Cedar, Stony Swamp, Ottawa, ON, Canada, 12H x 9W inch watercolor and graphite on 40lb cold-pressed premium watercolor paper. Framed size 26H x 22W inches.

Nature Insists, growth through rock, North Carolina – 9H x 12W inches graphite, watercolor and graphite on 40lb cold-pressed premium watercolor paper. Framed size 26H x 22W inches.

Takkakaw Falls, Yoho Valley, B.C.  830 feet high, said to be the most impressive waterfalls in North America next to Niagara. 12H x 9W inches graphite, watercolors, based on antique Vandyck photos of the Canadian Rockies. Study only, not available

Mt. Assiniboine, about forty miles southwest of Banff, Alberta. 12H x 9W inch watercolor and graphite, study only, not available.
I inherited some charming antique books of hand-colored “Vandyck Photogravures” of Canadian Rocky Mountains scenery as it was at the turn of the twentieth century. The monotone sepia and few other pale colors add such a warmth to the already beautiful scenery in the 1910 photographs, and since I haven’t tried watercolors for years, I thought they would make perfect studies.

During the Christmas season the Oak leaves on the tree in our front yard were bright orange-red, and have only dropped during the past two days, whereas other years they would have fallen mid-December. While raking yesterday, the proudest of all begged for portraits!

Sky Diver- Basil stem and roots (this is the last of the root-sculptures for a while I think) – this one has a thick stem, removed with PaintShop Pro.

Confidence, tomato stem and roots garden sculpture

Fear, another root-system garden sculpture from a Basil stem and roots.

 

There are an incredible variety of oak trees common in Texas. Here, a Gambel Oak leaf blew into our yard, and the tree is no where in the vicinity!  The winter light casts long dramatic shadows around 11:15 a.m.

 My studio is filled with all the things I love, including inspirational images and shelves of favorite objects. I still have Art supplies that I used in Grade 2, and hang on to various space-consuming materials like too much cardboard and a bulk of previous work. All this needs paring down at least once a year, and it’s always enlightening to sort through.

Rediscovering things long-forgotten, like this cartoon by Saul Steinberg (1961) that drew my attention years ago, I spot links and relevancy to my recent work, revelations about short and long-term goals, and patterns of recurring themes I still wish to explore.

One immediate association that comes to mind through Steinberg’s cartoon is how our visual sense speaks a language of its own, even completely on its own.  For an artist, what a boost to take a second glance at how powerful images can be. We have high unrealistic expectations for words, speech, and logic alone; as if they are complete and final once expressed and need always be perfect. Beyond that, it’s a curious thing how, even if we speak the exact same language, words can fall short, be misinterpreted or misunderstood.  Personally, I’m grateful to rely on a creative drive that allows for infinite forms of expression.

In our progressive age of high technology and wireless everything, it’s the Human factor that now needs refining. We still need to develop the abilities to effectively communicate with each other. Intrinsic to the intense desire to communicate, creativity thrives… always has and always will. The power of our emotions, usually given values of negative or positive, are all rather the same when it comes to Art and creativity: they become useful in learning, as a means to transformation and going beyond our own personal limitations.

What I thought was going to be a simple tidying and organizing of the studio became a surprising source for renewed perspective and motivation. I highly recommend it, but you will probably be sidetracked by all the old pictures!