April 21, 2012

Grey and Green

Grey and green. That seems like a good summary of the past week. The weather is definitely grey (gray if you prefer) and cold and wet.  It's the kind of weather that slows everyone's pace.  Mine for sure.  I wasn't idle at all but my days moved slowly. I'm feeling a little computer fatigue too. So much effort sometimes with hard to recognize results.

The natural world is waking up around me. Slowly and surely, there is more green and bits of colour all around.  I brought my camera on my walk with Meeko yesterday, as I had seen wildflowers the day before. I almost walked right past them as everything was tightly closed. Even the plants miss the sunlight.

It's not just me. Even Meeko looks like he's in a pensive mood. Mind you, I don't spend as much time thinking about robins, seagulls, dog biscuits and squirrels as he does.

When Chloé was little, I sometimes called her Mademoiselle Mélasse (Miss Molasses) as she had a slow way of doing things.  I think I would carry that name well too sometimes. I am slow and deliberate in my thinking and my artwork. I have been working on a painting this week, slowly but happily.  Here's a little peek at a corner of it.


"Everything that slows us down and forces patience, everything that sets us back into the slow circles of nature, is a help."

May Sarton

10 comments:

  1. Oh I love your post today. I can relate to what you wrote, except the lack of sunshine, which we get on a regular basis.
    "So much effort sometimes with hard to recognize results." Oh boy I hear you. I'm slowing "recovering" from my last phase of thinking the same. But when this idea sticks to your mind, it's hard to shake it off, I know that.
    I love the quote you used at the end, so very true. Everyone should slow down, if not from time to time, then forever !
    And oh yes, I love love the ball of yarn/twine you've painted, just plain terrific & so good !
    xoxoxo

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    1. It helps that you understand. Knowing people like you is the 'good' part of all of the effort and why I know that ultimately it's worthwhile. I appreciate you and your warm support so much. Just found that quote but love it so much. xo

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  2. i just adore this time of year
    and i admire how much patience you have with your detailed paintings

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    1. It is my favourite time of year outdoors. I think sometimes my patience borders on craziness but I don't know how to do it any other way. P.S. Your comments are always so thoughtful.

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  3. Those photos are beautiful, I'm loving the twine, it's so nice sometimes to take the time and do something painstaking and slowly developing. It's looking good! A feather might look nice, with a colour splash? Meeko looks so lovely too, he's very photogenic, my dog is so hard to capture, being black (with grey bits) it's been grey here too, and more to come, uugh! Rain, Rain, we do need it, there are hosepipe bans in some parts, but maybe not after all this rain?

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    1. Thanks Julie. I appreciate your lovely comments so much. There is something developing 'slowly' to the right of that ball of twine but I am keeping it hidden for now. We are once again sharing weather. Oodles of rain.

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  4. Love your pictures...especially the buds on the trees...they are full of hope and potential. Love you

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    1. Hello sweet patron of my art. Those buds are exactly as you named them. Love you too.

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  5. So looking forward to seeing the "secret" of this piece revealed!I have a ball of twine just like it! Reminds me of times as a child we would unravel an old sweater for mum to knit something new. We had the job of winding the wool ball.

    Slow can be good. I sometimes envy those that can churn out abstract art pieces in a manner of minutes before my eyes. Free, loose, expressionist images that are dry and hung on the wall long before I have even finished my initial sketch for a watercolour piece!

    But it all comes down to doing what makes your heart sing. I like some of the contemporary art, but it's not for me. I'm afraid I'm an ole fine detail gal. Bugger! No quick, loose 5 min pieces for me!

    Hope your sunshine returns soon!

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    1. Hi Cindy! I finished the painting a couple of days ago and was waiting to have the print finished before I showed it, but the print is taking longer than planned (is my frustration showing?).

      Slow, representational and detailed. All good. We paint from the same book..er..canvas...er...paper! And yes to hearts singing while we paint!

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Thanks so much for taking the time to visit my blog and to leave me a comment. I love reading them. -- Kathleen

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