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| "Pond's Edge - Branches" watercolor on paper, 11"x15", VClaff 2015 |
I
need a week off to go deeper into work in the studio. Not going to paint is an exercise in
discipline right now. When a crack opens into the mystery and I find myself sinking into
a kind of deep soul state while painting, the desire to let everything else wait is strong. With the cold weather coming, wood to be put in and the usual responsibilities of life and teaching, tasks cannot be put off.
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| "Pond's Edge - Laurel" watercolor on paper, 8"x10", VClaff 2015 |
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| "Maple" watercolor on paper, 11"x15", VClaff 2015 |
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| "Mysterious Light" watercolor on paper, 11"x15", VClaff 2015 |
It's good to be working again, good to be sinking deeply into these mysterious
tree-worlds, good to have at least some time for it. I had so much time
over the summer, but other things needed to happen... timing is
everything. I've learned to trust it.
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| Tree & Cloud - small study, VClaff, 2015 |
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| Small study, VClaff, 2015 |
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| Small study, VClaff, 2015 |
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| Small study, VClaff, 2015 |
The celebration of color continues - a short trip around town for errands is
magical. Walks up the road are slow to soak in the fire of autumn.
We've had the first flakes of winter, but nothing really stuck, and Rhu seems
happy with the shifting of the seasons. I am, too - warm fires in the hearth,
roasted roots and steamed kale and fresh cider and the time of bare
branches swiftly approaching. For now, though, the most extraordinary
tapestry of rusting colors covers the hillsides and I find myself gasping
at the beauty of it.
25 comments:
Hi VA - love your small studies - like taking a tiny look into your forest; and the autumn colour of course is a delight. But do get that wood in to be warm in winter. Go well. B
yes, it is that time of year where certain chores need our attention. i tried chipping away at them here and there all summer and yet some wait until just before winter comes. my ponds surfaces froze last night.
your paintings are lovely and serene and your photos beautiful autumn.
The autumn courts are beautiful, . I love this time of the year. I love your paintings too especially the first one.
Half the wood is in... the other half waiting to be stacked. I thought that would happen today, but it raining more than predicted, so it will wait until days free this week. The studies are like a meditation when I first start work of the day, things happen in those small worlds.
Oh my, a frozen pond surface would send me scurrying to get the wood done. Soon there will be freezing here, too, but for today, rain. So, the wood must wait another day!
Thanks, Rowan. Yes, the time of year is so magical to me - both with the color and subtle transformations - and not so subtle - and the time of letting go into winter and the deep roots.
beautiful new work!
such a beautiful post full of autumn light
Thanks, Jude, its getting there... wherever that is, and of course, I'll never GET there, truly.
Thanks, Mo, autumn light is magical to me.
strong trees in the new work. and yes, round our places fall is here. in a moment or three the snow will fly.
Well hello there and hello Rhu!
I too am learning to trust timing. Serendipity and coincidence, and all those everyday instances where things are just right.
After having several very turbulent and uninspired years following school I felt like I had lost all of my creative spark. I haven’t yet felt quite right about painting again, even though I’ve purchased all of the supplies. They just sit. Over the years I’ve purchased several sketch books and made fleeting, minimal use of them.
But finally I think I’m onto something! I’ve taken up a new type of art making this year and finally had some time to work on it. Cross stitch. But not the country crafty type that you find the pre-made patterns for… With my partner's help I’ve got Photoshop going and I’m making my own patterns. I’ve only made a few so far, and only brought two of them to life. I can’t get enough of it though! I had all kinds of grand ideas of making gifts of them. Until I realized how long they take to actually make. After a good month of work I haven’t even finished the two I’ve begun!
I feel more like me than I've felt in years and it's so exciting and I'm just so wrapped up in it!
Best to you as you get your home ready for its long winters nap.
Let's hope a LONG three moments until the snow flies, 2 cords still awaiting my attention and just a few days of teaching before I can get to it!
One definitely needs to find the right medium or creating just loses its spark, for sure! Hope the cross-stitch takes you far!
Dive deep in your more than beautifull artmaking
I really love your latest paintings. I feel as if I could step right into them. Autumn is so inspiring where you are. And Rhu - well, what a poser he is. He has taken so well to being your muse. x
It is so lovely to see your images of fall and trees, leaves and color... living in the tropics, it is a season that we miss, I did manage to have one one foggy day that I captured as autumn in art journal, I will share it soon, as I was thinking of you and your trees .. happy Autumn x
"Maple" is my favorite one. It's so exquisite and not like others. Thanks for giving a deep insight into your works, Valerianna. How do you manage to keep watercolors so obedient?
Thanks, Jay Guit
Thanks, Yvette :)
Haha, LeeAnn... he is my muse, and my biggest nuge!!
Its taken me so long to respond, Caterina, however, I did read this in autumn! Now its really starting to feel like winter. Sending you some mist.
Thanks, Jay, Maple is really quite a different one, not unlike work of a long time ago and yet very different as well. Funny how that is.
It's really very sophisticated. I know that watercolor is difficult to manage.
Cheers,
Jay Guit
I started experimenting with watercolor when I was a teenager, so its a very familiar medium to me. I continued to always make watercolor paintings even when making large oils. When I decided I no longer wanted to work with the solvents for oils, I began exclusively making watercolor and ink paintings. I like the unexpected things that can happen with them, but it does mean that there are sometimes paintings that get thrown away!
Wishing you all the best for the New Year, Valerianna! Hoping all is well with you. xo Renate
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