Burns Lake #1

Tuesday's painting class, we visited the "Burn's Conservation Area".  A wonderful opportunity to paint water.  The bugs were annoying but the weather was beautiful and the reflection in the water was a great challenge!

Lake Huron Tues PM

Later afternoon the wind picked up and we could see the white crests of the waves almost to the horizon.  The shadows of the clouds were quite visible on the water, the sun glistening  brightly.  It would be worthwhile to make a few studies of the waves.

Sunset Lake Huron

One of the beautiful sunsets we oohed and aahed over.  Sky and water have a special attraction when you don't see them every day.  I feel so blessed to have experienced this.

Weigela #2

This was the first painting done on Monday morning of the Weigela bush.  The flowers were weighing the branches down and made them droop to the ground-lovely!

Weigela at Brentwood

The weigela was blooming profusely in the garden of  " Brentwood on the Beach".   Had a chance to quickly paint this little study on Monday.  Have to paint some flowers at some point. 

The beach and Lake

Tuesday morning, I braved the stairs down to the beach with all my equipment.  There was a nice breeze and the sky was filled with fluffy clouds which were reflected on the water. I am really not happy with the waves but will remember this idyllic place ever time I see this study.
   Painted for several hours in total solitude and then dragged everything back up the stairs for a delicious lunch and final meal of our stay in the house.  Thank you Chery O. for your helpful suggestions.

Lake Huron #2

This study was done on Monday afternoon.  Boy, the colour was constantly changing and the sky , Wow!  The instructor said it was a good idea to give yourself permission to make studies and not expect a finished painting st every sitting.  I know she's right!  One learns from doing it over and over!  Also good for future reference.  Think we need to spend a week or more doing this.

Sunset over Huron

We experienced a beautiful sunset over Lake Huron, the first evening.   This was the first lake study, trying to depict that glorious sight.  The canvas wasn't large enough to contain it.  I'm sure that no canvas is!

Painting Retreat

I had the wonderful opportunity to attend a painting retreat at "Brentwood on the Beach", a bed and breakfast on Lake Huron between Bayfield and Grand Bend.  The instructor was Cheryl O., who very ably and patiently helped us to improve our style and skill.  The location was perfect.  This is the back of the house facing Lake Huron.  I will post some pictures, later of the beautiful sunsets we experienced.  I tried to take the opportunity to paint the lake as often as possible. It was everchanging.

97 Farm

This little sketch was done early May at the lovely #97 farm.  I would like to make a larger rendition.

Early Spring in Troy

This  painting was done on a Tuesday evening early May in the village of Troy. .  It developed into more of a Van Gogh inspired work. It's a challenge to get back into "plein air" painting when the world is still bare.
We need to look for the beauty that's more subtle at this time of year.

First Iris

The rain has been good for the iris crop this year.  I am really enjoying the show in our garden.  Took a visit to the Laking garden but it is in transition.  There are some beautiful peonies and a much smaller bed of irises-still worth the trip!
      This variety is supposed to bloom twice a season.  Ours haven't done that yet but it's still a lovely specimen.

Blue House with Yellow Door

I thought this was just the most paintable house with its crabapple out front.  What to call it?  Blue house or Yellow door?   

Spring Fields on #97

I have been out painting on Tuesday evenings from the end of April(so early spring).  We started in Troy and then visited this lovely farm on Hwy #97.  The greens were so fresh and bright and the soil newly turned.  Wish we could slow the process down!  This was a view of  one of the newly tilled fields.  Have missed a few weeks because of rain.  There is lots of paintable material in the garden.