Postcards from the Lake: Cold Days (and Rick Update)

Art camp usually brings warm sunny days and it certainly started out that way. Painting on the porch was a joy -- the sounds of the lake punctuating our foray into color, pattern and image.

 

More than once we've seen Harry North, our resident heron, stalk the beach for his early morning or twilight meals. And, we had another sighting of Eddie the Eagle, perched high in one of our pines. 

 

And, we've been productive in our art. I did some Christmas cards and a fox. (Does anyone recognize this image as a photo they posted? I saved it several years ago because it was so terrific but forgot to tag it. If so, claim it!) I'm not thrilled about the eyes, but overall, and I think I need to do something to his snout, but overall, I'm pretty happy.

 

Or, I was -- till I found the original and realized that the coloring was wrong and so much more. So, I did it over. Still a little wonky in the eyes, but I think it might be better.

Here they are together. What do you think?

 

So, for several days, this is how we worked -- Kate painting at one end of the porch table, me at the other. 

 

Lots of light, lots of color!

 

Then the weather turned brisk -- temperatures in the low 50s in the morning (and one day, 49!), and not that much warmer in the afternoons. Michigan's weather can be fickle, but this is the coldest I've remembered in mid-to-late August. There was rain, too, but at least one day brought us a rainbow!

 

Before it got excessively cold, we welcomed our friends Mark and Jan for lunch as they passed through on the way home from their vacation.

 

After that, we've pretty much been inside, through rainstorms and cold days. At least the sun returned! Rather than painting at the same table, end-to-end, Kate used the desk in the bedroom and I used the pull-out counter in the kitchen. Effective but not as much fun! We've eaten simply but well, swapping off turns in the kitchen. 

 

My newest was a Sandhill crane (the coloring seems off) on a card.

 

I confess, I didn't like how this turned out either, and upon further examination realized that part of the reason had to do with working from the photo where the color was off a bit. I went back, blurred out the background some and "grayed up" the crane a bit. It's not my best, but a little better. 

 

This cup was from a Charlotte Hamilton tutorial from Este MacLeod's Coloriflori series. I noticed the lid is a bit wonky! I've done another I need to touch up. The tutorial focuses on shadow and was one of my favorites. 

 

And here are a couple from the Sketchbook Scavenger Hunt challenge. 

 

And yes, some walks around the neighborhood.

 

Some of the flowers are still lovely, but fall is definitely in the air.

I finished my course of medication and apart from still being very tired and dealing with some of the med's side effects, things are looking up. Thank you all for kind words. In another week or so I'll be back to regular visiting, commenting and replying to comments. 

 

 

 

RICK UPDATE -- At this gets posted, Rick is now -- finally -- in Ottawa, visiting his friend Neil. It hasn't been his best bike hike. One day in bad rain, others with headwinds. Noisy campsites. Roads that start as lovely trails and end up on super-busy highways -- or go totally gravel. The attachment that holds the panniers (saddlebags) on his bike) was breaking, one bump away from having no way to carry his gear. (Pity he couldn't stay at the Rosebud Motel from Schitt's Creek, which he passed by!)

 

 

But -- and it's the saving grace and the best part -- he's surviving and getting second wind and motivation. A fellow in a hardware store fixed his pannier attachment for $1.50 (Canadian). And he has met wonderful people, including one my blog buddies may know -- Jenn of Crumbly Acres and her husband, Joe. (This photo is from Jenn's site -- and she did a wonderful post about Rick's visit that I hope you'll check out!)

 

When Rick had to reroute his ride due to wildfires, he was going to end up near their home and asked if I could make an introduction. No one, anywhere, could have been more gracious and welcoming than Jenn, who said, "Sure!" and gave him a bed, dinner, and a shower. He was treated like royalty! It came on a sorely needed day and that warmth and welcome. I know I add my thanks to his. (Photo by Jenn!)

 

He'll took a couple of days in Ottawa and then headed off to the Eastern provinces and Knowlton, home of author Louise Penny. He is under strict orders to bring me Three Pines merchandise -- whatever he can fit in his saddlebags. Magnet? Bookmark? Dare I ask for a t-shirt? I don't need books -- I have all of her wonderful Gamache mysteries! Then on to New Hampshire, Vermont and his brother's in Massachusetts! 

 

Meanwhile, I'll keep painting! And Lizzie will just keep sleeping.

 

Hopefully, she'll be back on her porch soon!