34 x 36 Oil on Linen
I kept a journal for a year, faithfully recording my life as an artist. Here is my entry from
Saturday February 20:
I couldn't tell if I was dreaming
or awake. I was at the scene in my painting, at the pond. I could feel the
crisp cold air and the warm sun on my face. The kids took no notice of me at
first and the two young lovers were in their own world too. I watched the
clouds roll in and took notice of the movement of the branches on the trees. It
was all so vivid, so alive. This is how I want it to be in the painting. One of
the kids gave me stick and asked if I wanted to pass the puck around with them.
I joined in and became part of my own painting.
I woke early and took our dog, Mika, out for
her morning snuffle. I fed her, started a fire in the basement and one in my
studio, and turned up the gas flame in Elizabeth's studio. When I got back to
the house Elizabeth was up and ready to start her day too. We chatted and had
breakfast together. For 31 years this has always been the way we start our day.
She prepares her breakfast and I gather mine. We sit and discuss the events of
the previous day and world events, and share how we see the day going forward.
Once the day gets started events can take on a life of their own so we always
take a little time each morning to enjoy each other's company.
Finally I'm in the studio with a
full day to work. After my semi-dreamlike night I knew exactly what I wanted to
do with my painting. I worked hard, but lovingly, on the young couple, trying
to make them look like they were in a world of their own. And I worked on the
kids, the ones I was playing with just a few hours ago. I wanted them to be
alive, in motion, focused on their play as they moved through the crisp cold
air. It took all my talent and training to bring them to life. It was a good
day, I had a brush in my hand.....