Trees and Things

                                                              Looks like a deserted island.
 Hi there,

       Another day along the river. Can anyone ever have too many of those? 

                      

                                                 Wonderful old trees along the Parkway. 

 If you been reading this blog for awhile, you will know that I love trees. Unfortunately, the nasty Gypsy moth caterpillars find them attractive and tasty too. When I was out at the Parkway recently, sitting at a picnic table under a tree, the caterpillars were falling on my head. I ran to better accommodations by the water's edge. 

In towns further down the highway the caterpillars have completely denuded and killed trees and are so busy munching others that the trees have lost the top quarter or more of leaves. Apparently, one adult caterpillar can chomp down one square foot of leaves a day. Parks Canada has decided to allow nature to take its course. I don't like spraying, but something should be done. It will take a really cold winter with temps to -20 to knock them back. One wonders when it will end. 

Such a beautiful tree.

 

First wildflower or a weed a Wild Pea, I think. Second one? Last picture Spatterdock, or yellow pond lily.

 Peonies ~ I can't resist buying a bunch.

* * * 

From the easel...

Nearly there.

Pastel on Pastelmat paper ~  Ribbons of Light 9 x 12"

Near the end of this painting I thought about adding a boat. But once the tooth of the paper is full, it's nearly impossible to add anything. Plans must be made early, I reckon.

An update on Terry Ludwig's pastels. I originally said I thought that his pastels were non toxic. I ordered a small box of his best loved colours and they did arrive with a warning.

I seem to be very partial to mountains and lakes and the sea, so I do have a few forest scenes in mind. Luckily, someone sent me several pictures that I can paint from.

For those looking for pictures to paint from. Here are two sites that provide free images:

Pixabay

Free Images

Lately my main computer requires at least three re-boots before it works. My son, Jesse, just built a whole new computer from parts he ordered, (he's obsessed :) and, luckily, he hands down the parts from his old computer to me. He also bought me a new hard drive so I am hoping for great results.

Since Blogger no longer sends email notifications, I exported my email followers to a new feed. For those following by email you will receive notifications of my new posts from Follow.it. You will receive an email to confirm your subscription. Thank you for following. I hope all runs smoothly. 

Late to the party, but I just finished setting up a Pinterest account with a few boards. I be pleased if you followed me, and, of course, I will follow back.

 I generally take a July and August blog break. I will be posting on Instagram. I hope to see you there.

Be safe, well, and enjoy the summer, or the winter too!

Cultivate Your Dreams

Leaving you with a real oldie today. 

 

Linking to Link Parties via my link party page. Do drop by for a visit; you will be glad you did.

  Thank you, ladies, for hosting.

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Idyllic Days

Hi there, 

Nearing the end of one of my favourite months. Beautiful June.

Now and then, I sit at the picnic table to the right and watch the boats cruise along the river.

              Doesn't this look like a lovely summer day.  Sunny, warm, clouds puffing by. Perfect.

You may, if you squint your eyes, or locate a magnifying glass, be able to see the Heron over there on the other side of the river fishing. (My kingdom for a telephoto lens.) I haven't noticed that many Herons around this year.  I enjoyed watching this one fish. They are intent and so still. Amazing.  I wonder from standing so still if they stiffen up like humans? Inquiring minds.

                                       I wish you could all smell the roses. So lovely!

A colourful spot with a stone inukshuk. The Inuit build these in the Arctic. They are used for navigation, hunting, messages etc. 

You may have seen this picture on my Instagram. I named this little Mallard "Capability." Eleven, yes 11 ducklings. And she does it all on her own. As you can see the well-behaved ducklings were swimming and feeding ahead of her near the rivers edge. I was setting on a dock. When she noticed me she reared up a little. I have seen other Mallard mothers attack other ducks that ventured too close to their ducklings. They can be fierce.

I had plans to go kayaking this weekend near this spot, but I hurt my foot on a walk. So I reckon I better sit still until it's better. Humbug!

* * *

    Pastel

I recently unearthed this happy little watercolour painting, and I have listed as a digital download in my shop.

                                                                       Until next time...

Be well and safe and stay huggable.

Huggable times are near.

Cultivate Your Dreams

 Linking to Link Parties via my link party page. Do drop by for a visit; you will be glad you did.

  Thank you, ladies, for hosting.

Happy June!

 Hi there, 

Happy June!  June: a beautiful month here in Canada. Yes, we wait for it. It has it all. Beauty, lovely sunny days with soft breezes, and sometimes a frosty night just to keep everyone on their toes. 

I took these sunrise pictures the other morning at 5:00 a.m. with my iPad. Although I wasn't thrilled to be awake that early, sometimes waking up early really pays off.

Tall Tales From the Easel...

Painted on Clairefontaine's Pastelmat paper.

Painted from a photo reference I took a few years ago.

                              

                                           Mostly mid tone to light values pastels on the plate. 

                       All but two are pigment rich Unison soft pastels. I love Unison's colours.

 Today, among other things, what follows will be some general information about pastels because I was asked for information by someone. 

When I started painting, pastels were a medium that I never considered using. Then I noticed a pastel painting that I just loved, and so I thought I'd give them a go. 

What are pastels? Prue pigment with a little binder.

Pastels have a couple of issues: number one they are messy, especially soft pastels, and they shatter if you drop one. (A mat under the easel would help keep shatters to a minimum.) Do I have one? No. I live and learn the hard way it seems. 😅

Some people only clean their soft pastels once or twice a year. I don't know how they manage because pastels get dirty after just one painting. The preferable way to clean them is to immerse them in a covered container with cornmeal, or rice, and give them a shake. For now, I wipe mine gently with shop towels.

Number 2: certain brands have cobalt and cadmiums. I believe Terry Ludwig's and Rembrandt soft pastels are heavy metal free. Although most pastel painters do not, I usually wear gloves. Pastels and acrylic paint dry out my fingers to a point where the skin lifts. (Not a comfortable or a pretty picture.)

Unison, Terry Ludwig, Jack Richeson, Sennelier, and Rembrandt are soft--dare I say chalk--pastels. Although Rembrandt's are harder than the others. They are all expensive. However, if you are just starting out there are cheaper brands. Mungo non-toxic comes to mind.

A lot of artists seem to shy away from Rembrandt pastels but I like them, and they are a bit cheaper than some of the others. I can't remember--for shame--but at a certain time of year most of the brands I mentioned go on sale. It may be November (I keep checking) when the good deals can be had. Mostly, I buy from Jackson's Art because their prices are very good, and the postage, depending on what your preference is, can be very reasonable. ( However, duty, that bane of existence, applies over $100.00)

I've only used oil pastels once so I can't really comment on them. 

                                                        From my memory banks.

I've been using Pastelmat paper hand friendly paper lately. Uart sanded paper is nice too, but it's so hard on the hands. You can blend on Pastelmat easily which some people like and some people do not. To blend on Uart,  a bit of soft pipe covering works well. 

Since neutral colours are also needed, I keep the pastel dust and chips. Although sometimes I can use the chips for precision mark making. (I put a tin foil trap on my easel to collect the dust.) One day I will

grind these down, outside, add water and roll out a neutral pastel or two.

Rule #1 never blow on a painting to get rid of accumulate dusk. You don't want pastel dust in your lungs. Give the painting a gentle tap and the dust will fall into the trap.

I do not use a workable fixative, mainly because I don't like the one I have. No matter how much I shake the can it still leaves spots!

( Rule # 3: Always good to spay outside even it you are using a low odor fixative.)

If you are running out of tooth on your paper, workable fixative works well, although it does darken the painting. You can, of course, cover certain areas and then spray. 

I will try another brand sometime.

(For framing, spacers are used so that any dust falls inside the mat and not on it.)

 

  FW Ink Purple Lake. What a wonderful rich colour.

Prismacolor Nupastels and the pastel pencils are hard.

I use Nupastel for under paintings and move it about with a fan brush dipped in alcohol.

FW ink also works well for an underpainting too. Not all papers are suitable for a wet wash, but Pastelmat, Uart, and Mi-Teintes Touch take wet washes well. There are others, but, at this time, these are the papers I use.

Why do an underpainting, especially because most of it ends up covered up? It's a roadmap and it gives a certain depth and richness of colour that generally peeks through here and there. I don't always do an underpainting. I may just begin, or make a few guideline marks here and there.

The hard pastels are good for adding detail at the end of a painting too.

Once you begin working with your soft pastels, it's a good idea to use a light touch because many layers go into a painting and you do not want to fill the paper's tooth too early.

I  hope this bit of general information proves useful.

 Give pastels a go.  I believe you will fall hopelessly in love with them!

* * *

Just now, in the woodland, an under carpet of Solomon’s Seal are in bloom. 

Correct me if I am wrong, but early evening seems a good time for taking photos. Just look at the light and shadows.

Wild Honeysuckle

Too bee, or is that 2B? 

Does anyone know what this beautiful little wildflower is?

                                  I am searching for an answer. It seems we must name things.

                                       Irises are spectacular!

                               

Wild violets are a favourite of mine too.

'Til Next Time...

Cultivate Your Dreams

Linking to Link Parties via my link party page. Do drop by for a visit; you will be glad you did.

  Thank you, ladies, for hosting.

Leaning Towards Spring

 

 

Hi there,

I am happy to say it looks like spring out there.

Along with spring, it's my 8th year blog anniversary. A big thank you to everyone who follows and/or visits my blog. Like countless other Bloggers, I can happily say that blogging has enriched my life. I have met many wonderful people and made dear friends in blog land.  A big thank you for reading along. I really do appreciate it. 

In July, Feed burner will no longer send my email followers notification of my new posts. Does anyone know of a free program that will take over this task?  If you are on my email list, you can choose to follow along using a reader such as Bloglovin. Personally I like Feedly. In the meantime, I hope to find a new program to transfer my email followers to. I will keep you posted. 

              Not much greenery yet on the farms. I'd love to tour that old house with the cupola way back                                                                               there in the field.

Dare I mention Covid?  (Skip if you wish.) I know everyone has reached their upper limit when it comes to this topic. But, compared to other countries, we are lucky to have supplies, and here, in Canada, the vaccines are trickling in. We are not out of the woods, or in any way in an ideal situation, but military and Red Cross workers are on their way to help alleviate some of the strain in the hospitals here in Ontario. The wonderful nurses and doctors must be somewhat relieved that some help is on the way.

   Further, we are in lockdown again, and there are a few cases of Covid in the building I live in. However, I am scheduled to receive my first vaccine on Friday. That thought gives me a feeling of lightness and trepidation at the same time. Trepidation because I don't get along well with the flu shot. (I'm keeping up positive vibes for this vaccine though.) It may be late fall or later before everyone gets a second vaccine. My second jab will fall on birthday in the middle of August. ( The best gift, I reckon. The gift of life.)

In some parts of the U.S., fully vaccinated people are having dinner with friends and family.  So keep the faith. It will get better. Soon...very soon.

The Trout Lilies with their yellow bonnets are blooming. Earlier, the wildflowers didn't look like they would amount to much because we had some very warm temperatures and no rain early on. Then came two days of snow which the Trout Lilies and other wildflowers seem to love. 

What a heart warming sight!

* * * 

From the Art Corner

Watercolour book marks.

                                                              

                                                             Pastel on Pastelmat paper.

                      I felt the urge to be bold with this painting. I've been following an Instagram account that post sunrises and sunsets pictures from Australia and New Zealand. Such amazing beauty!  So I am sure the colourful inspiration for this painting comes from admiring those stunning pics.

                              I hope everyone is well and enjoying spring or fall, or the tropics!

                                                                         'Til Next Time...

                                                                   Cultivate Your Dreams

Linking to Link Parties via my link party page. Thank you, ladies, for hosting.

"In the Air

    
 Hi Everyone,

     Spring appears to be in the air one day and gone the next. Fierce March winds have been blowing everything about. But I don't mind the wind. I love to hear it blow and it helps the snow disappear.

In March, long ago, skipping along as children we always said over and over, "March winds, April showers, bring forth May flowers."  In this ever changing world, I am glad to report that that still holds true.  

"It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade."

Charles Dickens

I haven't seen a robin yet. Too early I suspect. I do open a window in the morning and listen for their songs. So far I've heard: Geese (love to hear  and see the geese flying over) and Crows and Starlings. Crows and Starlings are not the best singers, but a bird has to start somewhere.

           

                                                                  * * *

From the Easel and other Tall Tales.

                                                

          Pastel on dark maroon Pastelmat paper. I thought I had ordered all one colour. Surprises are good though. 

I've heard of the Sketchbook Project, and I was surprised to receive this in the mail. It's from Brooklyn Art Library in New York. Why am I surprised? Well, because I didn't order it. (Just to be sure, I checked my Visa.) I assume some lovely person had it sent to me. So whoever you are (I have my suspicions) I would like to thank you personally, so please let me know who you are. For now, I thank you so much!  And I appreciate your kindness.

Rules: Art must remain within the 5 x 7 inch parameters, no gesso, and you can opt to have it digitized.

The library also has a bookmobile and they drive across the country, now and then, with the collection. Mine's from Volume 18 and it must be sent in by August 31, 2021. I may fill it with flowers. Decisions, decisions.

Printing Cards       

          

I haven't printed cards for awhile, so it took some time. My notes are geared towards someone who knows exactly what they are doing, or wants to begin in the middle of things.  And sometimes you just need to go back to square one.

                                          

I hope you all have a very Happy Easter! 

                         'Til next time                                         

                                                Cultivate Your Dreams

 Linking to Link Parties via my link party page. Thank you, ladies, for hosting.

 

Sunsets

 Hi Everyone,

It's Pancake Day. I usually miss it, but this morning I had pancakes with maple syrup. Did you?

In other news, winter has been mild this year; we've only had two really cold days. Just now, we are enjoying longer days and we are, of course, looking forward to spring. 

The question on everyone's mind: Will spring come early? Apparently it will if the weather predicting groundhogs do not see their shadows. In the US and Canada, ( 2 groundhogs in Canada) each year a groundhog is yanked from his warm burrow on February 2nd. This year they couldn't locate Wairton Willie, in Wairton, Ontario; obviously he packed up and moved on. Can you blame him? So in Wairton they threw a fur hat in the air and, oh joy, not one witness saw a shadow, so we will have an early spring! No so in the colder regions of the U.S. (Know that I feel your pain.)

Some people despise talking about the weather, so do forgive if you fall into that category. But Canada, it seems, has an agenda because we live in a country of extremes. Here, almost everyone you meet has something to say about the weather. When you don't know the person you are speaking with, the weather can provide common ground. (Yes, we converse with strangers here.) Most Canadians, I think, look forward to what we call "good" weather. I suppose it all depends entirely on your outlook. We do have many lovely winter days too.

So there you have it. The secret of an early spring in the northern hemisphere. I will post a picture of a good weather day for those folks who are longing for spring, but first a sky picture or two. 

                                                                         Amazing

                                                         My head remains in the clouds.

 

                                                      

                                                          Sunset. A little blurry, but so beautiful.

                                                                A good weather day:                                                      

 Fresh, green, warm and sunny with a slight breeze. Perfect!

Hang on. This will happen in a few months.

 

These days the tulips stand at attention on their sturdy stocks. 

* * *

From the Easel...

Pastel 

                       

  This painting has been re-worked a bit. I like it much better now. 

Paper ~ Canson Mi-Teintes Touch--pastel and mixed media. In other words multi-technique. Apparently, that includes charcoal, crayons and acrylic too.

I used a watercolour underpainting in certain areas. 

Would acrylic and pastel really work?

Paper ~ Pastelmat

              

                                  I'm currently reading the last book of  The Wolf Hall trilogy.                                                                                               

                 In case you haven't seen it, the TV series features the first two books of the trilogy. And Mark Rylance plays Cromwell. Cromwell has many sides to his character, including calm, cunning and ruthless. Brilliant. Shrewd. A master of revenge, yet loyal to Henry, in most things. (What choice did he have?) What an intriguing round character, especially viewed from a safe distance on the far side of history. But, still I think most readers will be somewhat sympathetic towards Cromwell. It takes a brilliant writer, I think, to make that happen. 

 Some critics found the depiction of Thomas More unfair. He definitely isn’t pictured in the novels in a favorable light like he was in A Man for All Seasons. I read that play many years ago, and in it he held the moral high ground. But I understand what Mantel's novels tell us about More rings true, although, as we know, historical fiction takes a lot of liberties. (The writer must not only fill in the blanks but make the story work.)

I’m no historian, but actions form history. History is complicated, messy and, in this case, the 'facts' were recorded nearly 500 years ago by who knows who. So what has been overlooked? What’s true? How many sources does it take to make it a fact, and are they reliable? What biases creep in--then and in the present day? (The plot thickens.)

Enter Thomas More the saintly inquisitor who stood against Henry and was charged and executed for high treason. (Apparently he was canonized in 1935 for as near as I can determine  his martyrdom. There's much this grasshopper doesn't understand.) 

Anyway, word has it that More instituted his inquisitor tactics, without mercy, on the strength of his convictions. And we all know what can happen when a person with power believes they are absolutely and unequivocally right. 

I may read Thomas Cromwell:  A Revolutionary Life by the historian, Diarmaid MacCulloch, one day because of the research that went into it. It may be as close to the facts as one might get. For now, I will  finish reading The Mirror and the Light, take a break and then look for books to read with a little less heft.

                                                         Any recommendations?     

 

                               Tea: Numi's aged Earl Grey. Very tasty! And I love the colour. 

                                                           'Til next time...

                                                    Cultivate Your Dreams

  Linking to Link Parties via my link party page. Thank you, ladies, for hosting.