And the Days Go By

                                                                      First Light
 Hi everyone,

This makes three sunrises I've seen this summer. The show starts a bit early for me. Just now the sun peeks its head over the horizon at 5:36 a.m. 

                                                                           Sunset

 We've had extreme heat waves this summer. Unbelievable really.  

 Now when the temperature drops to 24 C or 75.2 F it seems cool. On the hot days, I usually stay in, but yearn to get out there to enjoy the summer breeze. The good news: temps often drop after sundown, so it’s a perfect time for a walk. 

Unfortunately, forest fires are raging again this year. Among others, there was an evacuation order for a town I used to live in. 7000 people were evacuated from Labrador City to Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Nfld. The route took them over the worst unpaved “highway” I've ever encountered. And I have covered a lot of unpaved territory, including the shale cover of the Dempster Highway. But my drive to Goose Bay was a long time ago, so perhaps things have improved. I certainly hope so.

Because of the wonderful firefighters and the gift of rain, the evacuation order was lifted on Monday. 

People are returning to there homes which have, thankfully, been saved. Wonderful!

                                                                   

                                                            Can't resist the peonies.

                                    

Green tea

                                              Linking, among others, to T stands for Tuesday

 

* * * 

Easel and the drawing board items...

                         

                                              Trying out acrylic paint on a linen panel. (In progress)

Debating whether to add a small Goldfinch to the left side. I also want to make the foreground darker to incorporate a range of values. Maybe mix the light green paint with black which I do not have to make a deep green? I am used to mixing watercolour and acrylic is very different. Of course, I may just buy some green paint and call it a day. Sounds like a plan. 

  

 Speaking of Goldfinches, they are a joy to watch. Here in late August, they feast on thistle seeds. They are experts at fishing the golden seeds out of the fluffy interior of the thistles.

The fluff floats on the breeze and when I turn a corner and happen upon a finch or two, they will sometimes ignore me and carry on. 

 

                  Another drawing from Sargent's Portrait Drawing book.  Didn't quite get the tilt of the head correct etc. Fun to try these master copies though.

Tip: the distance between the eyes, should be the same as the width of an eye.

                                                             Pastels on Pastelmat paper. 

                                                     

                              I'll be travelling here and there soon, and will be back in the fall.

                              So have fun and be well.

                                             'Till next time...

                                                                  Cultivate Your Dreams 

                                 Linking to Link Parties via my link party page. 

                                                  Thanks to all for hosting!