Enterprising ....

Something I did as a little project for my place of employment. 

Although very enjoyable, this took almost too long to finish. Couldn't quite get the colours right. Or the shading. I'm out of practice. :P Situated in the new place now, so there should be much more time for painting. :)

Stewart Farm, Maynooth, Ontario

A painting I did for my mother's 75th birthday. This was the barn at the old farm where she was born and raised. I don't remember it completely and missed a few small details, but the emotion is there and I'm glad I was able to capture that somewhat. Would have liked to have taken more time with this one, but she was delighted and that makes me happy. Should be placing a lot more up on this blog soon. I have a lot of work to do in the next three weeks. :)

More Than Everything

The air is filled with memory...

Hope shelters distress

and is lost to control

that does not stay together

fingers ... tracing ... touching...

longing

kisses lost to promised zephyr

stretching time to cover discouragement

(independence does not vibrate so animated now)

when disappointment fathers fear

life moves to slow motion

and every moment from the past

is adorned in costume

and plumps to a surreal dimension

I only hold the musing;

the stars that fall fom the blackest night

shattering at my feet

I break so easily

I wish for whispers

for day to be night

and my love to settle into every corner,

that my heart might know at last

the ease of doubtless air

Copyright © roxannegaebel [06 - 27 -2010]

Fish Ladder

A painting requested by my mother to give to a friend of hers for her birthday. I'm finding balancing the colours found in nature with my own internal palette to be quite trying at best. The thing is to take the picture away from the real life scene and examine it for its own elemental merit. I decided getting the water just the right colour was unecessary, as the colours that emerge as I paint are far more interesting and beautiful. This turned out with more green than expected, but the murky brown that the river looked on the day of photographing left much to be desired. 

Anyone familiar with the Port Hope area will reconize the Ganaraska River and our infamous fish ladder. I wish I had a photograph of this from the seventies. I believe their was a foot bridge that spanned the width of the river at the top of the ladder. In any case, this holds a bounty of memory and emotion. I hope Cheryl enjoys it.

Serenity

I did this for someone special who told me that water is his inspiration and serenity. I hope that when he looks at this, it calms and soothes the soul and inspires him in the best ways possible. I let go of the perfectionist in this and I love how it turned out. More than I have in a long time. This is closer to where I want my paintings to be. I haven't given this to him yet, but hopefully he finds as much pleasure in it as I did creating it.

I love the colours I found in the sky. I think I probably spent the most time on it. The sun gave me the most grief. It is so hard to capture the exact movement that I want. *sigh* It's still something I truly enjoy doing. When I paint, I feel more free than at any other minute in the day. :)

The Lights

I have finally gifted this painting (had to wait to meet up with the recipient) and so am now finally able to share it. I wanted to give AB another attempt and although I prefer my first one to this, the rainbow of colour in this one does make me smile.  Unfortunately, the photo doesn't come close to showing the colours as vivid as they truly are. But I DO like the way I've filtered the trees in.

I am not entirely happy with this one, but I'm still learning to shush that inner perfectionist.

The Bridge

FINALLY!!

I am finally done with a painting I began about two months ago. The link (just click on the title, "The Bridge"),  provided will take you to the artist's blog who inpsired this. Scott is a gifted photographer and sees art wherever he is. I am thankful that he allowed me to use one of his photos for inspiration. 

I am not certain why this gave me such grief, but the black eyed susans were so unforgiving. I stopped when I was almost finished the bridge and had everything else painted in EXCEPT those blasted beautiful flowers. lol It sat in the living room just mocking me everytime I looked at it. I finally managed to coax the muse to help me finally finish it and now it gives me some satisfaction when I look upon it. This photograph simply does not do it justice. I couldn't capture how truly beautiful the colours look on canvas, but this is the best I can do for now.

Now I must visit this actual bridge and see how beautifully life imitates art. :P Thanks Scott!! :D