Raspberry Leaves into Mystical Meadow

 In April of 2011, Bob began this painting inspired by a photo he found online.  He called it "Raspberry Leaves".  He worked on it for a few months on and off.  In March of 2012, he reached an impasse and didn't know where to go from there.  So, it sat for another 9 months.  I looked at it, nearly every day, seeking for inspiration.  I knew it had potential, but didn't quite know where to go.

Here is a collage of the original photo and the painting as of Feb. 14, 2013

Painting was begun in April of 2011

As of December, 2011

The upper right hand area was the most unfinished.  I knew that was the key to completing this painting.  I looked through hundreds of photos of trees to get inspiration.  I gathered a few photos and made overlays, clones and collages.  I did some clone work on the meadow.  I wanted to see a "trail" leading the viewer's eye into the background.

One of the first "Clones" January 29, 2013

Another "Clone" and overlay

Then, I found this photo taken at Snow Basin

Then, came up with this overlay, which gave a template for adding the mountains in the background.

Feb. 6, Bob added the mountains. I love them. But the background trees needed more work.  They were flat and lifeless.

 so I used this partial of the painting to create ...

Another clone...this time from trees in photos taken on the road up to  Mirror Lake.

Bob was able to transform his "blobs" into forms that resembled trees.  He did some more tweaking and now the painting is 98% done.  I really love how it turned out.  Just looking at it, you wouldn't guess how much time and effort went into it.  (Including my hours of research) 

 For me, It's like painting without the hassle of actual paint and clean up. 

This is a painting that you can get lost in  (or at least WANT to get lost in it).  I think it has a "magical" quality…slightly ethereal, mystical and unreal.  The leaves in the foreground are back-lit and just glow. They are iced slightly with a cool blue/white  frosting.  They are almost "otherworldly". 

 As you gaze into it, more elements emerge.  "Oh, I didn't see that before."  "Those mountains are amazing.  They just kind of melt into the clouds."  (Click on any one of the photos and a slide show will open with enlargements)

  If anyone is interested in their own piece of amazing art,  we can have high quality giclees made. 24 x 36.  They would be about $250.

February 14...98% done

More Than Feeding Horses and Husbands

    Yes, I am so ready for Spring...(well, maybe not quite yet)  But, definitely ready for the ice to melt.  Oh....where is soft, fluffy snow when I need it?  

Of course, there are my regular chores...feeding horses and husbands, but I am so grateful for many other things that I can choose… for so many interests and the freedom to flit from one to another as the inspiration hits.    

          I love retirement.  I miss the associations I had with wonderful people, but I don't miss the office politics and the late night commutes.

People ask me what do I do?.....The answer is "Whatever I want."

          So what, if I can't go riding . I can watch horsemanship videos and read books.  I can clean saddles.  I can read my children's blogs and books.  Love it!!  I can browse genealogy and family search.

          I can organize.  I have gone back to an old card file system from 20 years ago. Makes sense and now I can also put it on the computer.

My Bead and Oil room is now semi-organized and the massage table is clear! It is now my Sewing room, too. (My old sewing room is now our Sauna and Art room.)

          I can create. I have been creating some new essential oil blends.  Part of the fun of my research is coming up with names.  Sometimes, I  recycle a favorite name of a discontinued recipe.  My newest blends are : Five Powers, Arrowhead, Citrine, Dark Horse, High Rain, Sacred Splendor, Chaco and Magic Leopard. An old blend, Tea and Roses has a new name, Moki.  Purification is now Tomahawk.  Fruitcake is now Marzipan.  I have been updating my Aromatherapy Blog.

          I can enjoy watching the beauty of High Definition. Mostly, I limit myself to 1 or 2 hours of watching TV per day… Lately, I am hooked on West Wing.  I never saw it when first broadcast. Yep, totally hooked and in love with 3 main characters. I also have enjoyed Murdoch Mysteries, Sherlock and White Collar, all on Netflix streaming.  The only shows I watch on commercial TV are Downton Abbey, Tabernacle Choir and Equitrekking.   

         I can Facebook and Pin. I check Facebook and email at least twice a day and Pinterest at least once a day. Getting so I really like Pinterest. Not only is it a way of bookmarking, but is easier than scrolling thru favorites. So many great ideas.   It's amazing how much one can learn about the personality of a person by browsing their pins and boards.  Themes surface.  It's almost as revealing as Toe Reading.  J  

          I can work on my Master's Thesis Project.  ( You didn't know I was working on that?  Ask me about it.)

I am also working on a book for publishing.  (Hmmmm. Didn't know that either?  Here's a clue….I was inspired by
Wildbound and her photo books.  I figure I can do a whole book with just my own photography now). I have been going through ALL my photos, selecting my favorites, deleting duplicates and ones that have no impact. 

           In going through photos, I keep an eye out for inspiration for Bob's Art.  In looking through my Canada photos, I came across a photo that I had overlooked before…one taken in a place called Johnston Canyon in Banff, Alberta.

          Somehow, I was drawn back into it.  It reminded me a little of Bob's previous painting, Rocky Canyon, but this place REALLY exists.  At first, I didn't care for the tree in the front right and did some extensive photo editing to remove it. Then, after looking again, I changed my mind and decided it added depth and texture.

  I did some more editing and added some ferns and mosses to the rocks on the right. 

 I think ultimately, Bob will move the tree to the right, so it doesn't cover up part of the waterfall.  I don't think people really realize what goes into creating a painting unless they have done it.  I truly considering photo editing an art form, too.  I spend countless hours editing for different effects.  I am always looking for the drama, energy, movement, emotion, light, texture, color, contrast.

       I can research quotations having to do with Nature and Wilderness, etc.

(That is totally fun…)

 “...while I am alive, I intend to live.” 
― Everett Ruess

“Good luck is opportunity meeting preparedness.” 
― Deepak Chopra

“The trail is the thing, not the end of the trail. Travel too fast,
and you miss all you are traveling for.” 
― Louis L'Amour

“Never laugh at live dragons.” 
― J.R.R. Tolkien

“Well, I must endure the presence of a few caterpillars if I wish to become acquainted with the butterflies.” 
― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince

"Sometimes we get bound up tight by people or events around us. All we have to do is change our stance. When we are willing to change the way we stand on issues and problems in life, change the way we look at things, sometimes the grasses (rewards and solutions) become much more plentiful…"..  CowboyBob

 Well, you get the idea.

Feel free to send me any quotes you think would go in a book of my photos.