I have been hiking every day while I have been here on the Olympic Peninsula. It's a whole different world. That's my way of saying this is a quickie study. I painted it right up the road from my room. The early mornings are always socked in with the thick marine fog. 100% humidity. That means the pastel clumps a little. And hands freeze a lot. But the painting needed to be done. Let me explain.
I had a break down the other day. We had been hiking all day and it was late. Still, I had not done a painting that day. All day long my unsettled feelings haunted me. I felt like a junkie who needed her fix.....a runner who needed a run. I realized that I do not feel complete without my painting. They really are vitamins...and more. So I made an urgent stop by the side of the road in a buggy forest. I did paint...a total dog. I didn't even photograph it. I wanted to tear it up... but the Uart paper is hard to find in these parts and I didn't want to run out. I will just scrub the offending painting off the Uart and reclaim it.
But I learned my lesson. I continue the schedule that keeps me whole. That's why I painted in the thick fog before we we headed off for hurricane ridge for some more amazing hiking. At least 17 different alpine meadow flowers were blooming. Oooo lala!
7 comments:
I am thrilled to see everything you write and paint about the OP. I could tell many stories of climbs in these mountains. One: I saw one of my top 3 bears (for size) on Hurricane Ridge.
One thought: the unusual surroundings, the Olympics, are so unlike anywhere else - perhaps the urge to hike is competing with the habit to paint?
Glad you kept your pattern, even if you felt it a "dog."
Loriann,
Your addiction is a wonderful one to have. I am happy for you! May it result in a long artistic life and an awesome body of work! :-)
By the way, I like your pieces that break you away from your comfort zone! The ones you say are not successful!
You're something else Miss B.
It's ok to slow down once in a while and just
enjoy the beauty around you and as Casey said, "three large bears". I do know your need to paint everyday, just don't be so hard on yourself.
The painting of the haystacks is awesome.
PB
Wow, it doesn't look at all like a quickie! It looks marvelous. Those foggy ones are some of my favorites that you do.
Watch out for Dracula!
It always takes a little adjustment to "get" a new place. You seem to get it FAST! Even the dog must have had something right, something that you figured out as you studied and painted and slowed down to observe.
I think I stood in this same spot on Hurricane Ridge, about to start walking, when a guy in front of me a ways started singing "The hills are alive ... with the Sound of Music." I couldn't get that song out of my head for days!
It makes me happy that you love my home state so much. Yay! Washington rocks!
Lorianne, I'm so happy that you NEED to paint! It means all the more when you are living the dream!
This is a beautiful piece of the OP. Do you have plans to visit the Puget Sound...San Juan Islands? I'm hoping you find time to go there, it is truly a magical place!
Hi Casey!
The OP is truly magical! I wish I had seen the bears you saw. My biggest sighting was the heard of elk...cool for a city girl.
Hi Sally!
You are so right that it is good to break the comfort zone and stretch. Sometimes it hurts, but it always helps if you listen. And thank you!
Hey PB!
You know you don't have to worry about b...I am loving life out here- even if a bit crazed. Off to Orcas tomorrow!
Hi Jala! I thought I loved fog...especially to paint in...now I realize in moderation;-)
Hi Katherine! You do live in an awesome state! Where exactly is your home? I can definitely see the urge to sing TSOM on the hilltop. It really did look like the alps.
Hi Brenda!
Yes indeed I head to Orcas tomorrow for another week. I have been returning to Orcas for the last 5 year. LOVE IT! In fact one of my muses-a field- is there! Toodles till then!
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