Seeing that it is the last day of February and it has been unusually cold with snow and wind and rain here on the southwest coast of Canada, maybe if we say “SPRING” all at the same time it will come true. What do you think? Shall we give it a try? Here is a photograph of a couple of tulips to help get us into the mood.
(image may be purchased here.)
Ready? SPRING!…. Hum, let’s try again SPRING!!!! There! That should do it!
This week is a painting week. It is the first painting week in about a month. I have these two 8 X 10 inch canvas underpaintings ready to start working.
And this 24 X 36 inch canvas underpainting ready as well. I am about to begin what may possibly be a series of paintings in a study of blue using seascapes as my contextual reference.
You might ask why I am doing my underpaintings in lemon cadmium yellow and it is a fair question. First I am not fond of a white canvas. Second, I like to create layers of depth through hints of underpainting colours coming through. However, to work for blues, the underpainting must be well set. Otherwise it just becomes a muddy mess. It does seem take longer to complete a painting using underpaintings but I like the end results.
Note: I am likely going to work on these three paintings and begin at least two more this week. I do NOT anticipate having much for process images but we shall see. I provide this warning in advance so that you are not too disappointed on Friday.
Sprout question: Can you tell us about a creative series you want to do in the future?
© 2011 Terrill Welch, All rights reserved.
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From Mayne Island, British Columbia, Canada
Creative Potager 
Terrill,
I think spring is in the air, and just beginning to pop out, I have noticed red buds on the trees, and blubs greens pushing up the soft moist ground in local gardens. As well as the different sounds of the birds singing…
No I will not be disappointed in your progress, for your process to me is always inspiring, I have never been around a person who paints, or even an artist who shares so much of their experience as you do. I am grateful for every journey you share.
Sprout question: Can you tell us about a creative series you want to do in the future?
I am in the process of choosing photographs for my solo photography exhibit in July, and I began to share more but I think I will direct you to me blog instead. ( later today)
Jeff I just received your notification for the new post “Creative series, or seriously Creative.” It may be one of your most powerful post todate.
Dear readers, I strongly encourage you to drop by and as Jeff muses and organizes himself for his next solo exhibit in July.
Terrill,
I am extremely touched that you refer back to my blog and that you find it “most powerful”
My pleasure Jeff and I am looking forward to what comes of your efforts.
Terrill –
Hmmmmm, I’m wondering if saying “Spring” in unison worked for Mayne Island? It didn’t budge anything here in Crystal Lake. Maybe this afternoon I’ll try it while clicking my heels together – I’ll let you know if that does the trick.
That tulip photograph is a stunner – it really pulls the viewer in. And I like the carrots you’ve dangled with the following photographs as well. It certainly sounds like you’ve got your work cut out for you this week!
Sprout question: Can you tell us about a creative series you want to do in the future?
(Pssssst, don’t tell anyone, but I’ve got a great idea about a book series titled “The Business of Being.”)
You were right Laurie at first this morning looked like more winter with a light dusting of snow covering the trees in our valley. But the sun is out, and it is warming up. I can see water dripping off the trees in the warmth of those precious golden rays. Thanks for adding the click of your heels. I think we are now on our way.
Psst! Laurie, I am sure that Creative Potager readers are particularly good at keeping creative confidences. But just in case a rogue reader decides to run off with your extremely enticing title, I am going to put it in here again with a copyright… THE BUSINESS OF BEING© Laurie Buchanan, All rights reserved. There! Now we await the works that shall follow sometime in the future.
Terrill – The other day when you did this copyright for me I saw it come through on the email email notification I receive as one of your subscribers — it made me grin with delight. This is the first opportunity I’ve had to swing back by to actually tell you so — THANK YOU!
Oh you are most welcome Laurie. Always helps if we kind of look out for each other as we share our creative work in progress.
I LOVE that yellow tulip, Terrill! Need a whole bouquet for my office this morning. Ah, Monday morning in all its glory, right!?! 🙂
The underpainting is interesting to me, reminds me of an outline for a book or a rough draft. Just a hint of what’s to come.
A creative series, hmmm. Well, I do like that approach to projects as it often provides greater depth and intrigue. If you can call a poetry collection … a series … then I might have something to offer! Will ponder that more. Thanks for the spring thought and the visuals are delightful!
Daisy you are right when you say underpaintings remind you of an outline or a rough draft for a book. Pretty much the same thing – it is my very much my guide for what will come next. Enjoy your pondering for a new poetry collection.
good morning and thank you, terrill. i like the underpaintings in lemon cadmium yellow just as they are. peter
Thank you Peter. It is good that you like the underpaintings as they are – even though they won’t stay that way 🙂 In times past, an artist would do up underpaintings to present to potential clients who would then commission the paintings completion. An underpainting often provides a glimpse of what is to come.
I’m learning so much from watching your process Terrill. I love that you have found that rare color -patience in your travels. I tried to find that here in the department stores and everyone seems to be fresh out, me included. So, maybe I’ll create my own. Maybe I’ll add a bit of tar-tempered-annoyance-with-the-world-at-large into a bit of tangerine-dream and see if I can dredge up a sweet amber hue of something resembling patience – I’ll keep you posted. And oh ya, whatever your Friday brings, bring it babe. . . . It will be awesome I’m sure – why? Because you have patience:)
Alison I am not really patient… I practice patience almost every day. I set my intention and then go about moving through the doors that open easily and then go to the next, and the next. I think of it this way – if I am banging my head against a closed and locked door and wailing this is not a good use of my energy. So I calm myself look, around and zip through another door that is open. Actually, I have been know to fly through an open window when there wasn’t a door swinging freely on its hinges. I suppose it looks like patiences but it is more like acknowledging infinite possibilities. So far, I have only crash landed a few times 🙂
“Spring”–hope I’m not too late. You have to love a province were you’re disappointed that it’s not more spring-like in February. : )
A creative series I would like to do in the future?
As well as working on my young adult adventure Turning, I’ve also begun working on the sequel to The Sweater Curse. I’ve posted a complete scene from this new book on the side bar of my blog– http://sweatercursed.blogspot.com
Warning violence.
It is never to late to shout “SPRING” during the month of March Leanne. Everyday we mention the word we are that much closer. You always have something new to offer Leanne and I hope that readers take advantage of these offerings.
PS I love your buttery lemon canvas. Is it supper time yet. : )
Today Leanne I transformed the second of these three canvas into something else. Always some tweaking to do as they rest but coming along nicely. I will share more on Friday.
SPRING
Oh I wish this slushy mess would stop and I could know if I can get to Victoria by car and ferry in time for my precious Aunt’s Memorial Service (Friday the 4th) and I am sure the room will be full of beautiful flowers – she was just such a gracious lovely person as bright as the yellow tulip and as elegant as the purple in your picture.
I enjoy how you share the process of your work – Thank you
Under painting has been my whole life’s work and now I am trying to visualize what will go on top – what the scape will be portrayed. I am applying for another job that does NOT pay for all the hours of work it will require to write grants to pay for the programs and my salary…back to the beginnings of my work. I want to write grants to get a net-zero housing project going for my husband’s office and to write a book….the under painting is there as is the fear and the bargaining going on in my mind….I do not know what colour to pick and where to make the first stroke…but I truly need to begin it now as time and money are running out …
shameless sharing http://patriciaswisdom.com/2011/02/carbon-fast/
sharing about a Lenten practice that begins on March 9th ( Ash Wed.) that anyone can partake of to work on reducing their carbon contributions at their own home and workplace. 40 ideas that produce a carbon-fast and encourage the world.
Today is the 10 year anniversary of the Nisqually Earthquake – Where were you and how did you experience it on Mayne Island?
Patricia ten years ago during this quake I was inside a government building in Victoria. I was director of the Stopping the Violence and Women’s Programs branch for one of the largest ministries at the time in the provincial government. It was a time of severe program funding cuts to women and children and the earthquake seemed like the least of our worries at the time. Our building shook and we dove and dived and found our way to door jams. We went outside for counting and then back to work. While we were outside one of my dear friends and colleagues shared that she had terminal cancer. I can still see her face and where we were standing.
I haven’t thought about that day for a long time Patricia. Thank you (I think:) for the reminder.
does NOT pay…is what I meant to say before hitting post – so sorry
Ah yes, I will see if I can slip back in and correct it. Best of luck with the new work!
p.s. As for beginning and the fear of beginning Patricia… just start anywhere. If we make a mess of it, we start again. If do not start at all, nothing happens. Most times, it is surprising what we can do with a well prepared underpainting. Give it your best shot. And let us know how it goes 🙂
We have been issued a wind warning by Environment Canada this evening: Sustained southerly winds of 70 to 100 km/h with peak gusts from 100 to 140 km/h will develop Wednesday morning. So if you don’t hear from for a bit… it is only because the electricity is out.
I have two new paintings. The first is finished and the other is resting but close. If the power stays I will do my best to get them prepped and scheduled for Friday. If not I shall catch you when I can…. and maybe we will be lucky and the winds will miss us. It has happened before. We shall see.
“First I am not fond of a white canvas. Second, I like to create layers of depth through hints of underpainting colours coming through.”
Nice. That a fine artistic strategy. Ah spring indeed, but in these parts March is so unpredictable. We certainly don’t need any kind of a capper on this brutal winter we just endured and seeing your colors and spirited optimism, well I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. The prospect of more beauty from you is all we need.
Well Sam, I think it is easy to be optimist about spring – afterall, she has beaten old man winter all to nothing so far… it is just a matter of time:)
We had rain, hail and sun all at once this morning… I’d say that is pretty much spring weather.
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