July has seemed to evaporate and the clock is running... as our gardens tell us that. Each morning I head down to the dock to regale Mr. Golden Sun's arrival and to use the silence and solitude to plan my day. I have to pass along the length of our flowerbed which lines the approach to the Gallery... and on each occasion the garden reveals new change. I feel much in tune with the precision and rapid shift in floral dominance... as change occurs as regularly as a clock.
The much awaited annual arrival of the host of day lilies in our garden has begun to fade. Their radiant reign... rich in colour is almost fully run its course. Black-eyed Susan's... bluebells... wild Queen Anne's Lace... now podded milkweed and this year... unwanted mushrooms on our lawn under the apple tree signal the sly approach of August. Summer is surreptitiously slipping away.
I did manage an enjoyable plein air day here in Rockport... shared with my Rochester NY painting friend Paul Taylor. Paul, like myself is an unabashed "River Boy" driven to paint and share river views we share in common... or on two sides of the river. On this occasion... the main ingredients we focused on were SSSSS... Sunlight.... Solitude and Structure. We found that at SSSSSS ... Seaman House... nestled on Old River Road on the other side of the Parkway. I took Paul there because the owners have created lovely gardens to couch their historic stone cottage home.
"Summer Glory... at Seaman House, Rockport" - oil on canvas 10x12 inches SOLD
Here is my small canvas which recorded my own responses on that outing. I have saved it to use here because it fits into the theme of today's post SSSSSplendidly! Another river friend person... just arrived thought it splendid enough too. SSSSpendid enough to hang a SSSold sticker on it two days after I hung it in the Gallery!
In closing... here are some floral bouquets from our Islesview Garden for your viewing enjoyment - your own personal Rockport Garden Gallery Tour! Enjoy!!
Deb's Nook...
Good Painting... Gardening and Happy Summer... to ALL!!!
Glorious indeed, Bruce. Lovely painting and no surprise that it sold so quickly!! Your yard is just beautiful!
ReplyDeleteGood morning Sherry!... Thank you for these glorious and uplifting comments... they do much lift my "wilted" creative spirit!
ReplyDeleteThe garden has been spectacular this year... and has given me much personal pleasure... and a diversion from many of the worries that came our way out of the blue.
I have a 4x8 foot mural project... from scratch which will soon get underway here ...totally en plein air here in the village. Stay tuned.. to watch it [hopefully] grow to maturity
Thanks for dropping by Sherry!
Happy Summer!
Warmest regards,
Bruce
Hi Bruce, I'm glad you're having a good summer, and the garden is certainly looking at its best.
ReplyDeleteThe season seems to be missing us out here this year. We've had unusually cool temperatures, and even a risk of frost on a few nights! There hasn't been a lot of sunshine either, with heavier rainfall instead. The County Show was a quagmire of mud this year. We've more or less written summer off now, and we're hoping that autumn will be better, so that we get some warmth before the long winter returns. Nature doesn't let you get complacent in these northern climes!
All the best,
Keith
Hi Keith!... Nice to hear from you... but sorry to hear of your summertime blues! The weather here for the last few days has been torridly hot... humid... with heat warnings issued. Needless to say... plein air is not on my mind at all. I do not tolerate heat or humidity at all. I'm a basement dweller by night... and shade seeker by day!
ReplyDeleteOur garden will need some TLC... and watering tomorrow, though showers are forecasted for Thursday. Fingers crossed... I hate using the well to water flowers... seems a waste of fresh water... and I always leave it to the absolute last. A watering can drink here and there... is the plan.
Hope that autumn brings good painting weather to us all. I have my firewood being delivered on August 10th - YIKES!... A scary thought!
THanks for dropping by!
Good Painting!
Warmest regards,
Bruce
Hi Bruce. Your Seaman House painting is delightful and inviting. Not surprised it found a new home quickly. I agree completely about the value of sketchbook journalling. I've garnered many painting ideas from my sketchbooks. Sadly they have been neglected of late but i am once again inspired to get back to it after reading your blog. It truly is a wonderful way to spend time and to generate new ideas. Thanks for the great post. So glad to have stopped by.
ReplyDeleteGood morning Ross!... Thanks for dropping by! Glad to hear that the post struck a chord with you. Sketchbooks were my first tools for gathering information... and like all artists, we let the digital camera supercede and replace them... a mistake I think in my own case.
ReplyDeleteI too, aim to get back into the practice of using mine more frequently... I do miss the pencil feel that one gets in searching out the structure of a subject. Sort of like reading using a Kindle... instead of the actual book. That tactile content is a very strong part of reading enjoyment.
Good Painting!
Warmest regards,
Bruce