As I drive the back roads to and fro on errands and in search of painting material (both occur simultaneously for me)... the wildflower natural gardens alongside every road add further "cred" to the previous paragraph. Day Lily, Chicory, Milk Weed, Queen Anne's Lace, Golden Rod, New England Aster and Joe Pie Weed are in full flower together signalling the last strains of the summer symphony of wildflower splendour which wave upon wave... add richness and colour to leas and fallow fields.
This favourite painting of mine aptly entitled "Summer's Transition" clearly addresses the joy that this period offers to me. Collectively... these late summer blooms join together to create Summer's final fanfare. They make me aware that transition is underway and that preparations are to be made. My thoughts drift towards acquiring dry firewood... before the supply is suddenly gobbled up by frenzied buyers in October. That search is on for me!
On a more personal level... August was traditional month on the Sherman cottage calendar for the meeting of the clan at our cottage to celebrate three birthdays. August 16th is my Dad's birth date... August 19th is my sister Chris's and August 21st is circled to honour my Mom's birth. Making the transition from life to death has necessitated a change in our August celebration. No longer do we gather at Shangra-Lai. It has long been sold. Neither are my parents present to be feted in person. My sister lives miles away... in more ways than I care to admit... so my celebration is reduced ... out of necessity to a quiet personal visit to Oakland Cemetery to place flowers as my ongoing tribute to the memories they created during our family life together.
Gone... but never forgotten!
"August... on my Mind" is an oil on canvas 18x14 inches. This "stillie" clearly embodies my memory fragments of past Augusts to include the ever-present "Mom" wildflower bouquets and the "Dad" cornucopia of succulent peaches... sweet corn and melon. The carefully injected card from my Dad's "Inner Sanctum" basement hideaway... says it all... "Keep Smilin'"!
"Thank You... for the Music!". is yet another tribute to the gift of music that our folks left us to pass forward... as each of us has in his or her own fashion. The painting now hangs in my son Andrew's home. Hoping that he will pass it forward and make it a part of Wee Mac's journey. Life's a whole lot easier to bear... when you carry a song in your heart... and on your lips!
"....And the Beat goes on!" Thank you... both... for the Music I still treasure and listen to!
I will be out there painting en plein air this weekend in the company of my ol' paintin' buddy Frank here in the village. It's "Prohibition Days" Weekend here in the village - a big deal! Another kind of celebration...
But that's another story... for another post! Stay tuned...
On a closing note... I offer this salute to another pal of mine... through thick and thin:
"
Sometimes... Peace lies "out there.. where no man has gone before"
"Nanoo... Nanoo!"... Good Day and...
Good Painting...to ALL!!
Love the painting of flowers and fruit. The background is so interesting as well! I always love hearing of your memories and your family, Bruce!
ReplyDeleteHi Sherry!... Thanks for your interest and comments!
ReplyDeleteThe curtained background was partly painted and partly printed using patterns from a paper doily... great textural device!
Good Painting!
Warmest regards,
Bruce
Hi Bruce, "Summer's Transition" has always been a favourite of mine as well. It's such a beautiful way of encapsulating the time of year.
ReplyDeleteI would find it hard to start planning for winter this early, but your preparations have certainly stood you in good stead in the past couple of years.
I hope the weekend is going well.
All the best,
Keith
Good evening Keith!... Glad that you enjoyed seeing "Transition" again... I never tire of seeing it... it really does fully encapsulate the state of change at this particular time of year.
ReplyDeleteGetting wood lined up and the fireplace serviced is never too early to consider in these parts. It's a free for all when the cold drops in suddenly... and it can begin in earnest in mid-October.
The hydro can go down as well... due to rain or wind in these parts... poor lines and many under trees.
The weekend is well under way... but unfortunately... rain has been about all day off and on! A strange summer!
Good Painting!
Warmest regards,
Bruce
Dear Bruce, the summer and what a summer it has been. Here on Long Island, we enjoyed delightful weather, never too hot or too cold, just perfect. Enjoy your plein air painting with your friend, it always nice to have a painting buddy to share the plein air experience. I will be looking forward to your next post. My very best to you and Deb.
ReplyDeleteHi there Joan!... We have struggled with the weather throughout the entire summer in our parts. But...C'est la vie... EH??? HA HA!!
ReplyDeleteRained throughout most of the Prohibition festivities weekend. Too wet and windy to paint... but Frank and I hung out... and that's fun too!
Our sales have centered around smaller more portable items too all sumer. Glad that we spent the time creating these newer items over the winter. Paid off for us ... in spades..so far! Two months to go!
Hope that your sale went well saleswise for you!
Good Painting!
Warmest regards,
Bruce
Hi Bruce, it's me again. Yes, you are so right about the smaller works selling. What I have noticed with the last 2 shows, people are buying smaller original paintings. Prior to this past year, prints sold, now it's originals. I sold two small paintings, what I call table art. I was thrilled. So maybe that is the way to go, happy to hear you did well, sorry you didn't get to paint plein air. Take care.
ReplyDeleteJoan
Hi again Joan... One must put their head to the tracks and listen.The economy is uncertain... and the competition is vast and far-reaching. Too many hands... too little money and confidence to let go of it! Plain and simple!
ReplyDeleteGood Painting!
Warmest regards,
Bruce