 |
| "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:
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?
après une longue absence.. un plaisir te voir tes magnifiques aquarelles et ton chat!!!
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
Lovely, Valerianna. Enjoy your breathing space.
And look at Rhu Bear sunning himself there!
Its the mystery of cats... and one we might learn from, especially in resting whole-heartedly!
Thanks, Elfi :)
It wasn't so much finding time for art, but for everything else this year, like coming here and visiting other blogs I love.
Yes, he's a ham!
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...
stunning work and good to see you back in bloglandia!
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 :)
Oh wow. I can really see an evolutionary jump in this work since I last recall seeing a post. Amazing things are happening there.
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!
Thanks, Mo!
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. :(
Thanks, Lady Demelza, this body of work is definitely maturing.
How how I love this post - the writing and the photos alike...
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
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.
These paintings are magnificent. Best of luck with your exhibition. x
Thanks, Judy :)
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. :)
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.
I love seeing your new work; it makes me feel in my heart the deep peace of the forest. Good luck with the exhibition!
Same to you, Sandra :)
Yes, like autumn, the other side, with its own long list of chores!
Thanks for this, Sharmon, I really hope that is what I'm communicating with these.
Thanks so much for an update! We've been waiting for you to post and hoping all was well!
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.
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. :)
Finally, I'm here... but it seems a month has gone by and I'm not back. Hope to be soon!
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!
Hi Julia, thanks for the feedback. Rhu Bear gladly accepts all belly rubs :)
it makes me feel in my heart the deep peace of the forest
jean@mail.postmanllc.net
Your blog is beautiful...
Beautiful paintings!
missing your offerings . . . .
the little cat head...and your work....sigh
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
I'm pleased that my paintings do evoke the feeling of the forest for you. :)
Thank you!
Thank you, Linda. :)
I keep attempting to get back here... I hope it will be soon!
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.
Post a Comment