Spring Alive!

     It feels sooo great to be out painting when spring breaks. The temperature has to rise well above freezing for my acrylics to work well outside – and for me too! We experienced a warm spell earlier: too soon for buds and grasses to have any colour and many of the waterways were still iced over. But now, going into April the spring colours are coming out. A wonderful time to be outside.
     Over the past month, I had driven by this spot a number times waiting for the warmth of spring to take effect and last week I was rewarded. It was around 3 pm when the shadows begin to lengthen and light takes on a warm yellow cast. Remnants of snow signalled  the shoreline and with the multi colours of yellows and soft reds vibrating, the effect was startling. The complement colour of blue-violet, pulsed in the background.
      No urge to take pictures. I set a 16x20 canvas on my easel and do my best to keep it out of the direct sun. Such a strong motif! No need to define detail, that’s for later. The time and place is now. I squeeze my colours out: warm and cool blues, reds, yellows plus orange and white. With a 1” brush I mix and paint and repaint until the canvas sings with feelings. An hour later, I rest. The sun has slipped lower and I’m satisfied that I have captured the essence.
      Back in studio I make some minor changes over several days and call it finished. No better feeling for an artist.
Charlie,
April 2024

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