Friday, December 2, 2011

Titanium... White Christmas!

Holm's Homestead, Gervais Road - oil on b. sienna toned panel
(Note the grainy texture detail )



Barn Complex on 7th Line Oro -oil on burnt sienna toned panel - 16x20 inches




John and Mary Silk's Century Homestead, Matchadash

Oil on toned b.sienna panel 10x12 inches



Winter rolled into our Oro-Medonte region off Georgian Bay like a freight train on late Tuesday evening! I arose early on Wednesday morning to find about 6 inches of snow already on the ground and with gusting winds and zero visibility making travel of any kind treacherous and foolhardy.


None the less... I had an appointment to meet with a prospective new gallery owner in nearby Penetanguishene... so I headed out cautiously at 60 kph or less and managed to arrive on time for the 10:00 am appointment. On the way back to Hillsdale, a sunny and blue sky scenario followed on my heels and remained for the remainder of the day.


What a stroke of luck that was! My painting buddy, David Kay and his lovely wife Diane had arrived to spend a few days with us so that David and I could do some plein air work in the area.


We had a quick hot chicken stew lunch and David an I headed out eagerly to the site on Gervais Road that I had chosen to begin our painting time together. The site there had a unique and colourful subject that David had never seen, or painted... though I had on two previous occasions last winter. I knew that it would work for us and that it would alleviate any need for a "drive around"... which usually eats up valuable painting time.


David approved heartily with my choice... and we immediately launched into action. David selected a 16x20 panel to work on.... while I chose a smaller 10x12 inch sienna toned masonite panel that I was eager to try out. I had used a different method of applying the gesso undercoating... which left a fine abrasive tooth all over the panel surface... not unlike a coarse pastel paper texture.


We had arrived at the site by 2:15 pm... and both of us had what we wanted by 4:00 pm, so we decided to pack it in and spend what was left of daylight looking at possible locations for the next day. The temperature late in the day had plummeted quickly to -8C... so knowing our limit and choosing a less punishing strategy... we made the right choice not to push for another start.


Thursday morning was beautiful... with the sunlight coming in and out while we painted , but we were both able to produce good paintings from the site we scouted out the previous day. Again... by 1:00pm, the temperature, as expected dropped very quickly. We passed up the planned hot lunch break in Craighurst and pushed on up to Big Chute on the Severn River to a nice farmhouse subject. David has his fill of Algonquin wilderness settings... and so enjoys the opportunity to sink his teeth into rural farms and barns for a change.


By this time, there were no lighting effects at all... very BLAH conditions... offering little chance for contrast and dramatic lighting. However... the composition was very interesting to us both, so we soldiered through the greyness... and the rapidly increasing cold to get down something that we each could carry home to our individual warm studios... to play with.


Both of us love the outdoors... and the solitude of painting alone. We share the same respect and need for wilderness conditions in our lives. We always are able to find commonality in our interests... pleasures and our personal code of values. On top of that... we both have supportive spouses who accept us for who we are... support our work and enjoy company together as couples.


We are deeply blessed... and know it!


None of these images have been changed in any way. They are... as they were created and returned from the field... untouched. They'll sit a day or two... and I'll enjoy the time... with coffee in hand... deciding to add... or not... and remembering a couple of fine days... "out there" with a good friend... doing what we both love!


Does life get any better?... I think not!


Good Painting to all!

28 comments:

  1. I can't imagine trying to paint in the snow... although I'd like to try, I'm pretty well convinced that I am too much of a California girls to tolerate it.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Nice paintings Bruce. I think the second one is my favourite, with its complimentary blue and orange.

    You're making me envious of your snow, we've still got gales and rain here. The forecast is promising a change though.

    Fingers crossed,
    Keith

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi here Marian... Thanks for dropping by to share!

    California Gal... yes! But the Marian... plein air addict would revel in the experience... if offered the chance! Its really about advanced planning and preparation... clothing choices. No different in California than here Marian.

    And Marian would continue to produce stellar work..."out there" I think! I always enjoy seeing your new posts!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards... from the Canadian Cold! HA HA!!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi there Keith!... I agree with your choice... at the moment... but that might change... after I decide upon where things might go with each this weekend! Some changes are in order I think... just to add a little zest!

    Winter painting often means calling it quits earlier than I would like to... due to the failure of lighting conditions... or rapid cold.

    We had just the same conditions as you talk about Monday and Tuesday. As a matter of fact, David and Diane had to keep phoning home... by land phone to find out when power would be reastored at the motel.

    Fingers crossed for "You" Keith!
    Anxious to see your upcoming.... blank white areas of paper! HA HA!!!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

    ReplyDelete
  5. Two completely different styles of painting! You are amazingly versatile and amazingly talented, Bruce. And no, I don't think life gets any better than that. Beautiful work for two beautiful days!

    ReplyDelete
  6. The second one does it for me too. Wonderful!! And I found your post so inspiring ... a like-minded friend, great scenery, and great skill with a brush. What a fantastic couple of days.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi there Sherry!... Thanks for visiting and for your very encouraging remarks!

    You are entirely right about the two different styles seen on the two days. One style is smoother in finish... while the other makes use of an "alla prima" technique and more impasto application of paint. A third mode that I use on occasiion... I refer to as my "intuitive" stylism which incorporates my normal impressionism in concert with a whimsical and lyrical freehand. You will see that in my Christmas card sel;ection for this year... when I post it.

    I really enjoyed the two days of painting... and am pleased with the results of our time together! David and I will meet and paint together next in January... in The park! Stay tuned!...

    Good Painting and Writing Sherry!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi there John!... It was indeed a fantastic couple of days for both David and myself!

    Sharing our ideas and art... as we do even through this blog forum is beneficial to parties on either end! We inspire each other! Your gracious comments inspire me to continue to paint in my own way. I am pleased that my work can inspire others... like yopurself to reach out in their own worlds... and grow!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

    ReplyDelete
  9. -8!!! That's a bit hardcore for me, much as I would love to paint in the snow it would have to be from a window ;o) We don't very often get it here but when we do a couple of inches and everything pretty much stops. We are just so unused to it. Last year there was quite a bit and we didn't cope very well at all here in the south.
    I like how you've painted very warm snow paintings and much as I like them all, number 1 is a sizzler. Have a great and warm weeks painting.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi Lisa!... Thanks for visiting and for sharing facts about your own winter experiences where you live! Interesting!

    Snow and cold are the complaints of many fellow Canadians (one in my home HA HA!!!)... but nevertheless, these are an annual part of our unique country. I revel in the coming of winter... finding snow such a powerful agent for light and composition in my painting.

    One can see clearly the contours of the landscape... and things hidden during the rest of the year suddenly present themselves... begging to be painted.

    My winter paintings usually are warm, as you've suggested. You paint what you "see"... and feel. Most of the time that adds up to paintings that others enjoy as well.

    The first painting offered the best lighting in rapid transition... strongest colour and a composition where all of the elements nestled together... (in my mind at least).

    The coarseness of the panel was really enjoyable... and worked for my loaded one and a half inch brush. It caught just enough of the pigment in one pass, to give the idea. I could go back later to emphasize and add power... but I was able to work quickly to capture a fleeting light. That's what you read in the painting.

    The other two paintings will have a similar "finished" quality... when I settle in to enliven some of the flat... "unfinished business" ;).


    Thanks for all of your observations... good humour and the "sizzler" stamp of approval Lisa!

    Good painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

    ReplyDelete
  11. A wonderful post, Bruce!! It sounds like you had a great time painting with your friend. You produced three amazing paintings...especially the second one...love the way you painted the snow!! You are one brave man painting in the snow! I get chilled just thinking about it!! However, it did pay off with these paintings!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi there Hilda!.... Good to have you drop by! Thanks you for your enthusiasm and kind comments!

    David and I enjoyed a wonderful time "out there" together... doin' what we both love to do most!

    The snow has disappeared again. The temperatures rose again and it rained overnight. Glad that we made the most of its short stay! More on the way... they say! Just have to wait. I'd rather have the white and the cold... rather than the grey and dampness!

    Thanks for dropping by!

    Good painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi Bruce,

    I hope this one gets through. Love your paintings and thank you for the visit and kind words. Okay, gonna try to post.

    All the best to you,
    Joan

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi there Joan!... Thanks for dropping by and for your kind words!

    I'm so glad to see the rapid progress and the passion that has developed in you and your zest for what you have discovered!

    Strange... how we travel so far through life looking... and we discover that our passion and "work" has beem travelling along with us... just waiting for the time and space to be explored and developed!

    Keep doing what you are doing Joan! "You"... are on the right track! Sketch.. Paint! Sketch... Paint some more! All the books and DVDs in the world can't replace the "hands on" learning needed to grow as an artist!

    Happy discovering!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love the second painting 'the barn complex' the colours are very beautiful and the trees are very well painted. Amazing to think you did all that out side in such cold weather condtions. You must be a real mountain man! How did you get on at the gallery? did you make it? happy painting to you.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hey Bruce...don't you dare. Those paintings are very much cooked (I think) and wonderfully so. Very fresh and full of light and colour. My fav's are the top two. Tis a grand thing to have those painting adventures to share with a like minded artist.

    Jeffrey

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi Caroline! Thanks you for visiting and for all of your positive encouragement!

    "Mountain man"... I'm not!... Junkyard dog "I" am! simply love being outdoors doing anything... and thrive when I am painting there!

    "Still waters... it restoreth my soul." Simply that! No heroics... just choices that give me Happiness!

    Good Painting!
    Warm regards,
    Bruce

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hi there Jeffrey!... Thanks for dropping by and for the very insightful views about the paintings!

    Sorry!... butI dared... a little! My favs are also the top two... so very little changes at all... just a few highlights here and there in those to liven them up.

    The last could not escape my need to work it over. The day had absolutely no light... no contrast... and as a result this quickly dashed down sketch possessed no redeeming features... except that I really liked the composition. I let my creative imagineering take over and I am pleased now with the result... because all of the previous elements are now in place.

    What do you think? I'd be interested to know! Shoot from the hip Pardner!!!

    Good Painting!
    Waremst regards,
    Bruce

    ReplyDelete
  19. Each one is so different in mood, I am drawn to the top one because I like the texture and brighter colours. On looking closer at the other two, each have their own beauty in different ways. It must be so great to have a painting buddy to paint with and a kindred spirit to talk about art and painting with.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hi there Diana!... Thank you for stopping by and leaving your encouraging comments!

    You are so right when you make mention about the difference in the paintings. Each was painted under separate weather and lighting conditions and has its own strengths..(and weaknesses HA HA!!). That is evident in the very different moods each portrays.

    They all do exhibit an excitement I feel... directly rel;ated to my mood having been with David to paint and share! He is a wonderful friend and I always paint at my best when I am with him. People like David..."You"... and a host of other painting enthusiasts that are connnected by our mutual passion encourage my creative spirit!

    I am grateful for each of your visits... presences... and comments! Thank you!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

    ReplyDelete
  21. you are an amazing artist! i love all three but the first one is my favorite! beautiful work as always my friend.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Thank you Suzanne!... That's a wonderful compliment... coming from you!

    I like the top one as well. Maybe it's the Lady Bug red in it!HA HA!! I've reworked the bottom one and am still thinking about what to do with the middle one! I'll post them by the weekend!

    Thanks for visiting Suzanne! YOur opininion and comments really mean a lot to me!

    Good painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

    ReplyDelete
  23. Beautiful. Beautiful. Oh, and, um... beautiful!!!

    ReplyDelete
  24. It's amazing, the way you can paint in the snow, under 8°, I barely imagine!and you are lucky to share that with your painter buddy.
    I like the result, especially the 2nd one !
    Have a good week end, Bruce!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hi there Nora!... Thanks for stopping by and adding your... um... beautiful comments! HA HA!!

    How did your trip to New York go? Christmas is a wonderful time to be in the Big Apple! Art + shopping opportunities make a great combo... and good reason to visit!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hi there Sylviane!... Thanks for stopping by and for leaving your encouraging compliments!

    Winter provides a wonderful opportunity to paint differently... and to see what is for the rest of the year hidden. Painting with a good pal makes the experience all the more meaningful too! Win- win!!!

    The second piece was my favourite as well!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

    ReplyDelete
  27. Hi Bruce,

    Don't know what is going on in blog land,but my comments aren't getting through. I just tried on your most recent post. I never thought that the previous paintings needed any further work. But you are a master and yes, I can see the the difference. I do love both post, but gotta say your rework is absolutely GREAT!!

    all the best to you
    Joan

    ReplyDelete
  28. Hi there Joan!... Thanks for perservering and for the uplifting remarks regarding the reworked pieces!

    My point is... that one must be one's own critic and rely on one's own perception and intuition! That is the very essence of being creative... satisfying your self first.

    Glad that the changes pleased you. There was nothing wrong with the initial responses in the field... but I felt they just lacked finish and possibility in the end... and a need to be reworked.

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

    ReplyDelete