Study: Shadows and Light

This has surely been a year of firsts. . . beginning with the national lockdown last February to a summer of social distancing, to new frontiers for back-to-school this fall, and then on to winter. In northwest Wisconsin, winter is always long – but it seems especially so this year. We are the primary caregivers for my Mom so we’re committed to being cautious about avoiding crowds, staying close to home and wearing masks.

But it has also been a month of joyous moments! A couple of sweet memories include gathering on a bright sunshine-y day with some of our family to celebrate my birthday at an outdoor skating rink, and being able to get away for a couple of days with Paul to explore Door County and deliver art to the Plum Bottom Gallery at Egg Harbor. We have so much to be thankful for!

And there are quiet days for painting! This week’s painting, Shadows and Light, 9” x 12” on 300 lb. watercolor paper, captures the deep shadows of a woods and grassy meadow balanced against the light of a birch tree.

Returning to the river!

In the midst of having to live fairly restricted lives due to the ongoing pandemic, we are grateful for the wonderful weather of this January. In contrast to previous years, this month has been perfect for getting outside and enjoying winter! A week of no wind and ideal conditions produced hoar frost every night and brought daily scenes straight out of story books, with everything - trees, barns, bushes and weeds - perfectly etched in white. 

This week, I’m returning to the river with fond memories of a lovely day in July. Wild River Cruise, 8” x 11” on 300 lb. watercolor paper, captures a kayaker enjoying the soft breezes and warm sunshine on this wild, scenic river.

Oh January!

The sense of chaos of 2020 has spilled into this month, but we are looking with hope to better days ahead. In our small group Zoom study, we are going through the book, “Sacred Rhythms,” and it has been a life-changing book for Paul and I – altering our perspectives on prayer, solitude, silence and habitus. As I understand it, habitus is the daily decision to listen to our conscience and practice the presence of God in our lives. Through cultivating habitus, we are better able to nurture the fruits of the Spirit (e.g., love, joy, peace, patience . . .) within us and respond to those around us with good. I am a totally flawed work in progress, but it has helped to lift my eyes above the current muck and be aware of the overwhelming need for care and compassion of the vulnerable in our own neighborhood, family and world.

Last summer, we took a social-distancing river cruise and it was a magical couple of hours on the water. This week’s painting, Sunlit Currents, an 8” x 11” watercolor, captures a poignant snaphot – a relaxed kayaker enjoying a dappled-sunshine day on the river.