Patchwork

I had lots of time this morning as I was going to visit the art supply store before heading to my studio…. Time just slips by. Most of this morning I was waiting for the new program I bought to fix my computer. I spent most of yesterday on that project too. I now have thirty-four percent free space again… Big improvement. It meant, however, that I did not have access to my computer and it is now ten o’clock. Breathe. Let go. It is what it is. Yes! I have been doing far more en plein air this summer. This is the latest. I was on my way home from finishing up the mural when I stopped on a hill overlooking the fields. Lovely. I had noticed this spot during the several times I passed by on my way home. Looking around I also noticed there was a parking spot very close to where I wished to install my easel…. So on the last day I brought my paints. As with all en plein air work we are at the mercy of the elements. In this case I left the city with the expectation that the ‘smog’ would lift as the mural was almost one hundred and fifty kilometers from home. It became apparent that the ‘smog’ really was a general feature probably caused by some mistiness in the atmosphere, an unusual occurrence with our famous big, blue Alberta skies. It was still there when I had finished the varnish coat and I decided to be grateful that it was not raining…. Out came my camera as I roamed around for the best vantage point. A truck went by on the dusty road and I held my breath. No, the wind was blowing it away in the other direction. I chose a spot in the lee of the trees knowing there would be no added local colour in with the paint. Heaven!

Fun

Did I tell you I like a challenge? I love figuring out how to do the impossible or what seems like the impossible. I get premonitions too. I had had one on this mural and I had checked it out or so I thought. Monday it rained. All day. I was very thankful we had decided to leave the installation to Tuesday. My plan was I would treat everyone to lunch when the time came so I did not bring a lunch. It was the beginning of a comedy of errors. Did I mention I like to laugh? Those who know me can identify me by my laugh. Many say it brings them joy. I do not believe in making life miserable so I see problems as opportunities to be creative…. The picture shows the crew just before we discovered the second error. Each panel had been cut into four sections as the maximum size for gluing them to the surface is about four feet square. As we put up the third panel, above the boots on the right it was evident that the fellow would lose his head in what looked like a twelve inch error in height. There was a moment of silence. Enough for panic to set in. I had an excellent crew. Everyone calmly looked at me wondering what to do next. I decided the sections would have to be removed, wiped down and set out on the tarp so I could assess where to remove the excess height…. The fellow who had done the measurements was baffled as to where the error had been made until we looked at the doors again and noticed the rails upon which they rested for opening and closing had made the difference. I asked for the actual measurement and we found only six inches needed to be removed. No problem for the boy, there was lots of sky above his head, the father figure, however, filled the entire space. I decided to shorten his coat. Of course when we brought the sections together the arms and the hands did not quite match (they were holding hands)…. I was so glad I had brought all my paints. Me fix later. They were about to hand me the last section of sky when one of the crew noticed that the glue had been put on the wrong side! That is when I began to laugh. I suggested that I could get upset but that is a waste of energy. It is a lot more fun to laugh. After that we had lunch. Someone shared his sub with me and another his water as there were no restaurants in the area. We had a delightful day.

Artwalk

St. Albert holds an artwalk every first Thursday of the month April through September and the local businesses host different artists as their feature for the month. The Bookstore has actually created a small gallery at the back of the store in which artwork is presented all year long. As well artists can be seen painting in the street for the evening, sometimes in the rain. I have not often participated and I decided I would hit the streets on the 4^th of July. It was an exceptionally lovely evening and I enjoyed selecting the scene I would paint and drawing the complicated perspective involved in all street scenes. Another artist accompanied me at the same location so I chose to include her in the image. As the evening wore on the clouds began to build and in the end we lost the lovely light we had had at the beginning. Of course I forgot to take a photo when the sun was out so my references did not have the drama I usually like in my paintings. I did not complete the piece on location as a lot of the time I was talking to passersby so I took it into my studio and finished it there. I decided to leave the poster-like look instead of trying to remember the shadowing and the sunlit contrasts. It will be part of the Bookstore exhibition on August 1^st, the next Artwalk opening night. Looking forward to seeing lots of people out for the event.

All Set for Cutting

Two out of four are completed. It is amazing how the images come to life once the final details are added and the deeper values are adjusted. Things pop. Actually all four panels are finished at this point today. When I went to cut the first two up (a necessary step in the process of mounting the images on the wall) I had forgotten the isolation coat which I like to add before I cut it up. As I was working with the other parts I realized that the painting is not quite complete anyway. I am waiting for embroidery designs so I can finalize the blouses and shirts. There may be some work left to do on the skirts too. All in all it is a good thing I did not put the isolation coat on. I suspect the touch-ups and isolation will be completed on site after the installation. In that way I will be able to make any final adjustments necessary to bring into alignment the four. That was another challenge. Usually I like to be able to view the whole work together as I am painting because memory just does not cut it. How much purple did I use there? How dark are the shadows? Is the sun throwing the same angles in the shadows everywhere? Since there really are no shadows to speak of in any of the photographic references it is another example of artistic license. Dramatic light inspires dramatic paintings. Everything must be in alignment though. Soon this one will be out the door as well. I believe the unveiling takes place on the twentieth of this month…. I wonder if the walls are prepared…..

Balancing

Redwater Unveiling

Prayer time

Panic sets in just before I complete any large project especially when I have not met my personal deadlines. The Willington mural is to be done by June 30^th… except it is now July 1^st. Happy Canada Day by the way! We are about to have breakfast with our grandchildren to start off the day and since excursion for the fireworks has been cancelled this evening I plan to spend most of the day in my studio. In fact, for the next few days I will be painting in my studio way past my usual hours. The job will be done. In the meantime panic usually manifests in cranky. I was growling at my wonderful husband last week. Significant others for any artist must have certain qualities: patience of Job, a listening ear, solutions when asked for, faithful participation in public events, encouraging and loving support. My husband is a saint. In any case, the decision to attend a weekend retreat was on the cusp of being made. Before I make any decision, especially when I have stressed out, there is a lot of blue smoke in the air…. My kids used to run for cover. Things are not as bad as they used to be; old habits are hard to break though. I looked at my level of cranky and the distracting events that had kept me from my studio all week (one of them had been the unveiling in Redwater) and I decided I needed a break. I was in charge of of the prayer session for Sunday morning on the weekend and I chose to use watercolour to delve into spiritual realms. I feel rested this morning, ready to work, refreshed. It was a good decision. Now for breakfast!