Blog

Though there is nearly a week left of January it is easy to fall forward into thinking the first month of the year is over. Moving on to February and rushing so that its almost Spring.

What? Why?

Pause.

Breathe. 

This is my one and only life. What's the rush? 

I make the conscious decision again to metaphorically stop and smell the roses. 

Inspired by Julie Cameron's daily pages from The Artists's Way, I began the daily practice of journalling last year after my sister-in-law, Judi, gifted me a beautiful journal as a retirement gift. I am now on journal number two. The paper has a lovely 'tooth' and feels just beautiful to write on. Cameron advices the journalist to write at least three stream of consciousness pages per day. I don't follow any strict discipline. I reminisce, plan, jot a few words on the weather, my day. Nothing earth shattering, just a way to pause, be grateful and think about life rather than just barreling along.

Beautiful journals from Journalistick

Unlike previous years, this January I didn't participate in the Strada Easel challenge, nor did I participate in the 30 Squared Group challenge on Facebook. Past painting challenges have been enjoyable and beneficial, but I decided on a different approach this year. Painting daily became a retirement treat, so continuing to do that is an exciting life change. Learning and experimenting are things that I'd like to pursue in my artistic practice this year.

Agnes Pelton Art displayed in the Bridgehampton Museum

I had two learning opportunities this month with artist and instructor Howard Rose. I met Howard this past summer by joining his plein air painting class sponsored by the Bridgehampton Museum. His engaging and inspiring teaching style put him on my radar as a teacher to follow. This winter the Bridgehampton Museum is again sponsoring classes with Howard at the Nathaniel Rogers House. I took the first class on Perspectives on January 11th, a much needed refresher. The class was attended by around a dozen students of all levels. The next class in Bridgehampton is February 8th focusing on Color Mixing. A side bonus to taking a class at the Nathaniel Rogers House is viewing the gorgeous early Agnes Pelton paintings in their collection.

Photos and art by Howard Rose

The second workshop opportunity with Howard was at the Southampton Cultural Center on "Paths".  As described in the class introduction, "Paths, streams, rivers, scenes that lead the eye back into the painting and create a depth that can turn a two dimensional image into a deep three dimensional painting. So many of these scenes are images that you will pass by a thousand times and not pay any attention to, but when you turn them into a painting they can become something very special." We painted small landscapes on table top easels from a handful of photos that Howard had brought with him for us to paint. I would never have chosen any of them to make a painting. Surprise! I rather like my path painting.

My pallet, table top easel, and path painting

I love the side topics that come up in class. We always ask for tips and tricks! Of course we had to ask for a list of Howard's current go-to paint colors. Three of his favorites are Thalo yellow green, Violet pastel and King's blue. It was lovely spending three hours with a dozen other painters enjoying each other's company and working at our art practice. Very satisfying. 

Howard's paint box

Not participating in a January painting challenge involving daily social media posts has enabled me to step back from social media. Looking at the amount of time per activity spent on the phone is eye opening. Between FB and Insta I was scrolling an hour or more per day. Is that really how I wish to spend my one wild and precious life? I'll leave you with a bouquet and a poem.

A bouquet from Sag Harbor florist.

The Summer Day by Mary Oliver

Who made the world?
Who made the swan, and the black bear?
Who made the grasshopper?
This grasshopper, I mean —
the one who has flung herself out of the grass,
the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,
who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down —
who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.
Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.
Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.
I don't know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?