One of our last May days..

It is hard to post this image tonight. I went out early in the day to stay cool before the heat and humidity set in.

The vineyard I have revisited--many times. And I will continue to do so-for many reasons. This particular image was worked over an existing painting that wasn't taking me anywhere. I like to do this, as the texture from the under-painting's brushwork as well as colours affect the current work.

May

oil on canvas

16x20in, 2010

available

'Look deep, deep, deep into nature, and then you will understand everything' Albert Einstein

May, Remains of the Day

oil on canvas

8x10in, 2010

available

It felt good to get out at twilight. The culmination of this May day was perfect. The little voices of birds settling and aroma of sweet new grass - heaven. Thankfully the swallows polished off most of the annoying midges so I didn’t even have to pluck them from my wet painting... couldn't ask for more..

"Another widespread belief suggests that trees are inhabited by guardian spirits, which control the natural forces responsible for weather conditions, that can cause the crops to flourish or to fail.

May, oil on canvas, 24x48in, 2010, available

Since fertilizing rain is paramount to ensuring the fruitfulness of the earth, fertility festivals centered on trees were usually held in the spring or prior to the rainy season. Even in Europe, until quite recently such festivities were quite common and can still be found today as folkloric remnants in many rural areas. "
- Kat Morgenstern

"The folk celebrations of early May in Europe began as a celebration of life and fertility, the time for planting of crops and vegetable gardens, and for the regeneration of life that comes with increased sunlight.

Beltane is derived from the Celtic word for 'brilliant fire.'

May, Remains of the Day, 36x36in, 2009, SOLD

Many of the so-called folk or pagan festivals and days of observance were tied to the solar and lunar cycles and the great cycles of life. By the start of May, most trees are in full leaf, many Spring flowers are in bloom and the Earth is brimming with both plant and animal life taking advantage of the high sun levels and ever warmer temperatures." May Day - The Weather Doctor

For the past week the May days here in Southern Ontario have been cool, windy and changeable to say the least..

And of course the Lilacs, too, are early this year..

June

oil on canvas

20x24in, 2009

SOLD

Mothers Day

This painting was rendered in the fall, but I thought it appropriate considering the date and it's title.

Mom,  oil on canvas, 8x10in, 2009, private collection

Today was a day of endings and new beginnings.

May

oil on canvas

8x10in, 2010

available

I finished up a few plein air studies rendered last week and finally completed a large commission that I REALLY struggled with over the past few months. I can't post it yet as it is a surprise for the recipient. So now I am free once more to follow my own intuition re concept and direction. Freedom comes at a high price but it's worth every penny.

I went out for a bit today and managed to regain the original feel of the painting that I thought was lost forever due to the abrupt force of dog.
A little 'hair of the dog' is good though...

May

oil on canvas

14x16in, 2010

available

I had intended on posting some new plein air work as I was able to get out yesterday for a few hours… It was joyous to be back out in the sun and clouds-working to the songs of birds. My painting was coming along beautifully and I couldn’t wait to see it once back in the studio...

May, A Really Good Day, oil on canvas, 12x12in, 2009

Alas, after hiking all the way back , fate intercepted. On my way up the stairs my darling Rubyblue dog ran into the side of my wet painting...sometimes things are just not in the stars and you have to let them go.

 But I HAVE TOMORROW! ALL DAY! YAY!!!!

Dark, negative and unsettling circumstances beyond control have taken precedence over my family’s life for the past few weeks and I have been so very hungry for a glimmer of hope. I found it today in my routine walk-sometimes I call these daily excursions my ‘salvation hikes’-such was today.

Hence the absolute power of nature-my birds were back! I have been looking –actually listening-for them lately, wondering if they, too, would arrive early for spring. And they had! The unmistakable " bubbling delirium of ecstatic music that flows from the gifted throat like sparkling champagne," "a mad, reckless song-fantasia, an outbreak of pent-up, irrepressible glee," and "a tinkle of fairy music, like the strains of an old Greek harp." 

My Bobolinks! Bold as brass, these yellow headed, black and white birds scolded my dogs for coming too close as they perched low in the grasses. They’ve earned this sense of entitlement I suppose, having made one of the longest migrations in the Western Hemisphere—a round trip of approximately 20,000-km  from Brazil, Paraguay, and northern Argentina!
For me, the arrival of these birds have symbolized a turn for the better and reinforced my faith in optimism, which spring is, is it not? Now for eternal optimism… 

 May (Bob)

oil on canvas

6x6in, 2010

Happy May!

I still haven't been able to get out to paint and it is really driving me mad! This is my favourite time of the year--I wait in anticipation--and unfortunately life has just gotten in the way lately--hopefully my schedule will ease up soon. In the meantime, this is one of my favourite paintings. A little loose for some, but I respond to  the immediacy, colours, shapes and push/pull. Painted last year.

May

oil on canvas

18x18in, 2009