(click to enlarge)

Time Framed

After continuous days of showers and thunderstorms the sun decided to make its debut this evening. Golden light drenched the landscape presenting dramatic stage lighting for the surrounding scenery. A profound stillness added to nature’s drama; causing one to feel as if they had stepped into an incredible photo shoot. A capsule of time preserved and quickly snapped before it faded.

It is a momentary pocket of time that must be experienced fully by one’s senses before it rapidly passes on to the next. Allowing oneself to fully experience the moment must happen quickly and with complete surrender. Becoming attune to the present allows worries to fade and a sense of self to prevail.

Debbie Lamey-MacDonald

Powell’s Point Park, Nova Scotia

You can also view the stages of development of  ”Time Framed” here. :D

Inevitable Change

After last night’s rainfall, a cold chill hangs in the air.  Dark clouds warn of impending weather disturbances. Mother Nature broods over her unsettled disposition, suggesting that she is not yet finished delivering rain and clouds. A thunderous surf echoes in the distance as it moves rapidly to shore.  Peaks and rolling motion become mesmerizing to view; while roaring surf speaks of the ocean’s power.

Today the ocean is powerful, displaying forceful determination; while other days it whispers gently hiding its true strength.  Life seems to echo the ocean, presenting disturbances that demand immense inner strength and determination to press onward.  While other stretches of time stroke us with gentleness and peace.  It is these moments that lend a break from life’s ever-changing moods: embracing our soul so that we may prepare for inevitable changes ahead.

Debbie Lamey-MacDonald

Powell’s Point Park,Nova Scotia

I painted the study for “Inevitable Change” on the last weekend the park was open. This is a studio painting I completed from my study and also a few digitals. It was a very cold and moody morning when I set up to paint.

While at the park I began to realize how in sync I have become with it.  It has a pulse I feel emotionally connected to and I have watched and experienced its many changing moods dictated by mother nature. There is a feeling of comfort and familiarity, with a sprinkle of intrigue all mixed into one.

Oh how I love this park and what mother nature has shared with me when I am quiet and attune to her offerings. It is an experience I feel great gratitude towards and look forward to capturing many more moments in the park! It is my hope that you experience some of this feeling through my sharing of words and paint.

Sold

I just finished ” Marching Into Autumn”. It is the first painting in my Powell’s Point Park  Series.  My plein air study was used has a reference, as well as my written impressions and color notes. I began this painting by toning the canvas with cadmium yellow light. I tried to do sections at a time so I could work wet into wet. The sky was completed during one session.  Then I moved into the upper land section, down to the water in the far left hand distance and from there I did the water in the foreground. Finally, I moved to the lower portion of the painting. This painting has a bit of lightheartedness and free flow to it. There is a  S curve in its presentation as well.  I loved painting it and remember the day at the park clearly.  I have also included my reflection I completed on location as well.

Marching Into Autumn

There is such a sense of freedom today as I explore a new location to paint.  We have been blessed with a bright clear October morning.  The sun penetrates downward adding welcome warmth to the open shoreline.  Seagulls are out in abundance this morning clamoring back and forth from narrow strips of land nestled amidst the ocean.  Low tide has given them more areas to scatter upon.  They are a very noisy and busy lot as they dart about.  Bright light defines areas in the distance adding interest and drama. Fine weathered days are numbered now as we march further into autumn.  Colored leaves are reaching their peak and colder air will arrive without warning on a regular basis.  It is time to relish the moment stretching it to last beyond the hands of a clock. Negating segmented time and smoothing this moment today into one long pause.

Debbie Lamey-MacDonald

Powell’s Point Park, Nova Scotia

Now to continue with my series.  I still have a couple more studies left that  I did of the park. I will try to develop them into a couple of larger paintings as well. Hopefully, the weather will cooperate and I will be able to get back out on location to get a couple of studies of the park in winter. I hope “Marching Into Autumn” brought memories of some of your past carefree days!

I have been so busy working on location and also finishing up a  studio painting that I did not get a chance to get back to my third sketch.  Well I finally finished my apple sketch!  It was tricky working wet in wet as red is such a strong color!  It is really easy to get it smeared into areas you don’t want it! I did enjoy the process of completing this healthy looking apple.  Now I just have to choose one more apple to paint a sketch of and my foursome will be complete!

I also finished a studio painting using an earlier study I did.  The study for Upwards was posted under the title Back Out Again, Sept. 26/08.  I did manage to paint one of the chickadees that were out in abundance that evening.  It seems to fit without being contrived.  I will be posting this painting in my current work section of my site with its reflection when my husband takes a good digital of it.  Stay tuned!