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Frosty Morn in Minnesota
We have three cars here, all necessary, and they're all parked outside...no garage. Well it's my duty to get them warmed up in the morning which is fine by me. If the coffee didn't rev me up, this chilling ritual certainly does. This particular morning though was special...frost! Still being dark, as I made my way braced for the cold air, I was struck by the relative warmth, 2 degrees F and the unmistakable realization that everything was flocked by a beautiful white. This day was unique. This day nature is dressed differently. Backward, sort-of. The darks of the upright trees, usually dark against light were coated with a feathery lightness. The landscape punctuated by these dark trees now would stand today, this morning rather, clothed in a bright white. I had to paint. I wasn't absolutely sure of everything on today's list...but I knew the one thing near the top... I had to paint!
To make a long story short, I painted. Exhibit A somewhere on this page. Well I painted after the usual things occurred first. I had to pack my paints and gear and go through the Rolodex of options...you know, should I go to my favorite haunt, or just downtown...no out to nature,...not far...but I'm sick of that place...I should go to that creek, hmmm wonder if the water's open....etc. Thankfully the flocking lasted till around noon. Plenty of time to buzz a few favorite spots and pick something I liked. Actually, doing the barn was a stretch for me. I usually don't paint this composition, and choosing a barn as the main element with the flocked tree not the central element was totally unplanned, but hey, I painted.
So I leave you with a picture only. I actually took my camera and did 4 video logs. The first 3 of my first effort, in which I bailed out after 10 minutes. I froze. Doesn't happen too often but it was freak en cold...remember 2. I leave you with a couple thoughts.
1. Take advantage of the unique and keep that as your focus.
2. Be prepared, I wasn't and lost time.
3. Stay peaceful as you look for spots to paint. I take this time to pray.
4. There is no sin to wiping out a painting thats not working or that conditions warrant. I used to feel like a loser and often forced a painting and wasted valuable time.
To make a long story short, I painted. Exhibit A somewhere on this page. Well I painted after the usual things occurred first. I had to pack my paints and gear and go through the Rolodex of options...you know, should I go to my favorite haunt, or just downtown...no out to nature,...not far...but I'm sick of that place...I should go to that creek, hmmm wonder if the water's open....etc. Thankfully the flocking lasted till around noon. Plenty of time to buzz a few favorite spots and pick something I liked. Actually, doing the barn was a stretch for me. I usually don't paint this composition, and choosing a barn as the main element with the flocked tree not the central element was totally unplanned, but hey, I painted.
So I leave you with a picture only. I actually took my camera and did 4 video logs. The first 3 of my first effort, in which I bailed out after 10 minutes. I froze. Doesn't happen too often but it was freak en cold...remember 2. I leave you with a couple thoughts.
1. Take advantage of the unique and keep that as your focus.
2. Be prepared, I wasn't and lost time.
3. Stay peaceful as you look for spots to paint. I take this time to pray.
4. There is no sin to wiping out a painting thats not working or that conditions warrant. I used to feel like a loser and often forced a painting and wasted valuable time.
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