Winter gently laid down more 6cm of snow during the night. It was a beautiful sight to look out and find tree branches and village roofs decked out in fresh snow as the first light of daylight saving turned night into day. Yes... I did make all of our clocks "spring forward" that extra hour before heading off to bed last evening!
While many are angered by Winter's reluctance to depart... I am patient. In fact... I search for pockets of "fugitive" snow deep in the woods long after it has disappeared in fields or along side roads. I revel in finding it... and usually take time to paint it. But "I" am a lover of Winter!
I have decided not to ramble on... as I am accustomed to doing in my posts. For a change... I have decided... simply to let a few of the many paintings that I have made over thirty years "speak" on my behalf. I humbly hope that these express the deep and abiding love and respect that I have for those individuals and families who have "sweetened" my journey ... for so many Springs. I can't imagine a Spring's arrival without "Sugaring off"... the return of Canada Geese... the American Robins... or the Red Wing Blackbirds. These are the true measures of the return of Spring for "Me"!
"The land-holder who appropriates a few rods of land to the preservation or cultivation of the sugar tree not only increases the value of his land, but confers a benefit upon future generations."
-Superintendent of the United States Census, 1860
My deepest gratitude to the Smail, Sunderland, McCutcheon, Jones, Brown, Tackaberry Lalonde and Greenlaw families... and a host of other landowners who allowed me to visit and paint in their sugar bushes over the years! Thank you all!
Happy Spring! ...and Good Painting to ALL!
Happy Spring! ...and Good Painting to ALL!
