Sunday, September 20, 2009

forgotten lands of the ICC, immediately after sunrise


Back to the field. They (the construction people) have begun to tear it up. The flowers have been run over in parts. I feel like I am in the race against time. The more I paint this field the more I love it and feel a deep sadness for what we are doing to nature. I have a solo show coming up in November and I have decided to dedicate it to the forgotten lands. Only paintings from my field series (which means I really have to put on the gas to complete some big ones!) The concept of the sadness of beautiful  land lost to road and development really resonates to my core. Where are all those animals going to go? We wonder why so many deer are hit day after day on our roads. (Could it be we are taking THEIR homes?) I grew up surrounded by fields, lakes and streams. A place that I knew inside out from an early age. That area too has changed, mowed over for development. Where will we stop? It seems like there are better ways to solve our transportation issues than more roads for our big cars. Ok...enough on that rant. Yipes! Any thoughts?

About the painting: still playing with the idea of a warm/cool and a cool/warm, dominant color and of course, simultaneous contrast.

13 comments:

Double "D" said...

Wow, where to start ... should I start?
I grew up on a farm surrounded by fields and swale's and woods and streams and ponds. Believe it or not it's still that way. The old church is gone but my cousins house, my house, my grandmothers house and my aunts house are still there with different people living there but basically the same. The old cemetery where my great grand father, grand father and my parents are buried. All are still there. Per your question, I think the progression of this deviling of the land is beyond our control. Because of that, I tend to look in places where progress will never come. These places are far enough off the beaten path to survive and remain at a slower pace of living. I think those places will always be there. Maybe in a 100 years things may change, but I doubt it.

The key is to get very far off the beaten path, so far back that only peace and tranquility exist.
I know that big cities expand and swallow up the good land and wildlife, but not all cities grow, some stay the same and some actually get smaller. Nature comes back and retakes what is rightfully hers. I feel in my heart that these places will always exist. At least that's what my heart says.

Good luck with your field. I think this one is the best yet. You are so dedicated it makes me embarrassed at how lazy I am. Thanks for all your dedication and inspiration. I'm so thankful I found your blog.

Your painting buddy.

loriann signori said...

Hey painting buddy,

Where do you live? It sounds like you are so fortunate to live so far away from civilization. For now I am here in a beautiful, but metropolitan area. My husband is a scientist who researches cancer at the National Institute of Health. It is a place where pure research really does happen; so a much coveted spot. I look to one day be farther out into more untouched lands. It still seems to me that if we, as a country, were more purposeful with our development we could do far better.
Oh dear, I think I ranted again!
Doug, thank you so much for all your supportive comments. I am so glad that you found my blog too!
Now I really can't wait to see more of those MAINE PAINTINGS!

your painting buddette

Brian McGurgan said...

Beautiful early morning feel to this painting, Loriann, with the long shadows and soft yellow light. These paintings will make for a beautiful and poignant solo show.

susan hong-sammons said...

What a shock to read that all this natural beauty will soon be gone. I feel your pain at it's loss. I'm so glad you'll be documenting it's spirit. Interesting as you wrestle with temperture issue we as a society must also wrestle with just how much conveniences do we really need and at what costs.

Donna T said...

I understand your feelings too. It's just so incredibly sad to lose such natural beauty - for what? So people can rush around and 'get there' faster? These paintings seem even more beautiful because we know they represent something that cannot be replaced.

Anita Stoll said...

This is my second move to a rural setting. I know just what you mean. Perhaps this is why I'm a landscape painter so that I have memories of what it once way before human "progress" invaded. Perhaps others will too when seeing our paintings and upon seeing them will reflect back into time seeing what once was. And again your painting is beautiful as usual.

Katherine Kean said...

Loriann,

I feel the same way about civilization taking over the wild lands.

This is my first visit to your blog and I love your pastels. Beautiful color and mood.

Good luck capturing as much of the beauty of your field as you can before it is lost.

Brenda Boylan said...

Lorianne, Your notes about this place you painted really is saddening. I've seen it happening everywhere I've lived. From the fruited valleys of what is now called Silicon Valley, (Santa Clara, CA) to forested plots in my very own neighborhood. We tried to stop the development but the "permits" were assigned and gave us no veto over it. It's all about the money and not conservation of our beautiful lands. My heart breaks for your beautiful area. Paint on!

RRoseman said...

hi Loriann-been reading your blog for a while-thought I would let you know that we have a farm in northern va on the potomac river-near george washingtons birthplace-we are putting it into an easement conservation so that the land must be kept as farm land for as long as the laws aren't changed I guess-I took some pictures for you last weekend and I'll email them to you-you can come and paint anytime! as long as I can come too!( we live in richmond,va)Hope to come up and see the show in Maryland. Where is your solo show going to be? Thanks for your inspiration-Regina Roseman Tune

loriann signori said...

Wow, thanks everyone!

Hi Brian, Thanks for your input. That morning light is my favorite. How about you?

Susan, You are so right...
convenience, but at what cost? Why don't we ever look ahead..far ahead to understand the impact? In the meantime, I will continue to wrestle with something manageable, temperature.

Thanks Donna. It is sad knowing we can never get it back again. I hope I can really paint the feelings on the issue. See you at the MPS show openning?

Thanks Anita. I find it fascinating how the memories of our loved and lost lands stay with us forever, in their beautiful state. It's for those who follow us that we must fight to keep nature untouched.

Hi Katherine and welcome to my blog! I will continue to work on the field till they move me off it. Keep tuned.

Hi Brenda! I feel your pain too. I will continue the quest in hopes that it can help.

Hi Regina, Thanks for reading my blog and taking the time to comment. Congratulations on placing your land in an easement conservation. I would love to join you there to paint. The Potomac River is gorgeous! My next solo is in November. This is the one I am trying to prepare this statement for. I'll put more info on the blog as it comes. Email me your snail mail and I will send you a card.
See ya round! Loriann

Karen said...

I think the absolutely most stunning part of this painting is that amazing little piece of light that moves from cool into warm. Wow!!!

loriann signori said...

Thanks Karen!

Jala Pfaff said...

Beautiful painting!!

I totally feel the same way you do.