Looking for Spring

The weather is dismal, with rain and grey.  The temperature is to drop to 0 degrees C, with the risk of frost tonight! I started a fire in the woodstove to keep the basement warm as the temperature drops steadily throughout the day.
The sun has attempted to permeate the gloom to no avail.  I am craving colour.  I am working on sketches for another painting, possibly Trout Lilies ( Erythronium americanum) and Spring Beauties (Claytonia virginica).

Inserted, are some examples of sketchbook drawings and photos on my walks, as I prepare for the next piece. 

Here is a link for information on our wildflowers: http://www.ontariowildflowers.com/

Paying Attention

“The capacity for delight is the gift to paying attention”.  (Cameron, Julia. The Complete Artist’s Way, 2007, pg. 66).  I woke early and took myself and Phoebe for a long walk in the bush this morning.  Time was the essence as there was still a magnificent crust on the snow but it would quickly disappear as the day wore on.  Temperatures are rising, and today was a different type of day for exploring.  The trail was opening up with large pools as snow melted, falling in on itself.  

Pretty flat rock, on the hill

There was plenty of activity in the bush, a myriad of tracks and movement.

A large moose had come down from the hill to get a drink in one of the pools formed from the spring thaw.  

Phoebe investigates.

There were different signs of deer activity from the tracks of a buck dragging his hooves, to that of a smaller doe. 

Wild turkey tracks were also evident, possibly passing through looking for food. 

 We wandered down to the pond and came across a lone mallard; skittish and wary.  I was not able to get a picture as he erupted in a flurry of wing beats while Phoebe and I approached the bank to get a better view.

The lagoon is almost open now.

Finished

I happened to scroll through my posts and realized that I hadn't posted the finished piece of Turtle Lake.  So here it is.  It will be one of the paintings featured at the upcoming show this summer, at Wood's End Studio.


This is the link: http://www.woodsend.ca/

Remembering Chippy Short-Tail

It feels like we’ve had a very long winter.  Spring continues to stall.  Early this morning, my little dog Phoebe and I took a walk in the bush and we were able to walk on the crust.  This is unusual for April; however the temperature was -5 degrees C.

Although, there is still a lot of snow in the bush, we are seeing slow signs of spring; the ice on the pond blackening, the cooing of a mourning dove and five Canada geese flying V formation to the marsh on Peace Valley Road.  During our walk, we came across a saucy red squirrel running for cover.

Yesterday, Phoebe and I spotted a chipmunk in my back yard, one of Chippy’s babies.  I called to the chipmunk, as he sat on the bricks watching us with interest.

Chippy Short-tail as I called her, was a curious little soul that first introduced herself five summers ago by jumping into my lap one spring afternoon as I was outside sketching.  She came by her name as most of her tail was missing.  I presumed bitten off, or caught on something.

Sketches of Chippy Short-tail. ©Eleanor Thorel

She became a constant companion each spring, summer and fall, looking for treats such as sunflower seeds and peanuts.  Rambunctious and daring, she thought nothing of climbing onto our laps, running along an outstretched hand and onto a shoulder.

Two summers ago Chippy brought her two babies whom I nicknamed Percy and Chippy Long-tail to visit with us.  These little rascals were constantly running into the house and then getting frantic trying to find a way out.  Last spring was the last time we saw Chippy Short-tail.

Sketch of one of the chippies in the garden.
©Eleanor Thorel

She had lived to be a good age; greying and silver backed her coat still shining and healthy.  We won’t see her this spring, but she will always be remembered.

Metamorphosis

This is the gradual transformation that takes place during the painting process.  I don’t have a name for this painting yet, but shown below is the set up of my work area and the stages the painting goes through.

I have my desk set up with sketches and photographs I have taken of the tiger swallowtail that was feeding from the nectar of my lilacs this spring.  

As you can see, I use butterfly studies as well.  All my research has been collected from my many walks.  These have been collected from my butterfly box.

This is the work so far. As you can see the painting gradually takes on a life of its own. I have started a page displaying a body of my work.  Check it out at http://www.facebook.com/EleanorThorel

Rainy Day

An early morning.  Phoebe is quietly and industriously licking her paws.  It is a sight to behold to watch her wash her face meticulously.  Her movements are dainty, almost cat-like.  As soon as I stirred, Phoebe yawned and stretched, asking to go outside.  So did the cats, Willow especially.  Everyone is polite and patient.  The cats and dog are learning to co-exist peacefully while I house-sit.  It is raining today, a steady rain now.  I have a cheerful fire lit this morning.  Hopefully, it won’t blow out with the low pressure system.  I always find it harder to keep a fire going when it rains due to the down-draft.  I love the sound of rain on the roof top.  It has a cozy warm feeling when one is inside, safe from the elements, warm and dry. 

The rain also heralds a more saturated water table, so those of us with wells can draw a sigh of relief.  It has been a difficult summer, having to conserve water.  We live in a country where water is readily available; so much so that we take it for granted.  Turn on a tap – Voila!  It is as basic as breathing...until there isn’t any, or very little.  I struggled for weeks in that predicament.  I wasn’t the only one.  Neighbors had moved out of their homes and gone elsewhere when it was critically dry.  There was no water anywhere.  Ditches, creeks, even ponds dried out.  There were fires in areas of Muskoka that entailed evacuating parts of the community.

So for today, while there is a lovely fire burning and my dog and I snuggled under blankets, I am thankful for the rain. 

This is an example of a piece that I call Rapids.  It is an abstract and monochromatic look at water. 

Work in Progress

It’s time to get back to the drawing board and prepare for another art show.   Although we are buried in snow and frigid temperatures right now, I am thinking of the lazy, hazy days of summer and am preparing for the Enchanted Forest Art Show this August.  

John and Marilyn de Lang are the hosts of this show each summer at their studio, Wood’s End. 

Below is a work in progress...