Forest Tranquility

Our painting instructor asks some of us to be props for her interview by CHCH TV last Wednesday morning.  We were at Dundas valley Conservation Area and because of the heat , found beauty and coolness in the shade of the forest.  Had to get this painting going very quickly and didn't finish on site and still need to put some more  work into the front of the painting.

Pine Floor Board With Barns

Tuesday evening was hot and muggy  so I sat in the shade of some old farm equipment and japanese elm and used this old floor board from my son's century home to paint this wideangle scene of the series of barns at Andy's farm. The knothole in the board had a piece of concrete in it when I got it-to keep out the cold from the basement. You can see the shadows are lengthening and the willows were being tossed about by the wind.

Willows and sunset

My impression of the setting sun as it glowed through the willows and turned the horizon a yellow-green.

Andy's small Barns

The shadows had really lengthened as the evening progressed and the wind had picked up.  The willows and grasses were swaying and the temperature dropped so that sweater was indeed necessary.  Who would have thought after the heat of the day. 

Small sketch of barns

Last week Tuesday evening's painting session was lovely and the evening was lovelier yet!  First thing after setting up and choosing a location(so much to choose from) I painted this very small sketch. 

Birches in Flamborough Hedgerow

I had this long narrow canvas that seemed to be suited to something tall so tried this birch painting. Believe it or not, it was still hard to get them all in.

Birches on the 10th Concession

Took the opportunity last week to paint birches.  This was my first effort.  Find them very frustrating because there are so many marks on them but also many shadows.  What to leave out?

Poppies and Lupines

Poppies and Lupines from the neighbour's garden.   They sure don't last long.  Another reminder to "seize the moment".

Setting Sun

The last painting of the day using a palette knife and the leftover paint on the palette.

Spring Fields, Flamborough,evening light

This was painted a little later in the evening on the same location.  The shadows are really starting to move across the fields and the sky was showing more cloud.

Spring fields

The beauty of painting in the evening is the light!  The difficulty is that it keeps changing and becomes more exciting-so easy to get carried away and ignore the moment.  This was the first attempt at 6 PM after walking the trail and back to get my supplies.  Thankfully, there were few bugs and the sky was starting to cloud over.  We were sure hoping for rain.

Dundas Valley White Pine

The regal white pine tree has been immortalized by many Canadian artists.  It always beckons when we move to a new location.  This one was the first painting , this spring, outside.  The setting sun was playing with it's light on the trunk and branches and kept changing as it moved down the horizon, challenging us to try to catch that moment when the light seemed surreal.  I had to try this tree to regain the confidence to go on painting.

Barns in evening light(Troy)

A beautiful Tuesday with the anticipation of painting outdoors this afternoon.  We are painting at a location on a dead end of a country road with lot's of lovely possibilities!  This morning we had an inspirational Bible study.  Wow! Ready to go, now.  Psalm 145: All His mercies are over all His works.  And Thy works shall give thanks to Thee, O Lord!

Painting buildings present a challenge to this mathematically challenged artist.  This grouping had all kinds of issues with me(or me with it?)   Still had some fun with it .     

Yellow Irises

The weather has been beautiful but very dry!  Thanks for the rain!  Painted irises Thursday before they fell over from the weight of the water.

Sunset in Troy

The Spring painting season is here again and I'm revelling in the splendour of it!  I do need some time to find my painting confidence, to get back to that place where it gives so much satisfaction-but can still enjoy the opportunity to hear the birds, the rustle of the grass and the wind in the trees.  Oh, and those clouds are up there telling His glory in numerous ways.  In small broken ways, we try to do that too.