Sunday, September 5, 2010

grackle morning

9x9 pastel and watercolor on wallis
Early morning on the canal, planted my feet in one of my favorite spots and painted. After finishing my painting and I started to pack up and the fiesta began. Oh, what an amazing sight! The skies above the canal were full of beautiful iridescent grackles. They were zig-zagging back and forth as a big group. I think they were migrating and feeding in mass. I stood mesmerized and watched. I will never forget that morning.
On another note, I just learned that yesterday's painting took first place in the Kensington Plein Air. I have never won a plein air contest...and I wasn't even at the reception...darn! I had planned to be there but I wasn't feeling well. I decided to take a nap...well the nap lasted about 15 hours. Now I feel much better, so back to business.

16 comments:

Janelle Goodwin said...

Congratulations on taking first place in the plein air contest. You deserve it!

Doesn't it feel good to take a really, really long nap?

Paula said...

loriann, did you get photo I sent you with the first place ribbon on it?
This was actually the first time that I saw any of your paintings in person...they are even more beautiful in real life!! (and I am pretty sure that you won another prize--in a different category!
Congratulations again!

SamArtDog said...

Good for you! I love that Kensington Korner! Glad someone else (like the judge) did, too.

loriann signori said...

Hi Janelle and thank you! It's amazing how much better I feel today!

Hi Paula! I just checked my email and to my delight, there it was. Thanks so much for thinking of me and sending it my way. I am tickled!

Hi Sam! Thanks...I have been thinking about what you said...Chinese- action happening in the white space... interesting comparison to that painting. It makes me think differently about roads. Thanks for opening up a new avenue of thought.

Nika said...

Yay, Congrats!!! Kensington painting is a very interesting, done from a perspective of someone who knows the location very well but at the same time transcendent, if I may put it that way. I don't know if you remember the movie American Beauty and it's opening shots of a street seen from above from a perspective of someone looking back at his life and seeing it a new way. I got the same feeling from your yesterday's painting...

Brenda Boylan said...

Wow Lorianne! This news is great that you won a 1st place plein air award! Looks like luck is in the air! :) I'm sure you will have many more to come!

What ever are grackles? Your description sounds like it was magical... and beautiful to watch. Oooh.

Leah said...

Congrats Loriann! We've just survived hurricane Earl. The power and water are back on and the heat wave is gone... yay!

Brian McGurgan said...

This is a lovely one, Loriann. I can feel the sun warming those trees. Congratulations on your win!

Anonymous said...

It's so nice to be recognized. From what I've seen of your work here, you deserve it! Congratulations!
This piece is so lovely, the colors both brilliant and subtle at the same time!

brian eppley said...

Congrats on the award. All of your work is strong but it is nice when a judge finally recognizes it!

loriann signori said...

Thanks Nika!!!! Unfortunateley I did not see American Beauty..very interesting idea though. I can always count on you for a different perspective.

loriann signori said...

Hi Brenda and thank you so much! Grackles look like very sleek crows, the biggest difference is they have iridescent colors. I think they are beautiful. This is the time of year when we see them in big groups. it was magic! Thanks again!

loriann signori said...

Hi Leah and thank you! Earl just gave us a nice breeze..sounds like he gave you a bit more.

loriann signori said...

Hi Brian, Brian and Donald! You are right, it is nice to be recognize a little once and a while. Thanks for dropping by and the congrats!

Jala Pfaff said...

Beautiful. Love that dusty violet.
Congrats--see how easy it is for you? take a nap and win first place, all at the same time. :)

loriann signori said...

Thanks Jala...you are funny!