Spring


We had a beautiful weekend at our friends farm in rural Nova Scotia. Painting was on order and the weather cooperated providing a perfect background. It was too early in the year for the biting flies so I was able to work at ease. On the second day the early morning skies began to clear and the wind died down. I went out into the yard and set up to capture a view of the apple tree and garden that sat behind the house. At first there was just the tree and garden fence then one robin arrived on the scene. Birds kept arriving and I added them in as well. It was a prefect scene to be a part of and then the swallows returned and started to show off their flying skills with sharp turns and hovering all around. What a time to be there as birds took over the canvas and filled the view with the optimism and hope that only they can. 

Island

Island at Springfield Lake



When I first began to work with paint and images of the world around me the question of what to paint kept arising. The double whammy, fears of white paper and failure always lurked. Would I get it just right would other people see what I had seen? Luckily, with the help of great teachers I was able to get down to work and just keep on going. 

On this occasion, quite some time ago, I looked out the window and was greeted with a view of the island in the midst of the changing sky and water. I had learned to keep materials at hand for just such a time and not to question the event, only to respond through gesture punctuated with line and tone. 

That day I worked with water colours on paper which provided a portable and very direct method of working that has continued to this day.