Smitten

"Summer Stream Dawn"

oil pastel/oil pencil study

(click on image for a larger view)

I just deviated a "tad" from working on the "From the Tallgrass" exhibit this coming summer at Neal Smith NWR, by doing a small (6X12") oil pastel and oil pencil study of the creek down below us here in the valley.  

 

I had been searching for "prairie" material while viewing years of video footage I've taken and came across this wonderful section of the Waterman Creek about a mile and a half south of us and was immediately taken with it.  I have found so many things in the past that have interested me as material for future paintings or drawings, and a familiar thing always seems to happen - I either lose interest or grow less "smitten", or even forget!

I am not an organized person...OK, maybe too much information, but everyone has their short-comings...that's at least one of mine.  I've always relied on my memory and its just not holding up as I pile on new thoughts!  The old "hard drive" is finding a need to delete information as more is downloaded!  That's about as concise as I can put it!

But when I saw this footage from 2012, I really was smitten - I knew it had to be squeezed in NOW, or be deleted or forgotten from memory someday.  So as soon as I finished my last drawing (Big Bluestem, color pencil) I started this sketch immediately.

I really want to do a larger oil painting of this scene, now that I see how well this study works for me.  I hope I do not lose interest (another short-coming 'ADD' perhaps?) and never get back to trying a larger studio piece; but I can't think about that now - Too Much To Do!!!

Back to Work!

Summer Morning

"Summer Morning" - oil painting (12X24")

© Bruce A. Morrison

(click on image for a larger view)

Yesterday was a typical summer morning.  The low lying mist wasn't as heavy as usual, but the dew point was a tad lower than in recent weeks, and thank goodness it was cool for a change.  One thing hadn't changed - the blackflies were insane (some call them buffalo gnats or biting gnats).  Why is something always there to put a bur in the moment (?) - I don't know, I just try to adapt.  I've taken to wearing bug netting over my head...I don't think I'll post a picture of that, it looks weird and undignified.  But the bugs are the rulers of their kingdom and when you step outside you're fair game!

What was exceptional that morning was the air...still as...well, more than a whisper.  Early light was wonderful, something you carry and remember months later when you're house bound.  I don't know if I came away with anything that memorable "visually speaking", but I still hear the birds singing...a Grasshopper Sparrow stands out, I haven't had the privilege in some time!

I try and keep these moments in a place for future keeping and the oil painting above is one example.  It still sits drying on the easel here a few feet away, and I can yet see that morning and hear the birds.  

"Summer Morning" - oil pastel "study" (6X12")

© Bruce A. Morrison
(Sold)

(click on image for a larger view)

I had wanted to attempt this piece for some time, waiting for other committed work to be completed.  I finally did a smaller (6X12") oil pastel 2-3 months back; I treat smaller studies like you would test the water with a toe or hand before jumping in.  It seemed right and now the experience is behind me and I'm looking forward to another! 

This morning the wind whips across the valley...it'd be a decent day to work through more commitments here in the studio; nothing is more distracting than a summer gale on the prairie!  I might just reflect back on more past walks down the valley...step down to the creek and test the water...