Playing

If you've had the patience to keep checking this site for the past year you would be forgiven for thinking I had fallen off the planet, or simply stopped painting.

I'm still feet down on this earth and have been steadily painting but don't have too much to show here because I am working towards my first solo exhibit - June 2010 at the Terrace Art Gallery. When I tell people that they think it is miles away but for me it's close. I am not a speedy painter. I need/take plenty of time for contemplation and observation. More about the upcoming exhibit will be in my next update to this site - hopefully this time it will be less than a year before I get my butt back here.

I'm also working on two book projects with two writers. The first of these series of paintings is here - Papa Taps Each Tree. I'm excited about these two children's stories; one about the making of maple syrup by Brenda Lawrence and the other an idea percolating between Eileen Brown, her grandson Isaiah (real life star of the story) and myself.

As always I have more ideas than the time to pursue them. I like it this way.

I have a "studio" now too! I am no longer in that tiny triangle beside the bed. Our son moved out and took his music studio with him so I took over the space. This is a much better arrangement. If I can't sleep I can paint without disturbing my husband and if he wants to go to bed before I am done I don't feel compelled to quit.

This quote from R W Emerson hangs in my new space:
"It is a happy talent to know how to play."

Papa Taps Each Tree

acrylic on canvas, 12x16, $200

Cedar Lumber 4 Sale

acrylic on canvas, 30x30, $900

Radelet's Cherry Tree

sold

Some of you may recall the story about Radelet's Cherry Tree - how I painted this tree on Davis Street and was going on childhood memories of the Radelets having lived in this home. Well, Davis Street has changed a lot since I was a child. Radelet's house is gone.
By some lucky coincidences I discovered that the tree belongs to Karen Chrysler. I've since connected with her and was saddened to learn that the tree is dying. She is doing what she can for it but an arborist said that it will not last. One of my projects now is to do a little research to find out how old it is and get more information about the Seaton family who originally lived in the house and probably planted the tree. I'm also planning to paint it again - this time in winter. Last time I was like a stalker, sitting across the street with my sketchpad. Now that I know Karen I can go right up and sit beneath the tree. A few weeks ago I was in the medical building looking down at it. A carpet of yellow leaves lay in a circle beneath it - maybe for the last time.

acrylic on canvas, 16x20, $320

The real danger in repeatedly walking a forest and coming to know it; of watching the trees grow over one's lifetime, is that the trees belong only to your soul and not to your hand. When another's hand has the right to take the them down, and they do so, you are left with only shock, grief and the memory of what was.

As I was nearing the completion of this painting, a hand written sign "Cedar Lumber 4 Sale" was propped up in our neighbour's driveway.

Life is precarious at best.
Change is the only thing we can count on.