Change . . . of Place.

Achill Island, County Mayo, is an amazing place located on the western-most edge of Ireland. We discovered this place on a whim – I had signed up for a seaside painting class that was subsequently cancelled – but by then we had already reserved a house on the island. The cottage communities on the windswept hills seek shelter along the beach strands or behind small groves of trees and hedges. But there is a magic here. White sand beaches give rise to haunted ruins, mystical fairy leas, remote villages and a tribe of hospitable people – all who bear witness to the strength of home and family in the face of eons of change. 

This week, I'm preparing for the January show at artZ Gallery in Amery, WI. With the theme, "Change," it's presented a welcome challenge to spur my creativity. This week's painting, Island Brooke, 4" x 6" watercolor, captures a freshwater stream flowing to the sea. 

 

Thinking about May!

I know this seems strange, but it's the time of year when many artists in this region are registering for the Earth Arts Spring Tour 2022. It’s always held the first full weekend in May, and this year, I’ll be celebrating that weekend with an exhibit at the artZ Gallery in Amery, WI. This time of year, I usually navigate toward “snow” pictures, so thinking ahead to Spring is a bit of a stretch. But the deadline is three days away - yes, I'm still that "pressure-prompted, deadline-driven" individual - so I'm thinking warmer thoughts this weekend and painting for Spring! 

This week’s painting, Resilience, 8” x 12” on 300 lb. watercolor paper, features one of my favorite trees – the White Pine – growing with determination out of a rock outcropping in the middle of the St. Croix River.  

 

December Snow

We are waiting today. A major snowstorm is predicted to hit our area later this afternoon . . . and so we wait. Paul went to the grocery store early this morning – it was packed with others stocking up – so we are thankful that the pantry is full, fresh batteries are in the flashlights, the birdfeeders filled . . . and we wait. I think this is why my spirit absolutely craves this time of year. The options for activities are limited and I can’t just flit from one thing to another. I need to take time and pause – to sit quietly with one of the cats on my lap, to paint, to write a letter or read a favorite book. There is healing in this time, and so we rest and wait.

And in this season of Advent, we are preparing our hearts for Christmas. This week’s painting reflects an iconic sight, Eagle Harbor Winter. One of our favorite places to visit, this 8” x 11” watercolor captures the historic Eagle Harbor lighthouse guiding mariners to safety in this region of the Keweenaw Peninsula of Upper Michigan.

November Gales

It was an exceptionally fine Fall here – filled with warm sunshine and magical colors on the trees through November, including the grass growing right up to two weeks ago! And when the cold finally hit, it seemed a cruel shock. Our son Jack was here from WA when the first snowfall happened and walking out to the truck one morning, he paused and asked what was that sound. I listened and announced: It’s snowing, Jack. His response: No way! Snow doesn’t make that much noise! Well, it does when it’s sleet and full of frozen water! Haha! We just took a quick road trip to Door County and as we drove into Ephraim, the wind was howling off the lake with the waves pounding up against the harbor docks and rocky shoreline. It reminded me to be thankful that I don’t have lake-front property – the Great Lakes are especially filled with wild unpredictability!

I recently took a “Gales of November” watercolor class with Artist/Instructor Paul Oman. He is a terrific teacher, and it was fun to hone skills in painting a lake storm and the resulting “confused seas.” This week’s painting, November Fury, 9” x 12” watercolor, reflects crashing waves along the shore of Lake Superior.