Spring it would seem... has Sprung

We have enjoyed about a week now of sun and elevated temperatures into the plus side of things. Birds everywhere are in good voice... and creeks have started to open up and run black as they always do in early spring.Geese are getting rambunctious and noisy signalling a rapidly approaching new mating season. Local maple syrup producers have set out their pails and lines to make our annual liquid gold- Maple Syrup!

I headed out this morning intent upon taking advantage of the bright skies and warm temperatures to paint outdoors. I had a destination in mind... but soon found my Self inebriated by the colour and plethora of possible subjects... ranging from a small herd of frisky Percheron horses... to squadrons of aerobatic Snowbirds in still whitened fields.. to drumming pails of a roadside sugar bush. Where to settle into some serious work? That was a difficult task for this visually drunken sailor!

I remembered a site where I could paint uninterrupted.. and where I knew the conditions would be perfect. I had painted Michael Holm's century homestead on Gauthier Road on another occasion, but felt that I had "missed the mark" on it, simply because I hadn't considered the best view initially. The old homestead... a still standing relic from our earliest French settlement in the Huronia area, bears the architectural trappings and detail that one finds in rural Quebec. Its mansard roof... minus the usual dormer windows is the giveaway factor. Such roofs were adapted to shed the heavy winter snow loads that both places experience every winter.

Michael came out for a quick visit on his way to do chores at his brother's nearby farm. Both were born and raised on this farm. Michael lives with his wife in the house... and they will likely be its last human inhabitants. This agrarian lifestyle is quickly waning... and with it the end of a part of our early pioneer history.I so enjoy recording these remnants.. and sharing time to learn of the unique stories that these simple living,hard working farm folk are so willing to share. My painting will likely at some point form the sole/soul record of this house's existence. That's reason enough to spend an afternoon painting... and enjoying... life in another time... at a slower pace!

After two and a half hours of pleasurable painting... I felt I could pay a visit just down the road to a small stream in a woodland setting... and add a small "run-for-the-sun" 10x12 panel to complete a great day of plein air painting... but... That's another story... for another day!

Good Painting to All... and Happy Spring!!!