Paradise.... Found... then Lost! - Part One

We're back in Canada... and as I write..... again "Lost" in a world of white! It is snowin' and blowin'... much the way it was at our departure to the Barbados on March 28th! Winter just seems to be hanging about... reluctant... no defiant to surrender his icy grasp. I will admit... that adjusting to these dramatic changes... all in the course of a few days is both difficult and discouraging. I never imagined myself admitting to that fact because I generally much enjoy the winter season. But it's true!

It seems quite reasonable to span both Paradise locations by beginning today's jpeg show with Canadian "Gold".... McCutcheon's World Class #1 Maple Syrup meeting Bajan "Gold"....Apes Hill Gay Rum... both World Class Champions in their separate classes! A fitting head-to-head meeting of the two cultures.... through their sweet...sugar -related cousins!

We truly did find... and experience Paradise on our visit. The Island is indeed a Paradise in every respect... from exotic flora and fauna... to landscapes that endlessly continue to open before you... like gifts under a Christmas tree - each unique... and each breath-takingly different than the others. I think that you can easily sense from my description that both Deb and I were in a state of rapture. I could not bring my Self to settle to any kind of painting for that reason... I was on sensory overload. I also was completely overwhelmed by the heat and humidity at first.

My thermostat runs hot at the best of times... which accounts for my ability to paint outdoors comfortably throughout the entire winter. I found myself challenged to withstand this sudden change of temperature... even though the Trade Winds continually provide relief at all times of the day... and the magnificent variety of trees and palms a ready supply of shade wherever you travel.

It was only after the first week of touring... swimming and acclimating ourselves... and Deb recovering from a very bad initial sunburn... that we were able to move about with ease... and a mind to sketching. I wore my trusty 60 sunblock every single day top to bottom... and still managed a pretty nice tan. "Mr Golden Sun"... is harsh and unforgiving of those who snub their nose to his might. A good decision to cover up!

When we visited Bridgetown to purchase my oil supplies from the art store there, I learned that the oils and canvases I had intended to purchase had been totally purchased "in bulk" and were unfortunately not available until the next shipment from the mainland. Wisely... I had foreseen this possibility and had brought along my trusty watercolours, ink pens and sketch kit in reserve. That decision paid off in spades for me and in fact worked out to be a much better choice overall.

Bajans are not accustomed to plein air painters en masse... and many are even adverse to having their photos taken... or even their houses... without prior permission. A lesson to future plein air painter-visitors! I learned that uncomfortably... from experience. Lesson Learned! I managed six nice sketches that I was satisfied with... but more importantly, I have a digital library of over 500 images to "play with" at my leisure... and be certain that I will !!!

In this post, I will offer jpeg images to attempt to introduce you to the Barbados... as we saw it and enjoyed it. This is akin to offering you an hors d'oeuvre from a banquet... but I feel that it will be interesting to share these images in conjunction with my humble sketches... to give you a taste or flavour of this magnificent part of the world!

The first sketch was done directly from Lisa's balcony overlooking the fifth fairway of The Apes Hill Golf Course... a stunning course ... with a stunning view! This first sketch shown here was done from the balcony of Lisa's home overlooking the fifth fairway of the spectacular Apes Hill Golf and Polo Club. From this vantage point... and in this same scene... I watched the four cruise ships that arrive and depart each day. A comfortable and shaded spot to put my watercolours first into action!

Let's hope that today's snow... is just a "Robin's Snow"!!!

Good Painting to ALL!