January brought a foot of snow and a week later a 50 degree
Winter thaw! It is never boring in New England and the first snow
was a beautiful reminder of the colors and light in a Winter landscape.
Winter has been moving right along and the weather has been ideal for
plein air painting, but Spring was a little cold and more of a challenge,
The light was stronger and clearer than usual and we did not experience
too many gray days and in New England that is miraculous!
I continue to experiment with some older paintings done in beloved locations
and I am also experimenting with new locations and new subjects. The more
we understand what our pigments can do for us and what light effect is
portrayed when we stop to look at dramatic landscapes or seascapes, the more
we come to a better understanding of what we are trying to convey. The work is
never done but the heart beats quicker each time we draw nearer to our goal.
Painting has become the illusion we chase once again in the quiet of a Winter
studio or an outdoor Plein Air study throughout the year. It is always time to
begin again!
This year I plan to make my annual sojourn to the Cape where I was affiliated with a
Gallery for ten years and produced paintings in that region. There is still a certain
magic in the out-of-the-way places I managed to frequent when there and the light
effects that are so evident there. Many years have passed since I studied with Cape
Cod artist, Henry Hensche in Provincetown. I learned so much more down there than
what had been taught in Art School. I learned how to see differently.
There is nothing that compares with the vibrant colors seen in a sunset or the beautiful awakening of a new dawn or the profound quality of the deep ocean as it rolls into shore. To explore each subject fully and to depict the unique qualities of each as I paint on
location continues to be a "labor of love". And now I continue to explore my artistic abilities in new ways to better understand how I can truly communicate that which I see, feel and express when I come upon that WOW moment. There is so much beauty to be seen with the naked eye and our perception of the vision we have been given is truly a vision to be shared.
May this find everyone well, happy and PAINTING and may we all continue to be inspired by the beauty around us and redirect our efforts so that we can all capture with added zeal that "wow" moment and have it speak volumes for us. May all your days and nights be filled
with beautiful music that accompanies your brush strokes with magical rhythms and
soulful renditions!
My best to all.....................Elsie
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