Friday, May 6, 2016

A Space to Breathe

"A Morning with Thrush Song" watercolor on paper, 15"x22", VClaff, 2016

 Rainy, dark days have taken root for a week now, the forest is murky, holding tight to shadows gathered at the trunks of drooping conifer boughs. Fires burn in winter-worn hearths, the smoke settling low, unable to rise above 
heavy mists. 

"Swamp, Mists & Peeper Songs", 22" x30", VClaff, 2016


I startled a bit to see how long it has been since I've come to share here, 
its been a long and somewhat challenging school year. Teaching is always 
rewarding, but I'm doing more of it and was feeling rather worn-out. With 
my commitments at school done this week, I am finding space again. 


"A Scent of Ferns" watercolor on paper, 15"x22", VClaff, 2016

My winter schedule was Monday through Wednesday teaching,Thursday and 
Friday in the studio. If I had to continue, Saturdays were spent in the studio as 
well. It was fruitful. Seeds that were planted in some of the paintings in the previous 
post have matured into work that feels close to capturing the deeply storied 
places I wander.


"A Place for Dreaming" watercolor on paper, 15"x22", VClaff, 2016

Just today I gathered up the paintings here from the framer, 
and tomorrow they will head off to a show at the NESTO Gallery at 
Milton Academy in Milton, Massachusetts. The show opens Friday, May 13, and
features a small group of alumni. If you are in the area, come by! For 
information about the gallery and directions, follow the link here.
 

"Water's Edge" watercolor on paper, 15"x22", VClaff, 2016
 Always at the meeting of a deadline, as work is collected from the framer, 
a pause to gather myself is needed. It has been a week of endings as groups 
gathered around the world to welcome in the spring, I said goodbye to a particularly inspiring group of students, and my new workheads off into the world for a time. A horribly neglected garden needs my attention, and some quiet dreaming 
beside the unfurling ferns is planned. 




In case you are wondering about Rhu Bear... he is doing well, monitoring 
my movements in the studio when I am there, and greeting me at the door to the 
house when I return from my travels, expecting belly rubs, of course.





44 comments:

Beach-Combing Magpie said...

Truly beautiful paintings. Your cat is looking as purposeful as ever. How to cats always manage to be 'on a mission', even when relaxing, and do everything so whole-heartedly?

ELFI said...

après une longue absence.. un plaisir te voir tes magnifiques aquarelles et ton chat!!!

Barry said...

Hi VA - it is hard to find the time and energy for art at times - which is sad. Glad you are back into it. Love waters edge. Sending vibes for good weeks ahead. Peace. B

Lynn said...

Lovely, Valerianna. Enjoy your breathing space.
And look at Rhu Bear sunning himself there!

Valerianna said...

Its the mystery of cats... and one we might learn from, especially in resting whole-heartedly!

Valerianna said...

Thanks, Elfi :)

Valerianna said...

It wasn't so much finding time for art, but for everything else this year, like coming here and visiting other blogs I love.

Valerianna said...

Yes, he's a ham!

Caterina Giglio said...

it is always lovely to hear your plans see your stunning work, and Rhu Bear looks so happy... I am sure the garden will be greening in no time soon...

Mo Crow said...

stunning work and good to see you back in bloglandia!

Nancy said...

I love this work! I wish I was close enough to come by and see it in the for-reals. I'm glad you've posted it here & announced it on FB so I didn't miss it. I haven't posted in ages and have barely been getting around to read others (hard year so far). So, this is a treat. I laughed to myself at how I look forward to seeing all my online pet friends as I am not allowed any of my own. It is a big perk for the huy and I :)

Lady Demelza said...

Oh wow. I can really see an evolutionary jump in this work since I last recall seeing a post. Amazing things are happening there.

Valerianna said...

The garden IS greening, but it would help if I got the gravel from the snow plow out of it so the plants can come up and cut down last year's stalks!

Valerianna said...

Thanks, Mo!

Valerianna said...

I share your enthusiasm about seeing my online creature friends, hehe, even though I have Rhu, I'm love seeing what other kitties have been up to. Sorry to hear its been a hard year, Nancy. :(

Valerianna said...

Thanks, Lady Demelza, this body of work is definitely maturing.

Optimistic Existentialist said...

How how I love this post - the writing and the photos alike...

Ruthie Redden said...

Hello my lovely! It has been so very long since I visited (my blogging has been sadly neglected for almost a year I was shocked to discover). I am loving these latest pieces Valerianna, such depth and a feeling of magical places they conjure, they stir in me such a longing to go out into the woods and wander. Enjoy your quiet dreamings. The image of Rhu Bear peeping thru the door makes me smile x

Valerianna said...

Neglected here, too. Its my intention to keep it up now that school is over. Thanks for the feedback on the paintings, I do feel I'm at a place where the elements I want are integrated into the whole. Took a while with the new work.

Judy Martin said...

These paintings are magnificent. Best of luck with your exhibition. x

Valerianna said...

Thanks, Judy :)

Sandra Dunn said...

Hi Valerianna- I'm not sure if I'm commenting twice as I was writing and it disappeared, so I may have hit publish….. anyway, finishing my thought - I was going to wish you lots of calm breathing space and Happy Spring. :)

Tammie Lee said...

lovely to see you sharing here.
i wish you a lovely show.

spring is an interesting time
with tons of chores if we can get to them
wishing you lovely spring days and nights.

Sharmon Davidson said...

I love seeing your new work; it makes me feel in my heart the deep peace of the forest. Good luck with the exhibition!

Valerianna said...

Same to you, Sandra :)

Valerianna said...

Yes, like autumn, the other side, with its own long list of chores!

Valerianna said...

Thanks for this, Sharmon, I really hope that is what I'm communicating with these.

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much for an update! We've been waiting for you to post and hoping all was well!

Rowan said...

I also have had a long break from blogging and I'm catching up with blogging friends again. Rhu Bear looks a lovely boy - I love his name.

Julia @ Vintage with Laces said...

Your paintings are gorgeous! I hope the exhibition was a great success for you.
Rhu Bear is a cutie! I send some belly-rubs for him. :)

Valerianna said...

Finally, I'm here... but it seems a month has gone by and I'm not back. Hope to be soon!

Valerianna said...

I guess I'm not the only one... I do miss this world and all the inspiration one finds on blogs. Hope to be more regular, though I'd hope to post again in a week, but that hasn't happened!

Valerianna said...

Hi Julia, thanks for the feedback. Rhu Bear gladly accepts all belly rubs :)

Anonymous said...

it makes me feel in my heart the deep peace of the forest
jean@mail.postmanllc.net

Beside a babbling brook... said...

Your blog is beautiful...

Linda said...

Beautiful paintings!

Anonymous said...

missing your offerings . . . .

Yvette said...

the little cat head...and your work....sigh

Annalisa said...

Your painting speaks to my heart I have a deep relationship with the misty magical spaces I find in the woods and swamps.... also peepers! They have awoken here in RI too. I hope the show is successful in all the ways. It seems that many of us have been absent from the blogosphere while we gather ourselves back up I hope to see more from your neck of the woods soon

Valerianna said...

I'm pleased that my paintings do evoke the feeling of the forest for you. :)

Valerianna said...

Thank you!

Valerianna said...

Thank you, Linda. :)

Valerianna said...

I keep attempting to get back here... I hope it will be soon!

Valerianna said...

I hope to be here more soon, its been such a wonderful thing for me in the past, but working/teaching more seems to exhaust much of my creative energy.