Spring moves in... for now at least

I journeyed down to the "Big Smoke" (Toronto) to meet my eldest son Andrew... who took me to a Toronto Maple Leaf - Tampa Bay Lightning hockey game and rib dinner beforehand as a belated birthday gift.

"I" felt as if I had entered an alien world... with all the hustle... din of noise... both inside and outside of the rink. We had a wonderful evening together... but "I" was so relieved to wake up... and get back down this morning into the sanctity of our cosy (almost noise-free) studio here in drowsy... slow-moving Hillsdale.

I kicked off the day's by completing the "run-for-the-sun" 12x 10 inch quick sketch I had nearly completed on my last outdoor session.It only required an additional 15 minutes of "puttzing about"... adding a few necessary value changes and "colour surprises" to satisfy "Me". It is the jpeg posted today and I feel that it rather succinctly describes our current weather situation here in the Oro-Medonte region.

Fields have been nearly stripped of snow cover... ochre-coloured grasses not seen since late November, now dominate the landscape. Many artists find this time of year and this earthen palette..."uninviting"... and not to their painting tastes. Again... I revel in this change... because it signals within "Me" a new cycle to follow - the beginning of maple syrup gathering. Creeks, streams and small rivers... for too long hushed by winter's frozen grasp... babble invitingly and run swiftly to create exciting crescendos of sound and movement providing countless opportunities for ideal picture-making subjects.

After a career spanning close to thirty years in teaching ... "I" feel blessed to be healthy enough to get "out there"... minus heavy clothing... without insect harassment... and mostly before the tourist hordes descend in large numbers.It is a time of renewal... it is Resurrection... it is rebirth in all its might and wonder!

In my own life, "I" free to paint what "I" want to... and to find Peace and contentment at this time in my life. Painting is not just business for "Me" ... or about money.It never has been. It is work...and it is not. It has been a lifelong and passionate journey of self-enlightenment... friendships... adventures and learning experiences which will continue...until "I" am no longer able to journey.

And even after "I" no longer journey... there might be a day.. somewhere... some time... when someone will look upon "Fugitive Snow"... as humble a quick sketch as it is... and remark:
"Isn't that beautiful?... Hey!... I've been on Gauthier Road in Oro-Medonte Township"!

High Flight

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds-and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hovr'ing there
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air.
Up, up the long delirious burning blue,
Where never lark, or even eagle flew-
And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand and touched the face of God.

Spring IS... "High Flight" for "Me"! I don't fly... or soar per say... except in spirit. And especially in Spring. This wonderfully uplifting poem was presented to "Me" by my Grade Eight Teacher,Miss Mildred Hyde, who would later become my colleague. Both continue to nourish my Spirit. The poem's author, Pilot Officer Gillespie Magee penned this while serving Canada in the RCAF in England during WWII. He was killed in action on the 11Th of December, 1941...before it was ever published.Mildred Hyde passed suddenly over March School Break in 1969. Both are gone from this life. .

Sixty-nine years later,"I" find both pleasure ... and solace in remembering the timeless contributions of both."I" pass it on to "You"!

What "You" say or do...does matter!Believe that... and soar freely!

Good Painting... and Happy Spring!
Bruce