Winter Marsh

"Winter Glow" 

6x6 oil on board

I've been a bit reluctant to write about this but, this blog is about my real life, so I'll share. Little by little, I'm finding my painting mojo again. It's been a hard time and I am consumed with the chore of sorting and tossing and resolving the 'beloved flotsam and jetsam' of my dear Mama's and our family's life.

Report cards from grade school, every card/invite she ever received, newspapers containing momentous news events (Oy), bookshelves full of books and souvenirs. Precious family 'stuff' in the china cabinets. And photos, photos and more photos. 

I picked up some boxes and marked them with the names of my siblings and as I sort, I drop things into each box for them to enjoy along with things I think should be theirs. Because I insisted upon looking at every single piece of paper, they have left me to that and I don't mind except that the volume after 43 years in the same house is, um, voluminous. My dear husband is the God send to this whole task and is also on the receiving end of my prickly emotions :( Without his guidance (lists, lists, lists and advice and more advice)  I'd be lost. He is the left brain balance in my right brain world. 

So, I'm sad but, I'm grateful for my family and my dear friends near and far who continue to lift me up. Thank you all for your continued support.

About the painting. One thing I love about the winter is how the setting sun lights up the tops of the trees creating a beautiful complimentary color scheme. 

Bird's Eye View

"Bird's Eye View" 6x6 oil on panel

I like to drive out over the beach road between Marshfield and Duxbury and paint or take photos. Part ocean beach, part tidal marsh, there's always lots of action there and the view includes Powder Point Bridge and the Myles Standish Monument as well as distant views of Plymouth. 
For this little painting I combined the birds from different photos flying toward the distant marsh. 
It also sparked an idea which I'd had (and then it eluded me) for a 24x24 canvas that is toned and has been waiting in the studio. I had hit upon an idea and didn't really ruminate on it long enough to 'set' it and it evaporated, but when I began painting this, I remembered that it was about birds. I made a solid start and just need to bring it to completion. So....stay tuned.