Having been born and raised in Alberta, I have one thing in common with all the other Albertans. When we get summer, we enjoy it to its fullest extent! The slightest bit of sun and everyone is outside walking dogs, jogging, playing with toddlers, or otherwise enjoying nature and so I find myself amongst them. I enjoy walking the many paths and parks that are found here. What a kaleidoscope for artists of landscape! There is so much to see and absorb. I find myself dissecting nature. In looking at trees I am consciously noticing how they grow. Are they straight, or has nature gnarled and twisted them? Where do the shadows fall at different times of the day? How do the branches grow from the trunk? What is the texture of the bark and on and on….. I find myself selecting and mixing colors in my head for future reference. I look to see how the grass is growing and in which directions the blades fall, again observing and mixing color. Then there is the sky and the flowers and the shrubs. The list is endless. Painting is about really seeing what is around you and being able to commit it to canvas with a personal twist that makes it unique. Perhaps on your next walk you may want to pick one subject and observe it in detail. You may be surprised at what you really see. Have a wonderful day and make some time to enjoy nature with all of her intricacies. Until next time.
~ Nina