A Sneak Peek - This Place Where We Live ~ "Winter's Light"

"Winter's Light"

oil  

24" X 36"

Some of you may be aware that I am having an art exhibit in November. I have been working hard in the studio for this past year learning all that I can about the process of painting with oils. After 28 years working primarily with watercolours, I felt it was time for a new challenge. I have always appreciated the richness of colour and texture that can be achieved with oils and have decided it was time to give it a try. I have learned a lot and I know I am only scratching the surface but it is exciting. If you are interested in receiving more information about the show please sign up as a member of this blog and I will make sure to keep you posted.
Now back to the studio I go!

Life is a Dance ~ Poem

I have been reading through my journal from my last trip and found this entry I would like to share with you ~

I have just arrived to the small village of Portofino on the north western Italian coast.

As I look out across the harbour filled with reflections of sailboats shimmering liquid in the early morning light I too find myself reflecting on my reasons for coming here.

It has been said that there is no need to venture so far from home on a quest for reasons even I can barely put into words. Is it really that important to paint and write your way around this world of ours? Don’t you think you have enough on your plate already? Is it really necessary? What about your responsibilities at work and home? What about your family and friends who depend on you?

These are all very good questions.  I have considered them all very carefully and truly appreciate the sincerity with which they were asked.

The only thing I can say is that there is a force inside of me that continually shows me this direction. I have learned many things about myself while travelling, painting and writing and have come to the conclusion that this is what I am meant to do at this particular time in my life.

Finding the balance will be the ultimate challenge, and I do feel I am on the right path.

Life is a dance

One day you lean this way
the next day twirl around to the other
The rhythm of life will always push on
the gift of life will show us
a way to sing
   a way to breathe
a way to be
  a way to live
a way to flow
   a way to smile
as you make your way
round and round
this life full of wonder
this life with no bounds ~

As I search for my balance, may you also find yours.

Back in the real world

I have been back to reality now for a while and must admit I do miss my travelling feet. It was so nice to wake with a brush or pen in hand everyday and explore a new area of this wonderful world we live on.

Now the pen is directed to book work and filling out order forms for my store Northwoods Gallery & Gifts. This, I realize,  is a required element in my life as it allows me the opportunities of travel again in the future. I do hope one day to sell the store which will enable me to immerse myself in the arts of painting and writing, but for now I will be happy to squeeze minutes from my day to continue on with my art. Who knows what tomorrow brings, it is today I have and I will endeavor to make the best of it.

I've had many welcome me back to this side of the world and all are full of questions. I see the spark in their eyes as they ask me what it is like to see all of these magical places. Did I manage to get some good painting and writing done? What was my favorite place to visit? Would you do this again? Can I come and carry your brushes for you next trip? As I write this I am smiling wishing I could take everyone with me to show them firsthand this incredible world.

I am presently working on writing a book and my hope is through my paintings and writings others will see and experience what my eyes and heart have seen.

Lawren Harris wrote "Art is long, life is short. A picture can become for us a highway between a particular thing and a universal feeling.

My hope is that this highway be a long and interesting one for each of us to explore. I have many stories to share and will post them as time permits.

Now the studio awaits and my brushes are calling!

Hiking Adventure part 2 ~ Italy

Another half hour passed as I made my way along this mountain path....or should I say crawled my way along!  The path was narrow and the climb steep but the views were spectacular. Here is one of the many vistas I will one day put into paint. You can see Vernazza harbour about 1/3 down in this photo.

Here you can see how narrow the path is. This young girl literally went "out on a limb" to create a passing lane. You can't tell from this photo but the drop off was very very steep.  I was quite happy to stay on the path!

Finally I could see Vernazza harbour. This little fishing village was a sight for sore eyes! If you look carefully you will see a stone tower on the highest building along the waters edge. My next photo was taken from the top of it.  I still have about another half hour to hike ~ I am so glad I am almost there!

I made it! I am happy I did this hike but am I ever glad I can take the train back to 

Santa Margherita!!

Hiking Adventure part 1 ~ Italy

 After painting and writing my way around Santa Margherita for several days,  I asked many other travelers and towns people where they thought the most picturesque area would be for me to go

and paint. Many recommended I take the train to Monterosso, a small fishing village not too far away.  

And so my adventure begins.

They were right in saying how lovely this place was. It is an old medieval town with narrow streets and stone walls tucked into a small sandy cove.  

 I could find many things to paint and was sitting in the town square deciding what my subject would be when I noticed on the far side of the town there was a path with many people walking in both directions. I thought I'd better check it out to see what was so interesting. Knowing I was in for a bit of a hike I donned my hat, sunscreen, made sure I had a full bottle of water and set off.








It wasn't long when I realized I was in for a bit of a challenge as the wide flat path now turned into narrow stone stairs. I asked a young couple walking towards me where this leads to and they said the small town of Vernazza was the destination and it was about 1 1/2 hour hike. The day was still young and I felt the exercise would do me some good - especially after all of the pizza and pasta I have consumed!

Half an hour passed like molasses as I made my way around and over a mountain. I took a small break to take a picture of the village I just left. It seemed so far away now and could barely see the  small sandy cove from where my latest adventure began.  It was then I was thinking to myself that I could still turn around and go back to Monterosso but somehow that would mean defeat. I was not a quitter....yet nor was I an Olympian. The views were spectacular.....I forged ahead.                      ~To be continued~

Elba ~ Italy

The following sketches were completed on the beautiful island of Elba which is off the west coast of Italy. The sandy coves, old fishing ports and quaint villages high in the mountains make this a painter's paradise.

Low Tide ~ Elba

Hilltop Village ~ Poggio

Hidden Cove

Rocky Shores

Morning Mist ~ Elba

I have been fortunate to visit many wonderful areas to paint and have to say the island of Elba was one of the most beautiful I have seen so far.

Along the northern coast ~ Italy

I decided to walk back along the winding coast from Portofino to Santa Margherita on a warm sunny afternoon. The road was narrow and winding with many cars zipping by. Too bad for them because I feel the only way to appreciate this part of the coastline is on foot. I came around a corner and saw this tall narrow rock with a tree growing out of the top. Strange to think this is even possible. The locals call it “La Caraga” which means The Chair.

I have been waking with the sun everyday and this particular morning I went for a walk just as the sun was rising. The light was soft and hazy and the streets were quiet. This is my favourite time of day. The only others I saw were fisherman preparing their nets for the day. 

Now to explore more of the town and the narrow streets. Another day to be filled with painting and writing...it's great to be alive! 

Cinque Terre ~ Italy

I have been staying in the Port of Santa Margherita. She is a spectacle of colour tucked away between many jewel like villages along the north western coast of Italy. On my first day here I simply wandered the streets admiring the beautiful frescoes on these tall narrow buildings. How in the world am I ever going to be able to get the perspective right! 

A few days after getting to know this wonderful seaside town I caught a bus to Portofino. This is another little gem of a village waiting to be painted a few kilometers away along this northern coast. There were such wonderful colours and light to be explored but unfortunately many tourists as well. I am told if I were here a week earlier I practically would have had the place to myself. I find that hard to believe looking out now across a sea of people!

Today the sun shines again and I decided to go for a hike. I came around the corner and saw this picturesque scene. What a perfect day!

                                                                       
 


Since returning to the hotel I have worked on a couple of sketches of a particular cove between these villages. My view was from several meters above looking down into the deep aqua blue waters that was surrounded by towering pines. Very difficult to portray in paint as it was such a majestic sight and tricky for me to convey the height from which I was standing.

I plan to do a large painting of this in oils when back in my studio. I do love a good challenge!