Spring, really?

If you never lived in the North Country, you can’t really appreciate how we celebrate warm Spring days. Only by living here can you understand how fragile and fleeting are the days of sunshine, warm breezes and the promise of new life. This week, we had three wonderful 55- to 75-degree days – and with Paul’s willing spirit and muscle, we raced outside each day to begin work on a new garden space. But now it’s the weekend and the forecast is for a high of 32 degrees with possible snow accumulation! It’s enough to trigger sinus infections in the strongest of souls! In spite of temperamental weather, though, I continue to gather new plants (there are four roses growing in pots in front of the living room windows) and faithfully bring in at night and set out in the morning the many pots of violets and pansies from the outside decks.

This week’s painting is an ode to summer! Beyond the Dock, 9” x 13” on 300 lb. watercolor paper, reminds us of peaceful, warm days and taking in the beauty just beyond the edge of the dock.

Shadows and Light

It’s that strange time of the year – between winter and false spring and winter and real spring! Last week, our yard was drying up nicely and we even celebrated by setting up the picnic table and chairs on the deck! This week, we are back in the crush of winter with 8 inches of snow/snirt (really dirty looking snow) and cold temperature again. The birds have been in “feeding frenzy” mode at the feeders for the past few days and even the recently arrived Robins are resorting to eating sunflower seeds in lieu of worms!

It seemed a good time for a study in light and shadows. This week’s painting, Evening Shadows, 8” x 12” watercolor, captures the silhouette of a sailboat moored off the shore of a darkening landscape.

Celebrating the river!

I haven’t painted for a couple of weeks, so it’s fun to get back to the easel. The first version of this seemed to be too "bright," so I added more shading to enhance the depth of colors. This new version of the painting, River Watch, 11” x 15” watercolor, seems to better capture the late afternoon light on the river.