Seasons

The weather is so unusually warm and delightful Jane took us outside painting today.  We were introduced to a new palette – the prismatic which uses the bright yellow, ultramarine blue, bright red, and white.  We were told to utilize impressionistic techniques and to spend most of our time mixing colors before putting anything on canvas.  I finally got to use my palette knife and flail away with color.  I’ll put in some highlights on this in the studio when it dries a bit, but this is what fell off my brush today.
Not only is the weather unusual, but a whole new feeling has come over the school and students upon our return from break.  The season has changed from the lazy summer and enjoyment of life.  All of a sudden there is a date, December 11th, looming ahead – the day of the big exhibit of our work which is opened up to the public.  We see a time for departure coming, the need to produce and to reap what we have sown during the ease of our summer.  It is harvest season.

The layers of work we have been doing are supposed to show growth and improvement in our use of materials as well as ability to translate to canvas.  The assignment for this painting was to depict something transparent, something shiny, and something soft.  The coffee cup and candle are from my apartment and the fake grapes are from the school.  I have a bit more work on the grapes, but this is another going to the finished pile. 

This started out in life as a black and white study followed by tonal adaptation.  Lots of glazing and scumbling to build the layers.  It, too, is done.  I am amazed at how much color can emerge from only five paints – golden ochre, burnt siena, black, white, and ultra marine blue. 

One last show and tell.  This is our baroque technique painting – all done in black and white.  I finished the underpainting this morning.  Once it is completely dry, I will glaze the whole thing with raw umber to give it almost a sepia look.  Then another layer of opaque for more highlights and another glaze.  For never having done anything like this, I must say I am pretty pleased so far.

As I have been working away in the studio, my mind wanders and is starting to explore what I have gained in this whole experience.  Certainly an appreciation for village life in a 2nd world country.  For instance, today was a national strike protesting the austerity measures.  No mail, no ferry, no offices open, no school – but the streets were full and shops and restaurants were open as everyone met and talked and talked and talked.  Meeting the individuals who are trying to cope with the crisis in their lives adds depth to the stories that barely make the US internet.  Our world is much bigger than our own lives, but also much smaller because of our shared humanity.

One of my big issues over the past 15 years has been trying to find home.  I have found bits and pieces of it in Cedar Rapids, Asheville, Yorkshire, Greece, with friends, with family, at a job, and in pursuit of creativity.  Finally what I am realizing is that all of this is stored up inside of me – it can’t be destroyed or lost (no comments about the losing of my mind, please).  I can access different areas by being quiet and listening within.  So perhaps home is me, after all.  I just need to take time to be quiet and center my mind and be home.

Several have asked about the refugee crisis here.  Paros is not affected because it is pretty far west from the current and out of the flow of traffic trying to access Europe.  The calamity is huge and unfortunately the EU is not forthcoming with funding and help – although I guess NGO’s are heading this way in large numbers.

I think leaving this place is going to be difficult in many ways.  The largest is the slow pace and lack of technology that has broken the addiction of TV and rush of instant knowledge and communication.  Evenings are times of slowness and calm.  No papers or crossword puzzles to take up my morning (nor long hot showers either, so there are disadvantages to the lifestyle!)  You have no idea how exciting it was to buy a small lamp so I can actually see to do needlework or read a book – like I said, life is much more about gratitude and acceptance than bustle and commerce. 

Tomorrow is our hike day.  Once again the weather is supposed to be unseasonably beautiful.  They need rain here, but the hillsides are greening up simply from the moisture in the morning dew.  How little nature needs to extend the bounty of beauty.  I hope I learn that lesson as well.  Enough for now.  May your day be full of simple joys and deep pleasure.