will share these in a future post in the New Year. "I" will only state at this time that "I" have earnestly tried to identify achievable goals... ones that "I" can achieve... and therefore motivate further goal-setting and growth.Some of them are personal lifestyle goals... others pertain to my artistic growth and development... while some enjoin "Me" with my good wife Deb to set couple goals to bring us together more closely.
Too many times in our constrained schedules, we often set goals too lofty... or goals which lack initial planning and study.... and when we fail to achieve them... we blame life for "getting in the way"... preventing us from completing them.
My eldest child Lisa, is in Jamaica... her favourite place on earth. "She" has lived there for a large part of her adult life... but personal circumstances and her young family... necessitated her return to Canada... for the most part to offer them a better chance at an education to allow them to live in Canada ... if they so choose. "She" loves the culture... its people... food... warm climate and especially its wonderful Reggae Artists and Music.
"She" sent me the lyrics to a Reggae song by a favourite group Bugle. They sort of some up my feelings about life:
Don't blame Life.
Blame the way you live it!
My second born, Allison... writing her PhD thesis as we speak... and yes... in Art History responded to my New Year's email sent to all 5 of my children with this:
"Lovely picture that you sent along dad-a tree in a clearing is a great way to think of ourselves on the brink of a new decade. Fresh start, lots of room to grow and change".
Thank "You" dear Allison!... Couldn't have said it any better my Self!
Much Peace and Happiness in the New Year! Thanks for your support and encouragement.Keep the Faith... and ....
Good Painting... everyone!
Bruce
Happy New Years Bruce!!
ReplyDeleteYours is the first comment of the year from me, I love that painting.
The atmosphere and landscape is fresh as the new year.
Your posts, along with your paintings are an
encouragement.
I hope to grow artisticly, and with you as a new friend, well I thank God you're here.
Happy New Year to "You" Bill!!...
ReplyDeleteThank "You...for "first footing "Me" as my first comment received... and for your gratifying, encouraging comments.
LIfe is a "circle"... in so many strange and wonderful ways:
"Me"....enabling... "You"... enabling ..."Me".
"What goes round... comes round"!
Ain't that the plain and simple Truth?
"You" WILL grow artistically... just keep the Faith... and keep searching... and painting!
Good Painting my Friend!
Warm regards,
Bruce
Hi Bruce Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteLove the color palette of this painting Bruce, You have captured the atmospheric mood beautifully! The composition is also very strong, I really enjoy the application you apply to these paintings, how do you paint outdoors in these frigid temperatures without your paints drying in a second? Again great painting Bruce!
HI Jonathan!... Glad to have you visit! Thank "You" ever so much for your kind and encouraging comments!
ReplyDeleteThe answer to your "frigid" paint query is plain and simple really... derived from a good tip from the "Holy Bible" for outdoor painters: Carlson's Guide to Landscape Painting.(Now available in soft cover thru' North Light Publishing). He suggested premixing a large amount of the white paint on your palette that you wished to use in an outdoor winter foray... adding just enough kerosene to the pigment to give it a mayonnaise consistency. The kerosene which contains more oil than turpentine then acts as an "extender" for the paint... and resists the fierce and session-ending tightening often brought about during sub-zero temperatures. Works for "Me"!!!
Carlson's book still remains at the top of the list for "Me".... and it was my first purchase in what is now a veritable library of helpful resource books. I no longer buy "how to" type publications, preferring to read those who offer insights into their lives and painting processes... much like "I" try to deliver in this blog.
Thank "You" for becoming a Friend/Follower. "I" look forward to many more "conversations"... and sharing ideas with "You"!
Happy New Year!... and Good Painting!
Warm regards,
Bruce
Hi Bruce,
ReplyDeleteI agree Carlson's Guide to Landscape Painting is a really good book, I have not read it all the way through, seeing how much value it is I have to go back and re-read it. Thats so interesting that adding kerosene to the oil paints will make the oils workable in those conditions I love it, I feel like I can go out now and do some paintings. Although I must say lately this arctic blast is not favorable to my excitement. Landscape painting is an area I have not explored enough, coming to your blog renews my curiosity!
Thanks again Bruce, and stay warm!
Carlson's guide to landscape painting?! I must
ReplyDeletefind this!
Kerosene, who'd a thought, I will try that too!
Sorry for "nosing in",I'm a bloodhound for new
info on painting tips.
Hi back Jonathan!.. Glad that "You" enjoyed the cold weather tip... from Carlson...via "Me! There is a plethora of ideas and solutions in his book... that make painting outdoors in any season more comfortable and more rewarding.His common sense approach and language make it easy to read... understand and apply.
ReplyDeleteBest set it beside your bed...or easy chair.. and read it cover-to-cover at least once. I enjoy reading it topically now... choosing specific areas like "Aerial Perspective" as one example... which "I" have read dozens of times over the thirty years "I" have owned it.Each time that "I" re-read it... it presents itself differently to "Me" and reveals a new thought and approach to solving problems.
Being "curious" is a necessary quality to move ahead in your Art!
It was -21C today on my hour long morning walk this morning in our neck-o-the-woods... with a windchill likely in the mid 30s... the wind was dead out of the Northeast!!Arctic for sure!But I was dressed for it and enjoyed every moment of the time. Sunrise was spectacular!
Had chores to do.. so no painting... but tomorrow for sure!I'm in between paintings in the studio... so perfect time to get..."out there"... as "I" call it!
Look forward to hearing about your own trip "out there!I'll be listening... and checkin' in!
Warm...(pun intended)... regards,
Bruce
Hi back to Bill "The Bloodhound"!.... "I" like that title Bill... following the scent to flush out your painting "prey" will always lead to better results in your own work!Give the kerosene a try!
ReplyDelete"Butting in"???... Never my Friend! Group discussion and conversation provides more than one perspective... and judging from your own masterful work... "I" will learn much from our conversations!
Get that book! Carlson's influence on a whole generation of his contempories... and all generations since..including my own... is IMMENSE!!!
Sure does give credence to the "Power of One"... to affect change! Changed my life... forever!
Warm regards,
Bruce
HI Bruce,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment on my blog, I really appreciate it! I remember purchasing the book and not really reading the whole thing through, I was in the middle of getting ready for a show. Excuses excuses, excuses, I know but I keep hearing other artist quoting the book, so now I really have to read it to the end. Yea here in uptown it felt about 20 below, again hard to find the inspiration to go outside and paint. I think for now I will be doing more indoor paintings, I hope to go outside soon and paint. I was painting a lot this summer outdoors and it was a lot of fun! If you ever go painting outdoors around the cities let me know it'll be great to meet up and paint! Thank you again Bruce and stay warm!!!
Hey Jonathan!... Good to hear back from "you"!Reading Carlson is inspiring and worth the effort... whenever "You" can find the time...or inclination.
ReplyDeleteWinter painting outdoors?....Not for everyone and certainly requires preparation of clothing... equipment... process ...and the Mind!
With your obvious skills and interest in figurative and still life work... why sweat it!Paint!... Paint!... Paint away the cold!
Sort of like the Dutch... they painted what they knew... and knew what they painted!
Good Painting my Friend!
Regards,
Bruce
That is a great painting to end the year with, just a wonderful play of warm and cool colors.
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate your sharing your work, your insights into techniques and the personal notes about you and your family.
I just want to wish you and your family a great New Year.
Hi Jim!... Thank "You" for dropping by and for leaving your thoughtful and encouaraging comments.
ReplyDeleteIt is always my pleasure to share my painting process, ideas and my personal thoughts with people like your Self...who share my passion for Art and Life.
Good Painting!... and a Happy Healthy and prosperous journey in your own work!
Warm regards,
Bruce
Morning Bruce! Just checking in. Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteHi again Jim!... Thanks for checkin' in!... "I" am just "checkin' out". It's cold. -12c but a sunny day... and "I" will have a great day..."out there!
ReplyDeleteHope that "You" have a great one too my Friend!
Cheers!
Bruce
Just found your blog...beautiful work!!
ReplyDeleteHi Theresa!... Thanks for dropping by... and your encouraging comment! Thank "You" too... for becoming a Follower!
ReplyDeleteI visited your site as well... very impressive... and colourful! Love your still life work. Great composition and design in each!
Happy New Year!... and Good Painting!
Regards,
Bruce
This painting jumped out at me as very 'Carlson' and for good reason as you mention his book in your comment reply.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate this wonderful blogging community and thank you for your visits!
Happy New Year, Bruce!
Thank "You" Mary!... for visiting... and for leaving your comment with "a nod" to Carlson! It is a great honour indeed to offer "a feeling" in one's own expression... if only slightly to that of a true landscape master like John Carlson!
ReplyDelete"We" artists/ painters all journey "in parallel" really.We see the world in our own unique ways... but each of us need mentors along the way... and encouragement offered by peers... whose work and integrity we value!WE travel the same paths... suffer the same struggles and feel the same passion for what we must do!
"I" can truthfully say that about yours!
Thank "You" Mary!
Warm regards and Good Painting!
Bruce