Sunday Afternoon

In an effort to enhance my “reputation” as a well-rounded and worldly artist I’ve decided to dedicating this afternoon to touring Edward’s Gardens – a local site well known for the variety of expertly maintained horticulture.

We know inspiration can be found in a variety of places and I definitely have to look away from the canvas at times so now is as good a time as any.

Always armed with my trusted iPhone camera the plants, sunshine & fresh air will not go to waste. Local guidelines allow for just such an excursion provided a couple of simple rules are observed; a small price to pay given the potential rewards,

In closing, try to make the most of your day and I’ll try not to overload you with a tsunami of flower photos at a later date. Deal?

Just a flower photo from years ago for now.

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Your Mental Break Minute

Just for a change of pace and to help everyone’s spirits remain as high as possible now may be as good a time as any to provide an image for us all to gaze at and dream about.

If everyone does their part and keeps a cool head we’ll all see our own version of the ideal place we’d rather be at right now. It can be near or far but if is certainly attainable and within our grasp.

All that said, here’s a slice of Rome during sunnier and lighter days. They will return.

An Elevated and Attractive View of Rome.

Art (sort of)

With the colder outdoor temperatures encouraging many to stay in this week it’s time to get caught up a art-related administration duties. There are an overwhelming number of art sites and publications to contact if you aim for a global appeal. It’s a time consuming process given the number of countries and cultures in Europe alone.

Unfortunately we all eventually start to lose focus after numerous hours of non-art activities we’d rather have someone else do. At this point I’m as likely to get into trouble as the next person. The most anyone can ask for is that it’s something productive.

So, I started to look through a selection of photos and wondered what Photoshop could do with them. You know what direction this is headed in…

Took a photo of the bridge at West Montrose, Ontario and explored a few Photoshop options.

Late Night

There seems to always be that old standby should a late-night infusion of energy be required.

Just What The Doctor Ordered!

Gone With The Wind

As much as my best planning and ambition can come into play there’s always the prevailing winds to keep a cap on almost everything.

Today was certainly no difference.

Tools Of The Trade

Birth Of A Notion

Seeing as how Tuesday is supposed to provide an art-friendly environment it’s about time to start ramping up what has to happen and when. Fortunately, I suppose, there’s been a partially completed canvas in plain sight which I’ve had several opportunities to consider finishing. Until moments ago it was still unclear how.

So in the afternoon I’ll be armed with plenty of supplies and a vision of where the work should go. Barring any unforeseen circumstances there should be a finished painting by the end of the day.

Whether it’s actually a good painting I’ll leave up to the critics to decide.

A painting from last year subjected heavily to various Photoshop processes to create this digital anomaly.

Weather (or not)

Some people tend to put a whole lot of weight in the effect of weather on mood and perhaps creativity. While there may be some truth to this assumption it’s worth looking further into the weather itself. Bear with me.

Warmer and sunnier climates provide people with more opportunity to do whatever they like whenever they like. Sounds like freedom to me. Without the restrictions placed on so many during the inclement seasons we tend to focus significantly less on those activities we cannot do.

Perhaps the awkward point I’m trying to make is that it’s the presence of opportunity that makes all the difference. I’ve been both highly motivated and lethargic during all the seasons throughout the year. A grey rainy day has little impact overall provided not a whole lot of weight is put into the opinions of “experts”.

But hey, we can all make up our own minds thanks to life experience.

Not a cheerful photo but at least it’s new!!

A Day Off

As the inspiration and motivation seem to be seriously lacking in recent days (inexplicably) I’ve elected to just take the day off. Tomorrow may be the same but we’ll have to see when we get there. It’s never a pleasant time knowing what should be done but having no desire to do it. Perhaps it’s a much needed lesson in pacing myself and stepping back for a better perspective. All I do know is that eventually there will be a burning desire to get back at it so now it’s simply a waiting game.

Until then here’s another look at a past work…

A sample from my more experimental period 42 – 2018

One Of Those Days

We’ve all had them from time to time; everything lines up right and all signals as “Go” but the motivation to do something about it just never happens. Today was one of those days.

Weather and schedule were to allow for many hours of art creativity and production but little time was actually used taking action. I’d be tempted to chalk it up to any number of non-art variables and likely I’d be at least partially right.

So there I was with waiting canvas and paints but the whole idea of pushing ahead didn’t appeal in the slightest. Eventually very little of the day was occupied doing what I should. Nature won’t be cooperating during the upcoming days so a forced break may actually work out for the better.

If you want the sun then occasionally you have to accept the rain.

The ideal summary of today’s creative efforts.

Sundown Today

Given another favourable day for outdoor art and the time was not wasted. Tomorrow should be similar before a colder front moves in but I can’t complain; originally it was thought that all this productivity would have to wait another 3-4 weeks. I’ll just take what I can get as it comes along.

Progress achieved by the end of today’s efforts.