I Love the Rain

I love the rain.  I love the quiet elegance of my garden when it is drenched with rain--the dark gray pavers, the black earth, the subdued contrast between the plants.

Rain is also associated with childhood memories.  When I smell the rain-soaked earth, I think of camping trips when I was young as it rained so often when we were on family holidays.

I walk in the rain.  I garden in the rain.  Probably the only time I don't like it is when it is rainy and very, very cold.

When I walk with Meeko on rainy days, the walks are more intimate.  I am less likely to see as many fellow walkers.  And, especially on the days with hard rain, when I do pass someone, there's often a nod, an unspoken camaraderie.

This morning's rain was quite lovely and light.  Here are a couple of images from my walk this morning:

"Some people walk in the rain, others just get wet."

Roger Miller

Tiny Painting of Muscari

Here's a little painting I've been working on.  I've photographed it in my hand to give you a sense of scale.  (I think that photo makes my hand look gargantuan which it is not...so I will give you the actual dimensions of the paper too -- it measures 2½ x 3¾ inches.)

I love working small and used to paint miniature formats exclusively.  Now I also paint bigger at times too, although 'bigger' to me is not the same 'bigger' to someone else. :)

I have also been working on my Pathway painting, adding details here and there.  I wonder if you can see the difference?

It is a grey and rainy day here, but I'm about to brave the elements, as my fluffy, four-legged friend doesn't mind any kind of weather. We're off for a rainy walk.  We may even walk along the pathway.

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(Speaking of my canine companion, I have just discovered that, while I was writing this post, he was eating the corner of one of our sofa cushions.  I heard him chomping but thought he was working on a toy.  I most definitely need a walk now!)

Skies and Snakes Alive!

Today, I owe thanks to fellow bloggers and artists Geninne and her friend Margie (both have beautiful blogs, so do have a look) for my inspiration. When I 'walked to work' this morning, I got a certain distance from the house and then ran back for my camera. The sky was absolutely amazing! Maybe it's because I've been painting clouds this week that I'm more in tune with my atmospheric surroundings. Or maybe it's because I'm adopting the eyes-wide-open way in which both Geninne and Margie view and record their worlds. Both of them encourage their readers to go outdoors and soak in the details of nature around them. Today's walk brought me some stunning skyscapes.  (Oh, my painting hand is itching.)

I also got some lovely shots of wildflowers, seed pods, chestnuts and berries.

Other photos might have been lovelier if they were in focus. I didn't include them. (Dear self: please remember to bring your reading glasses next time so you can actually see what is on the LCD screen of your camera.)

We are very lucky to live in a picturesque suburban neighbourhood but both Geninne and Margie I think would make the point that there is beauty in every backyard and neighbourhood.

My morning walk also brought me some unexpected sights. Yes, indeed. Can you spell S-N-A-K-E? Eeeeek! I am not fond of snakes. That is a polite way of saying that I hate them. In the end, it seemed as frightened of Meeko and me as I was of it. It slid off the path and then remained stationary--perhaps hoping that we would pass by quickly. Meeko was unfazed. Brave? I'm not even sure that he noticed it. I was still shuddering when we were well past it. I even shuddered when I was looking at the photo on my computer. I'm shuddering again right now.

And it was an interesting role reversal for Meeko. Usually he's the one tugging me to allow him to stop and sniff.

Today, I was the one tugging him and asking him to stop as I saw scene after beautiful scene that deserved to be photographed in my very own neighbourhood.

Walking to Work

September 1st. A day attached to so many changes and new beginnings.  Today, my youngest daughter begins high school. (In Quebec, high school is from Grade 7 to Grade 11.) My eldest is now in Grade 11. I'm sure that my youngest had butterflies in her stomach as she waited for the bus this morning. I will admit to having some in mine too. I know that she will do beautifully, but it is a big change all the same.

Now I have longer days to concentrate on my own pursuits. I am more determined than ever to get my art career back on track. I need to make sure that I am spending time each day in my studio. I also need to allow myself computer time to continue learning Photoshop (the beast!) and to get more comfortable scanning and making digital prints of my paintings. I have long lists of things in my head that I want to do. But, most important, I just need to paint. When I started this blog, part of my thinking was that it would keep gentle pressure on me to stay focused on my painting.

A while ago, I read about husband and wife musicians who worked at home on their farm.  They began each day by 'walking to work'. What a good idea! It's a way of physically signalling that the work day is about to begin. At home, it is so easy to become distracted and sometimes, in a creative sense, paralysed. So my faithful companion and I began our day today by 'walking to work'. And now, with my cup of coffee in hand, I am walking upstairs to my studio. Wish me luck. I hope to let you see some paintings I am working on in the days ahead.