Always Expect the Unexpected
Plein Air at Lake Katherine
Plein Air at Lake Katherine
I was involved in my art piece, in my zone you might say, oblivious to
everything but the scene before me and what I was doing. Then, a sweet,
soft voice behind me said, "Hello". I turned to the voice and before me
stood a lovely young woman whose face I recognized from her posts on
Instagram. I started following her because the majority of her posts
were photos of Lake Katherine, a place I've painted at numerous times,
then she started following me back.
I chose to go there to paint that day. She chose to go there and take
more photos, and the dots connected. We had a lovely brief visit,
introducing ourselves and exclaiming how nice it was to meet. Then we
began texting, exchanging photos and getting to know one another more.
At that moment of our meeting, a star was born, a star of friendship,
something I had no expectation of happening that day.
Life can go on day after day with the seemingly same mundane stale
energy at times. Nothing seems to move. The air seems stagnant. The
taste in your mouth sour and stale. Then. . . unexpectedly a gem drops
from the heavens into your zone and lightens up the surroundings.
It's happened to me many times during my lifetime, and I'm sure to you
as well. All seems dull and flat. . . until the treasure drops and life
is sharp and in 3D again. An old friend comes back; an announcement of
a grandchild on the way; a new challenge; a new endeavor; a new person
comes along. All gems that seem to come at a time when the heavens know
you need it most.
I guess that's why we need to keep plugging along with hope. Never
giving up. Never bowing to despair. But to know we are loved, looked
after, and always expect the unexpected.
Image 3766774
finished piece 8x10 soft pastels
finished piece 8x10 soft pastels
I'm grateful for my new friend who took this photo unbeknownst to me as
I was in my zone. And the finished piece bears witness to the peace
this scene held for me. A family of about 7 swans glided on the lake at
one point. Think I'll add them in later.
So be aware. Keep watch. Keep up your hope and faith. . . one day at a
time. . . as you never know when a treasure will unexpectedly drop in
your lap.
_____
birds eye view - 11x14 oil
birds eye view - 11x14 oil
I love all things in nature, but birds by far are my favorite. I guess
I love their freedom and ability to soar. I love seeing them perch on
the tippyist top of a tree, overlooking the landscape with nary a
thought of 'heights' which I'm scared to death of!
Up in the heights we can see the big picture. Life is more than a
postage stamp of events. When we keep ourselves on the ground too much
we tend to focuse on dirt, pebbles, dried leaves, mud puddles, etc. Up
in the heights we see valleys, grasslands, a sprawling town or village,
and the air is better up there too. Get my metaphor? If your afraid of
heights, like me, let your mind do the soaring. Get it on that highest
branch and view the big picture.
The above painting was done with the same method of previous
backgrounds, letting the paint and solvent do the work instead of my
brush. A friend in Seattle knows my love of crows and is always taking
and sending me photos. This is one of hers. Thanks Sandy!
_____
Crow 8x10 oil
Crow 8x10 oil
While we are on the subject of crows :) here's one of my favorites. I
painted this crow without using any black paint from the tube. The
background was done over a year ago when in class at Door County. Our
teacher was having us do exercises in making backgrounds with little
planning involved and then find a subject to paint. It took me over a
year to figure what to put on it. . . then wha-la! Using a mixture of
dark green and dark red transparent paints I got a beautiful rich black
color. By far he's one of my favorites! Framed and keeping an eye on me
in my studio. . . he looks like he can make magic happen!
_____
Schoolhouse 9x12 soft pastel
Schoolhouse 9x12 soft pastel
To continue speaking of magic, this place sure abounds with it. Yes.
It's The Clearing in Door County. I seem to beat it to death but I
can't help it. One day feeling lonely and sorry I cannot go there this
year (all classes canceled) I put myself there while painting a photo
of the schoolhouse and studio where I spent most of my hours at when
not walking in the woods.
Making art, painting places you love or looking at art takes your
spirit up a notch... no....several.
_____
Bluebird 5x7 watercolor and pastel
Bluebird 5x7 watercolor and pastel
Snowy owl 3x5 oil on black canavas
Snowy owl 3x5 oil on black canavas
Both of these paintings were done while I was in a 'no-zone'. No-Zone,
for me, means "I don't know what to do with this piece of paper,
canvas, etc." So I sit and stare at it and wait. Then the ideas come. .
. and then the piece is born. So, moral of the story? Just because your
not in the mood or don't know what to do, take something, even a blank
piece of paper, stare at it and let your mind do the 'walking'.
_____
Daydreaming Miniature Art
Morton Arboretum 3x9 oil
To Walk Alone 3x9 oil
To walk alone along a nature path is quite a special time, if you make
it so. You can reflect on nature, talk to your God, listen to the
sounds being made around you (hopefully birds and crickets instead of
people sounds). Listen to your heart instead of another voice; listen
to the wind instead of tunes; view the scene before you. It's healing
to be in nature; healing to give yourself alone time too.
_____
The Marsh land 4x12 oil
The Marsh land 4x12 oil
A lone tree and a lone bird. Done in grey scale.
_____
Indiana Dunes 4x12 oil
Indiana Dunes 4x12 oil
_____
Lone blue flower
Lone blue flower
While on my morning walk in the neighborhood, I happened to see a blue
speck among the green. Looking closer I see this lovely little blue
flower blooming among the weeds. It was the only one.
I didn't pick it. I don't like picking flowers. . . prefer to let them
live where planted instead of in a vase of water on a table.
So there seems to be a lot of a 'lone', or 'alone', theme among my work
this time around. Something I enjoy and it manifests in my art. .
_____
Winter Plein Air
Winter Plein Air
Thank you for reading my Artful Tales. Hope you enjoyed them.
Next month be ready. . . for a Halloween Edition! My favorite time of
the year - October!
Bless you all!
Painting with Passion ~
Arlene
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