Time for Reflection
Time for Reflection
The landscape of water and woodlands is where I feel most at home. It is where I grew up and where I go to ease my mind. In the evening I like to take my paddle board out to a local state park to watch the evening drama unfold. This is an area rich with life and the paddle board gives a unique view of both under and out of the water. The shadow of the board sends turtles and fish scurrying to the safety of lily pads that line the water’s edge. Swallows crisscross the surface of the lake while dipping for a drink. Sandhill Cranes call as they glide low seeking refuge for the night. I have seen a beaver slap its tail, heard coyotes yipping, and once saw a fawn swim across the lake.
The grand show happens just after sunset when the sky intensifies with color and the landscape fades to a muted silhouette. The wind stills and the lake itself becomes a kaleidoscope - ever shifting and changing in response to the sky. I bring a camera, but mostly I look, listen and feel the changes in the air and water as the evening shifts to night.
As the weather cools I feel compelled to paint this moment. What began as a quick pastel sketch became a larger watercolor which became a larger pastel painting. At the end of September I witnessed a full moon rising and reflecting as the ember glow of sunset lingered. I did a quick pastel sketch to capture the colors and atmosphere before my memory loses clarity. I hope to do some larger work inspired from this moonrise and captured in this sketch. These quick sketches are important. They go beyond what the camera can record and are reminiscent of quiet joy.
The first sketch 6x8 pastel
2nd sketch 9x12 watercolor
3rd image 12x16 pastel
Moon rise 8x6 pastel
A landscape painting is more than a picture. It is the recollection why that landscape is important to you.
Join me for a 10 day landscape painting workshop on the beautiful island of Korcula, Croatia. May 22nd- 31st 2019 All mediums are welcome. For more info visit https://www.slikamilina.ca/vianna-szabo/
