snowshoes

snowshoes

I like snowshoes, because given enough snow, you can go anywhere in the woods. My woods are quiet this time of year, no birds, no bugs, no beasts. All are at rest, or have left the vicinity, only to return shortly. Yes, spring is on its way. I cannot smell it yet out here, but I can feel its approach. The sun says its on its way. The light is stronger, richer, and a bit warmer. I follow the deer tracks in circles. Their pathways are well marked in the cedars behind my cabin. Dappled light in every direction draws my attention. Ice blue shadows surround me. Warm yellow light kisses the bark near me. I cannot look up without a tear coming to my eye. I am out here to feel it feel winter without spring. So I can paint it later in the studio. I fill up my senses with it, breathe it while I am in it so I can bring it back later with a paint brush in my hand, and a will to re-create that feeling.

studio time

ahh where does the time go?

Working quietly in the studio today. I say quietly, but it is interspersed with periods of song. I often sing while I am painting, and dance. (I can't actually carry a  tune in a bucket but hey I'm alone so who cares?) The actions energize me, and the work. 

Right now I am working on some undulating keyboard images that will become small floorcloths. I am doing two at a time here and one is upside down, so can move the board around and not be distracted by the other image. It also gives me a chance to see the image as an abstract, so I can check composition. 

But today my paint brush has been all over the proverbial map. I painted a silver coat on a gate that will eventually grace my studio wall, a piece of theatre that will involve my bathroom door. I couldn't resist. Right now it is outside leaning against the wall, drying. 

I also went at my cabin, and screen door. First priming them, because much of the paint used here has been oil based, so priming was a safe bet. 

The O'Brien theatre doors I have been working on for a while now are done, they wait quietly in the corner, they need three layers of topcoat to keep greasy popcorn hands from ruining the paint job. 

I am still just getting used to the new space and am spending a lot of mental time wondering, pondering about how I can make this space work for me, monetarily. Lots of people have ideas for me, solutions....but I will of course go my own way. I'm like that.