"Team Canada".... Willy Smail's Bush, Groveton - oil on canvas 5x7 feet
"Hangin' on... at Bush Island, Nova Scotia" oil on canvas 20x24 inches
"The Old Man ... and the Sea" - Indian Point, Nova Scotia- oil on canvas 14x16 inchesDespite a deep urge to head out to local sugar bushes during the past week... I stuck it out in the studio and completed the last piece to be shipped down to my gallery rep in Halifax, Nova Scotia. I'm now caught up with my painting duties until after our move.
Both paintings, I think capture the very deep feeling of respect that I developed there during my five year life experience... for the quickly disappearing way of life and the hard working coastal people who inhabit the many fishing villages and coves all along the vast seashore of Nova Scotia.
Many of my friendships formed were with people who been personally touched by the hardships which life on the sea can bring to those who put out to sea to make a living. But as harsh as the sea can become... there is a love for it... and a need to be near... or better still on it... or as I heard it said about one fisherman who had been drowned by the sea:
"He was one of 'em who needed havin' de water under 'em." That says it all eloquently in their own tongue, I think.
A couple of phrases from Ernest Hemingway's marvelous sea epic, The Old Man and the Sea support the feelings of pride in and acceptance of hardship as a necessary part of being a fisherman. The old man protagonist of the story, Santiago... to the boy: "Anyone can be a fisherman in May."
Hemingway's protagonist Santiago also said..."No man is lost at sea." I
My painting of "The Old Man and the Sea" is a tribute to Hemingway... and the courage of the countless souls who lived upon... and loved life at sea. And especially... to the memory of the many sons of the sea who were taken.
I'll add one pictorial tribute sweet salute to the Maple Gathers! A good run for All!
Good Painting and Happy Spring to ALL!!
Both paintings, I think capture the very deep feeling of respect that I developed there during my five year life experience... for the quickly disappearing way of life and the hard working coastal people who inhabit the many fishing villages and coves all along the vast seashore of Nova Scotia.
Many of my friendships formed were with people who been personally touched by the hardships which life on the sea can bring to those who put out to sea to make a living. But as harsh as the sea can become... there is a love for it... and a need to be near... or better still on it... or as I heard it said about one fisherman who had been drowned by the sea:
"He was one of 'em who needed havin' de water under 'em." That says it all eloquently in their own tongue, I think.
A couple of phrases from Ernest Hemingway's marvelous sea epic, The Old Man and the Sea support the feelings of pride in and acceptance of hardship as a necessary part of being a fisherman. The old man protagonist of the story, Santiago... to the boy: "Anyone can be a fisherman in May."
Hemingway's protagonist Santiago also said..."No man is lost at sea." I
My painting of "The Old Man and the Sea" is a tribute to Hemingway... and the courage of the countless souls who lived upon... and loved life at sea. And especially... to the memory of the many sons of the sea who were taken.
I'll add one pictorial tribute sweet salute to the Maple Gathers! A good run for All!
Good Painting and Happy Spring to ALL!!
Another fascinating post, Bruce! Congratulations on finishing this round of excellent paintings. Each one is a nutritious slice of Northern outdoor life.
ReplyDeleteI had to look twice at the measurement of "Team Canada"...Feet! I'm used to painting 5x7 INCHES, Lol.
Happy Spring!
All fantastic, Bruce - love the one in the middle...happy almost move to you and yours!
ReplyDeleteHi there Dean!... Thanks for visiting again and for those encouraging comments!
ReplyDeleteI am glad to have these paintings on their way to Nova Scotia... so that we can now settle into the packing-to-move mode. Just a little more than a month away!Lots to do!
The "Team Canada" canvas... yes, though measured in feet... is no more powerful than a good number of the 5x7's from Deano's Den! I admire your wonderful ability to say so much... on so little space. That's as much a skill to that as painting the larger works... that can be painted with a broom... almost! HA HA!!
Good Painting!... and Happy Spring to you Dean!
Warmest regards,
Bruce
Hello "Queen" Linny of Linnyland!... Thanks for your visit and encouragement!
ReplyDeleteThe middle one "Holdin' On"... is jaunty... colourful and textural in quality... much like the dreamscapes woven together in Linnyland! No wonder to me... that it is your favourite!
Thanks for the good move wishes! Getting closer... and scarier by the moment... but exciting for us both!
Good Painting!
Warmest regards,
Bruce
Hi Bruce, I didn't immediately notice the size of the first one either. Although it's much larger, it fits in well with the rest of your work. Even though "The Old Man...and the Sea" is much smaller, it's full of deep meaning and 'punches' well above its weight.
ReplyDeleteI think we can both relate to people having a need for a particular landscape (or seascape). I don't think we would be happy people if we couldn't get out into the wilderness fairly frequently.
All the best,
Keith
Yegads, Bruce. For some reason your blog never rolls to the top of my blog list when you enter a new post. I only discover it on the every other day or so that I scroll through them all to look at thumbnails again.
ReplyDeleteI still love that Nova Scotia painting that started out with your stick lines. Of course, I really do love them all. You don't know how often I've wished to live on a boat. I once dated a man who lived on a sailboat and I just thought it was marvelous.
So glad you found studio time amidst all the upheavals of moving.
Hi there Keith!... Thank you for visiting and for your very gracious and encouraging remarks!
ReplyDeleteFeelings really do enter into the success of a piece so much more than size by itself! When one can convey the feelings one has experienced... from their heart... therein lies the "measure"... of a good painting!
Wildnerness places with solitude and tranquility are indeed a necessary common denominator in both of our processes!
Good Painting!
Warmest regards,
Bruce
Hi there Sherry!... Good to hear from you! Glad that you finally found the "lost" post HA HA!!!
ReplyDeleteBoats... water... the sea and the smell of all three are deeply etched into my soul! I think that I must have been a sailor... or lived one lifetime along a coast... in another life!
Glad that you enjoyed the paintings!
Good Painting!
Warmest regards,
Bruce
Hi Bruce,
ReplyDeleteGreat work and wonderful post. You have an amazing ability to follow through with all that you do, that's a great quality to have.
My very best to you,
Joan
Hi there Joan!... Thanks for your visit and compliments!
ReplyDeleteGlad that you enjoyed the post!
Woody Allen is quoted as having said:
"Seventy-five percent of life... is just showing up!"
"Say what you mean... and mean what you say."
These phrases work for me!
Good Painting!
Warmest regards,
Bruce
Amazing post, Bruce!! and of course, I love each and every one of your paintings!
ReplyDeleteGood Morning and Happy Spring Hilda!... Thank you for your always encouraging remarks about the post content and the paintings!
ReplyDeleteI often wonder if I don't bore my Blogger Friends with my posts because they often do run on to great length.
But on the other hand... they are sent with thought and purpose to support and encourage others... like your Self... who share my passion for Art and positivity!
Thank you for tasking the time to visit and respond in support! Much appreciated Hilda!
Good Pastelling!
Warmest regards,
Bruce
Hi Bruce,
ReplyDeleteWonderful post and nice to remember and pay tribute to your friendships and a vanishing way of life. Beautiful paintings, I love the one of Bush Island.
Best to you,
Sue
Hi there Sue!... Happy Spring to You! Thanks for dropping by and for leaving your encouraging thoughts!
ReplyDeleteBush Island is a place of pleasant memories and most certainly a place of changing ways. I often wonder about the small lad that I met there... he was a wonderful and talented young fellow. Hope that he found a good life!
Good Painting!
Warmest regards,
Bruce