It’s been a while since I’ve posted but all for good reasons. I’ve been focusing on painting a new group of works for my upcoming feature exhibition at the Portland Art Gallery in Maine. Spring is finally in the air here in New Hampshire after a very cold and snowy winter. I love working in the wintertime as it offers more quiet time than other seasons of the year. This gives me a chance to review recent work and make plans for new directions. Some artists wing it and throw caution to the wind. Others take some time to figure out how recent work can be a springboard for upcoming artworks. I’m in that category working in sketchbooks and playing with color and techniques until I feel a fresh approach appearing. Then it’s time to come out of hibernation and get to work.
Lesson learned: Have a sketchbook continually being filled with both good and bad ideas.
We all would love to celebrate Thanksgiving in the way we each have enjoyed over many years. The Covid19 virus has been forcing us all to not only change but completely stop doing so many ordinary things while causing great divides in families, and among friends and coworkers. The local and national political atmosphere is also pressuring regular Americans to submit to behaviors that cause even more stress.
Not only are we dealing with maintaining the health of our families while Covid rages on, we are also concerned for the viability of family-owned and friend-owned local small businesses. And how they will survive during this disruptive pandemic including the period of time after a vaccine has been distributed. So many aspects of living have been infiltrated by Covid19. But sadly many lives have also been infiltrated by pressure to evaluate one another in ugly, personal, political, demeaning points of view. It hurts my heart and soul.
I’ll not be one who maligns or dismisses or denigrates or belittles someone because they believe differently than me. I respect other’s opinions and will expect the same in return. I love the interwoven aspects of my community and I’ll continue to be a respectful part of it no matter which political party is in the White House or state house. The ebb and flow of change is a healthy thing so we each have the opportunity to experience different ways of thinking and living. Honesty and truth at the highest levels need to be held as precious things. Without them, we only have opinions of fallible human beings.
I wish you a grateful Thanksgiving and hope you celebrate in a way that is safe, healthy and hopeful for you and those you love. Peace and Blessings to you.
Lesson learned: Thanksgiving cannot be cancelled due to a virus.
Once a year I open the doors of my little barn studio to the public for an Open Studio event. This year ‘For Spacious Skies’ is the theme and the title of the artwork in the image above. #nhopendoors.com #clarkridgefarmdunbartonnh
I’ve worked for many years using imagery I discover along the seacoasts of New England and also incorporate imagery I find nearer to home here in New Hampshire. Farms and barns abound in just a few miles from my home and I’ve begun a new series dedicated to exploring the shapes, colors, textures and people that capture my attention in a similar way I have in my New England coastal series.
Perfect day for maple sugaring open house/barn
Aged beautiful barn–one of many nearby
Wood fired maple boiling
Beginning to love horses…
Here’s a bit of a heads up to what is in store for my muddy art journey in 2020. It will include some manure, muck, maple syrup, blue jeans, boots and plenty of sunshine. Hope you’ll follow my journey inland.
Lesson learned: Pay attention to what captures my attention.
Broken down, unpainted, overgrown, rusty, messy. All the right elements for me to put on the brakes and stop the car.
Listed in no particular order: variety of warm and cool grays, strong verticals of trees and barn boards, haphazardly placed metal roofing piece, way-passed-usefulness–except for an artist–pickup truck, early fall dried branches of overgrown weeds and brambles that soften the hard edges of the non-natural forms of the truck and trash. And the splash of blue tarp color always a must.
No real plans for this beauty yet, but the wheels are turning…
Ann Trainor Domingue art 