January 1, 2007 Issue
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How soon
the new year arrives! It seems we just got home after spending Christmas
with the kids and their families, and now it is New Year's Day! As
we eased back into routine, remembering joy and laughter, the days slipped
by. Rain fell and the wind blew. Tucked in warm and dry, the
short days of winter flipped past as calendar pages in the hands
of a mischievous child.
So, here it is, 2007. The seventh year of the new
millennium is about to present us with challenges to address with enthusiasm.
We are set to learn new and advanced technology to improve the giclees
on canvas that we launched in 2006. There will be larger format artwork.
The back-up work will become easier with the mastering of color management.
A Carol Thompson hardbound book is "on the drawing board"
(figuratively speaking). More booklets are in production on various
subjects such as Gouache, and other media, as well as different subject
matter; Boats/Harbors, Americana, etc.
So, as the latest Northwest storm blusters outside my
window, my thoughts turn to February, March, April,,,,,,,,
Next issue: Stormy Seas
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The Colors of Winter
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Winter is here in the far Northwest
reaches of the great United States. It seems grey and colorless with
endless rain and dark moody skies. That is, until you begin to "see".
Against a deep silvery sky a brilliant
streak of vivid blue flashes by. It is followed by another as two
Stellar's Jays flit about, seeking a quick meal. Under red-brown
twigs of shrubbery (already showing pale green buds swelling), a glimpse
of rust and black signals that the Towhees are also feeding along the edges
of the hedges. Here and there a robin ricochets under bushes and
trees hoping to find the best of the grubs and worms forced to come to
the surface by recent rainfall. Partly sunny days are tinged with
gold, pink, lavender and blue when a lazy, low hanging sun coaxes the clouds
to part momentarily.
The temperature may drop overnight and
the rain becomes snow, blanketing the world in white crystal. A pale
sunrise casts golden beams over the gentle landscape. Shadows roll
rhythmically in purple bands across what was once pedestrian dullness.
You follow the sound of children's laughter and see red, blue, yellow,
green wooly heads and hands coaxing snow angels from the chilly softness.
“Stellar's Jays flit about, seeking
a quick meal”
Winter pansies dressed in purple and gold fit for a queen,
nod in the sweeping wind. The understated |
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lavender and white hues of Kale border the sleeping
garden. Tall golden grasses bend gracefully against a backdrop
of deep green Douglas fir. Holly trees dazzle the eye with
vibrant clumps of red berries set amongst sharply bright green leaves.
Red and orange leaves still cling to deciduous trees as though reluctant
to “leave the nest” and go adventuring.
“Turn your attention to the beauty.......”
In the cities, traffic lights that pulse red, gold and
green reflect in a kaleidoscopic display on the wet pavement. People
pass by wearing all the hues of a sudden rainbow. Chromatic
vehicles of all descriptions move in and out of the glow from windows along
the byways.
Colorful? Yes. I turn my attention to the
beauty of a resplendent winter in the Northwest. I begin to visualize
what media I would use to recreate the subtle beauty of winter. Pastel
gives me the vibrancy of the sparkling snow covered vistas. Gouache
softens the dark skies and can effectively render grey rainy days.
Watercolor can bring to life the garden and it’s gentle colors. Oil
would capture holly trees, golden grasses and dark Douglas firs.
I ascend to my loft to paint!
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