A Moment Blessed

"A Moment Blessed" - this painting is based on one corner of the ceiling in the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of St George, here in Saskatoon.  It was finished Christmas eve.... which I mused about as I realized I was just completing the part with Mary and the Angel.

The beauty, the care, the artistry people put into such places of worship always amazes me and I am grateful for people who do this.  I often wonder that, if we spent more time in quiet contemplation of the beauty created by mankind and of the natural artistry of God, we might have less conflict and hate in this world.

I have likely posted this blessing before but it inspires me, calms me, and pushes me in a meaningful direction.  May this coming year - 2015 - find our souls well.

A Blessing for Equilibrium

Like the joy of the sea coming home to shore,

May the music of laughter break through your soul.

As the wind wants to make everything dance,

May your gravity be lightened by grace.

Like the freedom of the monastery bell,

May clarity of mind make your eyes smile.

As water takes whatever shape it is in,

So free may you be about who you become.

As silence smiles on the other side of what’s said,

May a sense of irony give you perspective.

As time remains free of all that it frames,

May fear or worry never put you in chains.

May your prayer of listening deepen enough

To hear in the distance the laughter of God.

~ John O'Donohue ~

(Benedictus - A Book of Blessings)

Seasonal Sale

I will be hosting a "Seasonal Sale" of my Artwork 

and would love to have you drop by 

for a visit and cup of coffee.  

Bring a friend if you like. 

Most paintings will be reduced 20%. Cards are $2.00.  

Three of Matthew's Photos will also be for sale.

TIME:  Friday Dec. 5th 4 - 8pm & 

Saturday Dec. 6th 10am - 6pm.  

LOCATION:  7 Leyden Cres., Saskatoon SK

Reflections

This summer we were at the Aquarium in Vancouver. While waiting for the dolphins to 'perform' I was drawn to the adjacent pool where the beluga whales were swimming around.  The shadows from the trees and skies made the water a beautiful deep green-blue with white shadows were the belugas were.  It was absolutely lovely and I was mesmerized by the colour.

While methodically working my way through the watercolour "Fallen Leaves" [see last post] I wondered how I might paint even a part of this water. I had prepared three 24 X 30" canvases by painting them a dark blue.   I knew I wanted to do them in acrylic as opposed to watercolour and I came to realize that I wanted to do closeups of small areas of the water.  Finally, I decided it was time to try the liquid acrylics I had purchased last summer. Thankfully I had purchased some pouring medium which increased the ability of the paints to flow and mix together.

Three full days of work resulted in the paintings below.  I think I might try a few more water paintings but will certainly need to replenish my paints before doing so.  This way of painting does require a lot of paint and I was thankful for one of our local art shops [http://huesart.ca] which I could get to quickly to purchase more paint!  Hope the colour harmonies bring you joy.

Fallen Leaves

Finished!  I hope this reminds you of the beautiful autumn colours wherever you are.  I've also added a watercolour I did several years back of the leaves and berries of a Cranberry bush I found at the Forestry Farm.

Fallen Leaves - Watercolour 12 x 17" 

Daydreams - Watercolour 17 x 12" - Sold

Fallen Leaves: progression

Each day a little more gets done on "Fallen Leaves" but with this type of painting I need to take breaks.  Last week I purchased a number of cd's at a book sale so I have been checking them out as I've been working - seeing if they are 'conducive' to such detailed painting.  Classics for Relaxation and Meditation, CHANT by the Benedictine Monks of Santo Domingo De silos have 'passed the test' and I will listen to them often.

But my favourite so far is one I picked up at the local Book Store using a birthday gift certificate, which somehow makes it a bit more special.  The 2014 recording by VOCES8 titled, 'Eventide' - "the magical space between day and night.  Eight perfectly blended voices, embraced by ethereal instruments, make music to beguile, inspire and soothe." It includes such beautiful pieces as the Seal Lullaby, Underneath the Stars, Corpus christi Carol, Benedictus, Ave Maria, and my all time favourite, O magnum mysterium by Morten Lauridsen. 

Since I prefer absolute silence while painting this, having a cd on, is new for me and I am finding that it is okay.  When the music stops I actually consider taking a much needed stretch break. I need more of those breaks to release the tension which develops in my arm, shoulder and neck.  When I paint with acrylics I seem to use different muscles somehow... perhaps a different type of music will be needed then.

"Fallen Leaves" - progression so far...  next the finished painting!

Fallen Leaves

Yesterday I began a new painting!

My two favourite seasons are spring and autumn.  I love seeing new life poking through the last mounds of snow in the spring and in autumn I am fascinated by plants as they let go of their visible life and make way for the long winter rest.

I came across some fallen leaves on the path under our oak tree and was amazed at the clarity and colour - I am also amazed at the pictures my iPad takes!  They are so clear and vivid.  After several days of pondering I decided to paint the leaves in watercolour.  First, I set up on excel the size I want the final painting to be, then I print it.  I also make a smaller print because it is usually just a tad more colourful than the large printing. As I paint I refer to both.  Then it is time to begin the slow transfer using carbon paper on to the watercolour paper.  While tedious it is necessary - and if I did not do it this way it would take me hours longer to draw out and transfer.  For many years artists have projected images on to paper then traced them.  This is the hidden, necessary structure behind the final painting.  Taking the photo is the inspiration:)

Then begins the slow meditative push and pull of water and paint, the adjustments of colour.  Where to begin is usually a conundrum. This time I turned the picture around and began at the top.  Then there is the wondering if I will actually be able to put together a harmonious blending of colours, if I will lose the light/white places which are essential in watercolours.  Now, after two days of work I am at the stage where I am liking what I see and want to proceed.

I know there are many hours before this painting is finished but I thought I'd share its beginnings as a way of reminding us all to appreciate the beauty of autumn's endings.

Roses

Just finished a small study of peachy-yellow roses.  Approximately 8 x 10" and done in watercolour.

It took some time but the much larger "White Roses" painting sold at the gallery this last month.  I think roses and peonies are the most interesting flowers to paint.

One more set of rapids....

Well I think I've finished with rapids for now!!  Here is the second painting... not sure I like how it turned out but I'm tired of it for the moment so any changes may need to wait for awhile:)

Rapids.2  [30" x 40" acrylic]

It's been a long time!

Summer weekends when I was growing up often found our family packing the car, loading up the trailer, and travelling north to the lake country.  We had our favourite lakes but they all had a smell and freshness along with a beauty which stays with you.

"Many years ago" I actually spent time canoeing the Churchill River system and even swam Otter Rapids.  A recent request for a painting of one of the many rapids in the system reminded me of my "yesterdays" and gave me a longing to travel north - must write that into next summer's agenda!!

Here is the painting - a compilation of a number of views so it could likely be one of many different rapids.  I actually enjoyed doing it and was pleased that I did not need to fight with the acrylics as is often my habit...  maybe I am settling into using them - finally.

Rapids.1   [30" x 40" acrylic]

Big Sky Artists at Cowan Lake

Ten of us traveled north to Cowan Lake for several days in the forest and by the lake.  What a refreshing break in the midst of colder weather which was threatening an early fall.  But we have had a reprieve and I'm so thankful for the sunshine and warmth this week.

A few photos from the trip:

holiday vignettes

So many interesting things to see…..