Journal
The Studio Garden 2012 Spring
This sunny spring I was inspired by my studio garden: tulips and daffodils of brilliant red and yellow. I did many large watercolours and oils. In the early summer the oriental and icelandic poppies were abundant. In June pink and red poppies, delphinium and soft yellow foxglove Daisies , buttercups, cornflowers and pink and white roses . I did a series of white flower paintings: tulips, lilacs,roses and iris.
Lake Garden July 2012
I returned to one of my favourite gardens a few blocks from my home on the shore of Lake Ontario. The poppies, cornflowers and roses were in full bloom. I included passing sailboats in the compositions.
New Brunswick 2012
This July I painted in small fishing coves in New Brunswick. I had the pleasure of painting with my OCAD teacher that influenced my method of painting 25 years ago.I watched him demonstrate his technique of painting in shape with no drawing. I used the 3 primary colours that he recommends. We painted in small fishing coves on Deer Island accessible by ferry from the mainland. The colourful fishing boats and small dories were great subject matter. One day we took 2 ferries and painted in Eastport, Maine. This is a historic American village with American flags on many of the historic buildings. This town has the best crab rolls ever! On the mainland we painted the lighthouse at Green Point and the fishing boats in Back Harbour.
Charlevoix, Quebec July 2012
I explored the North shore of St Lawrence and stayed in the village of Les Eboulements. From the farm fields I had excellent views of the village with the church and spire and mountains in the background. From here there were also spectacular views of the St. Lawrence River Valley and surrounding farmland. Around 4 pm the light was ideal for painting in St. Joseph-de-la-Rive, a small village in the St Lawrence River valley.
Animals
Sheep cows cats roosters were painted in oils.
Boardwalk Paintings August 2012
I took my oils down to the Boardwalk a few blocks from home. I painted a series of small oils of the shoreline and distant sail boats. I was interested in the relative values of the sky and water.
Van Gogh
Brian and I took Porter Air to Ottawa and saw the Van Gogh Exhibit. We stayed in the Chateau Laurier Hotel and walked through the park to the National Gallery. I was inspired by the exhibition and came away longing to be painting in golden fields. I returned to the Huron County where my Dutch Van Egmond ancestors had settled. I stayed in a friends cottage in Bayfield. I drove along the concession roads and found golden fields in abundance. I painted a series of oils. I went quite wild and abandoned foreground detail. Van Gogh’s spirit was with me.