Thoughts On Creativity
New brushes in the light, shiny ferrules, clean shafts, leaning like friends chatting about their weekend inspired me to create a blog banner years ago. So long ago that I don't remember when the picture was taken. Maybe 2009ish.
In those days I sat at my dinning table (2 inch thick old pine) aka my desk, thinking, painting, crafting, blogging. I took photographs of whatever was nearby. I felt comfortably creative there.
Brush & Paint. The image for the series this fall I will post about in progress has been decided, The New Haven River in Bristol, Vermont photograph is the one I will paint from.
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| New Haven River in Bristol, Vermont |
Both banks will extend into the woods for a large canvas. My primary focus is the relationship between hues, water and rocks. The color story flowing as the rivers flows, that connection is what I want to achieve in my painting.
A few pencil sketches, splashes of color, and I will be ready to begin the first session this week.
Here's the thing about creativity.
I believe anyone can be an artist that wants to be, and, puts in the work. There is no such thing as, "I can't draw." You can. You just haven't gone the distance with drawing.
Composition can also be learned. Even people with natural talent have to sketch, plan, practice. Creating the art is the key to being an artist. How talented you are is another story. As long as you reach a level you like, then that, I believe, is good enough.
There is always talent at the top, those with a natural ability to create artwork that wows the majority of us.
However, at the top doesn't mean the artist belongs there. Popularity, especially from trusted art critic voices, has a strong say in who are the artist at the top, collectible, worth investing money into buying their art. I've seen online extraordinary artists, mega talented, that aren't in the news, big sellers, at the top of the high end art community network.
Who is versus What is.
Think Mona Lisa (1503). I've seen just as good if not better smiles on many portraits, old and new. Yet, she is one of the most famous paintings in the world, and, I believe, always will be. She deserves it. But, what about the others? Well, that's the art World, and, there's only one Leonardo da Vinci.
Ever read about a lawyer, doctor or other professional with a well paying career give it all up to become an artist? If you haven't, then you haven't been reading about the artists.
They have an edge because they have, I believe, the money to change careers, a following from the get-go, a good resume, and, many have talent and/or develop their talent.
If I had a nice well stocked studio space, there is no guarentee I would paint more than I do because depression doesn't work like that. I have over a dozen unfinished canvases and creative projects. I do the best I'm able with what I have. Trying is doing.
You can do the same if you want to be an artist.
For Hygge
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| Gray Squirrel Atop a clothes line pole set into an umbrella stand He left when his tail entangled in the pinwheels |
There are times when what we see,
is just there for us to smile about.
Thank you to Gray Squirrel
aka Mr. Pinwheeler
Day 287 of Week 41 for October 2023,
Strolling Down the Old Photograph Lane
Strolling Down the Old Photograph Lane
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| Lincoln, Vermont circa 2021 |
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| Lincoln Vermont Country Road |
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| Robert Frost Interpretative Trail |
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| Mount Abraham in Clouds ( PC pic) |
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| Middlebury River south view from bridge on Robert Frost Trail |
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| Robert Frost Interpretative Trail |
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| Rugged Maple Leaves |
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| Meadow at R.Frost Interpretative Trail looking northeast as low clouds cover mountains |
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| Morning Dew on a Maple Leaf |
A strange thing, when I look at old photographs, I remember more of them than I'm finding. The folders have been checked to locate some photos. I have an uneasy feeling not all the pictures made the transfer to the memory stick.
All of the above images are taken from my Blog archive. Searching online for this blog's images doesn't work well because Google results show more pumpkin seed recipes than this blog's content.
Make a note, if your blog has a food item in the title, then you take the chance of your blog being buried in recipes on Google after the top few search results.
Have a Colorful Weekend!
Bake an apple crisp
Make French Onion Soup
Toast buttery garlic bread for the soup
Tell a pair of socks a story
Memorize a poem about autumn
Call a friend for a phone chat
and recite the poem
Browse novel tee shirts online
Read a Stephen King novel
Pray Long for Peace
BAR HARBOR MAINE (Part 1): Acadia National Park, South Bubble, & Lobster...
My favorite autumn video on YouTube. Their hike is insane, gorgeous views and scary.
More Considerations & Autumn Photographs
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| Mount Abraham Western Side circa 2019 |
A composite using other photographs of the area is a consideration.
It is a beautiful part of the drive up to Lincoln Gap, in Lincoln,. Vermont.
A popular leaf peeping route, part of the Long Trail crosses the road.
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| Mount Abraham Western Side in Lincoln, Vermont |
The watercolor is from the photo of the
New Haven River in Lincoln, Vermont
with Mount Abe in the background.
I might try the scene as a larger watercolor.
These two photographs will create a wider view of the area.
The boulder scene is to the left off frame from the picture of the
New Haven River (below).
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| New Haven River, Bristol, Vermont |
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| Vermont Woods In Fall 2015 |
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| Addison, Vermont circa 2019 |
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| Cornstalks & Green Pumpkin at Middlebury Garden Center |
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| Robert Frost Interpretative Trail 2021 |
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| Route 125, near Robert Frost Picnic Area circa 2020 |
I am leaning towards painting from the photograph of the New Haven River in Bristol, Vermont. The challenge of the water and rocks scrambles my brain in a healthy way as an artistic challenge I can gain from.
Surprising to me is the photo of the cornstalks and green pumpkin. I think a watercolor is developing in my mind for that one.
The trees border the parking lot at the Robert Frost Interpretative trail. When I sat there looking out, I felt huddled with them as if chatting over a run of sap. On one visit, there were crows flying and landing on a broken tree trunk. A watercolor of the scene is on my to paint list.
As a rule, there is a lot of pre-painting thought that happens before the first brush stroke. It is the most difficult part of painting for me. I suspect other artist feel the same way. For the 2nd year doing an in progress painting on this blog, I'm finding it is the most challening artwork I've had all year. Well, other than pushing myself to paint.
Landscape Selection
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| Past Peak Field |
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| The New Haven River in Bristol |
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| The New Have River in Lincoln |
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| Route 125 in Autumn |
The past peak field is a landscape that will take up more time than the mixing of hues. The balance of light and shadows is the biggest challenge. Althought the colors have a strong impact on my senses, maybe there's too much burnt sienna. It is one of the landscapes that tells the artist its story as the paint is applied.
The New Haven River in Bristol is the most challenging in respect to the water and rocks balancing with the foliage colors.
The New Haven River in Lincoln is a scene I want more photographs of. The mountain in blue is too meh for me. I like the idea of a watercolor more than an acrylic painting.
The Route 125 scene is a treasure It might not be quite enough for an in progress series. The Middlebury River, by the way, is to the right off frame down a steep embankment. A good photograph of the river near that section is dangerous as the embankment is not stable enough to attempt even with a rope, help and at a turn off area.
Last year the subject is the Middlebury River in Ripton, Vermont. I'm thinking maybe this year the New Haven River is the best choice. I do need more photographs to decide.
Mum, Weather, Drained & One Thing
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| Middlebury Garden Center |
Selecting mums this year was a challenge. In the various stages of blooming, I wanted plants that will bloom into October at a time when I want to see a lot of flowers open.
The large golden mums bloomed early. If I don't look close, then those mums have nice color.
The golden rust mums have been the most spectacular. The deeper red is a close second on length of bloom and vibrant color.
Next year will be easier to chose using my notes from this year.
The large golden mums bloomed early. If I don't look close, then those mums have nice color.
The golden rust mums have been the most spectacular. The deeper red is a close second on length of bloom and vibrant color.
Next year will be easier to chose using my notes from this year.
Weather. The ambient temperatures are cooler at this lower elevation at 194 feet (59 m) in Vermont close to Lake Champlain. In comparison, Stowe, Vermont is 889 feet (271 m). The highest peak in Vermont is Mount Mansfield at 4395 feet (1339 m) with the lower Stowe nearby.
In my backyard, I see a lot of green just barely turning colors. Up in Stowe, the foliage map indicates it is peak foliage. I expect with this week's lower temperatures, that peak foliage in the mountains and hollows will excelerate. In other words, this week is good for a leaf peeping excursion.
Drained. Not everything that happens in life needs to by ananlyzed. Feeling drained of energy, for example, doesn't need to reason unless it is chronic. I have no idea why I feel so drained of energy, especially when I love to see the foliage.
The other morning after getting a take out coffee, I wanted to keep driving up to the mountains. I had on long pants and a jacket. Problem, I was wearing sandals! By the time I got back indoors, I didn't feel like getting ready to go back out. I told myself it is a peak holiday weekend where there are lots of folks out and about. For a few minutes, I thought about why I was so lazy. Two days later, I might go for a short looksee at the foliage. Or I might stare at the fabric foliage I stuck into the window lace curtain.
One Thing. If I don't go out to get a best autumn photo, and hopefully a landscape to paint, then I won't be ready to start the as I go progress painting series this year. My plans depend on my doing that one thing.
Still in my pajamas at noon time, I think laundry can wait. The floors were washed yesterday. The dishes are almost finished. There's a flannel shirt waiting for me to get out and about...sometime this week.
How are your energy levels? Do they fluctuate in the fall?
Post Hiatus
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| The Middlebury River Acrylic on canvas 2022 M.Flannery |
Art. Remember the painting series posted last year for the artwork in the photograph above? Well, I will be starting another series from a different photo as yet to be taken. Once again, the series is for an impressionism landscape.
Internet. In my travels, checking this blog's name on Google, I learned a website that promoted blogs for free, (send in email and URL), has changed to a free plus paid service. It is good to have a plan to promote your blog if you are in business or want to increase traffic to your website for advertising income. That is beyond my small blog world, but other's might consider such a plan.
I believe it is a good idea to Google your name as well as your blog's name on a regular basis. You never know what might be out there.
Cereal. Instead of sugary snacks, I treated myself to a box of Special K Blueberry cereal. Breaking up the monotony of oatmeal feels great. Besides, I sometimes like to have cereal for dinner.
October. Starting this month felt to me like walking into a twilight zone. October 7 actual date. My brain date, September 30th. It is a good thing I had to grocery shop or else I would have missed the oranges of the distant mountains. The trees nearby are just beginning to turn color. When they are at peak foliage, the mountains are past peak foliage.
Over the long weekend, on Route 7, Saturday morning I saw long lines of vehicles traveling south where the foliage and mountains are poplar drives. There was also a quilt show in Middlebury that day. My mask and I stayed home.
Shots. The senior flu shot, done deal, I got it. Arm was sore going in from wrestling with an Ocean Spray juice bottle. (Even after cutting the plastic connectors to the cap, I struggled to get the bottle open.) My arm is tender two hours after the shot. When I lift my arm, I feel the injection site. No redness or swelling. An ice bag later will help keep it that way.
Please read the CDC, and other sources about covid, flu, RSV shots and decide for yourself to get injected.
Remember, being healthy decreases the burden on the health care system as well as your income.
Indigenous Peoples' Day
Held in Stowe, Vermont on 8 October 2023,
as a yearly event, the celebration has
next year to plan for. Sign up to
volunteer, particpate or sponser.
Check you local area for IPD events.
PBS Programing
This is the long weekend of October celebrating on Monday,
Indigenous People's Day.
Searching the local PBS schedules, thinking I will find programs about the Indigenous people of America, I find nothing being aired today. Instead, one station has an afternoon marathon, for a Black American series, and the other station is airing programs about Elvis.
I'm guessing this is only Sunday. There will probably be programs about Indigenous people tomorrow. On Monday, 9 October 2023 EDT, one station at 10 PM EDT has a program schedule to be aired, "The American Buffalo: A Story of Resilience," hosted by Judy Woodruff. The Vermont PBS station has nothing about American Indigenous people on Indigenous People's Day.
I have no words.
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