from Pen and Brush

Oct. 24, 2010

2010-10-24T09:57:00.000-07:00

It is another gorgeous day on the South Shore of Nova Scotia.

Steve is off looking to order pies from the West Queens First Responders' fundraiser. Check at Seascape in Port Mouton before the end of the month if you might be interested. Barb Campbell has a notice on Facebook. lots of good stuff, freezer ready or just thaw, even no sugar added.

The leaves are past their prime but there are still heart stoppingly beautiful hues from every window.

This week we were to receive rain and wind. Sounded rather nasty but it was beautiful (to me at any rate). The big dark clouds would roll in and the showers were hard and short. Between showers the sun would shine and birds would start their songs only to quieten and head for cover for the next windy wetting. Still many leaves to come down. The ocean view from the kitchen window showed a ruffle of pure white clouds along the horizon that I try to capture but the reach of the camera just isn't powerful enough. Will have to grab paints instead and try until I get it just so.

Some birds of note this week include a Black-billed Cuckoo and White Breasted Nuthatches.

Also had a Blue Jay here all one day on the feeder with no tail. No tail at all as far as I could see. I haven't any idea how long it takes a bird of any sort to grow a tail. I hope this one did but I haven't seen it since that I know of.

Several new paintings have been completed this past two weeks.

These are posted on my website

http://margmillard.ca/

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Since I received a commission for a floorcloth some time ago, I did several new cloths and am just finishing the sealing, now we have heat on in the house. This is to go into a commercial establishment and I need to ensure it will take the foot traffic it will receive.

I wonder how I get this all to line up but soon I will figure it all out

hmmm Steve is here with 2 pies from Coastal Queens Place Bake sale. Tea break!

Thanksgiving 2010

2010-10-12T11:13:00.001-07:00

October 12, 2010

Yesterday, being a lovely Thanksgiving Day, Steve and I headed out on our annual colour pilgrimage.

The colours are quite muted this fall especially after the spectacular show last year. So…where to go? Got to check sun wind direction and then see where the driver wants to go. Steve prefers inland to shoreline most times.

We decided on one of our favorite jaunts, up along the Medway from the 103 to Greenfield and back along Garden Lots Road to Milton.

After a quick stop in town for gas (and milk for tea) we headed off. Not a lot of traffic on the 103, although lots of crows feasting on roadside buffet. It is always a lovely drive up the river so we took our time and stopped occasionally so I could get a few photos of the highlights. We were lucky in that there was exceptionally little traffic on the River Road at all.

From twisted trunks, perfect leaves lying in the roadway and little mushrooms/toadstools, there are treats everywhere. I am always looking for something to use as an idea or reference when painting and plenty will be used from this drive.

So many beautiful views.

At Bangs Falls the colour was probably the best. With the sun glinting off the water as it works its way through the rocky bed it was a pleasure to stop and enjoy the views for a few minutes.

We headed into the Garden Lots road and up to Lake Rossignal. No time yet this year for the wonderful cranberries but soon Steve will try for a trip. So many pickers yet so far, plenty for everyone.

(For Thanksgiving Dinner we took a bottle of flavoured wine from Lunenburg Winery, cranberry. If it cranberry something I must try it. It was pretty good once it breathed/ warmed a tad. Too cold the flavor seemed overwhelmed. It was a gorgeous colour!!)

As we drove down the river past a bridge being rebuilt and many culverts that have been replaced and past all the new logging roads it was a sad realization there is going to be less and less to enjoy as the woods are stripped away.

A special treat: just past where the Mersey Lodge used to be (still seems to be something there) we came to a brook, I can’t remember the name, and stopped. Always a photo op here!!

The brook burbles under the road and into a small stillwater then gurgles over some rocks and

disappears through the trees on its merry way.

There is colour there if you look. I find it refreshes me, rekindling the urge to paint.

First I have to do a bit of house work!!

Watch for some of these scenes at

http://margmillard.ca/

September 12, 2010

2010-09-12T12:06:00.000-07:00

This blogging isn't something I seem to do every day. I will as things go along try more often but for not it will be hit and miss.
I have to say I attended the most wonderful wedding yesterday. It took place on Carter's Beach, Port Mouton in the afternoon with everyone praying the rain would hold off and that the sun would put in an appearance. It did. There was a brisk wind blowing, gorgeous (to me as a painter) clouds traveling at different levels and in different directions.
The decorations were simple, tasteful and very attractive. Alsothey were easily removed so no damage was done to beach or its natural residents.
Guests and Bride were piped to the site. The pipes on the beach kindled thoughts from deep in my soul. Ancient memories from ancestors.
Good luck Heidi and Alan.
More to come

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

2010-08-25T01:47:00.000-07:00

It has taken a long time but the new website is finally going up and with it the pay pal process. I am also trying to keep in touch with you who have been following the old site. Changes had to happen, my old composer was just defunct.
I hope to keep connection this fresh, interesting and even at times maybe inspiring, although to be honest inspiring to whom ? probably me.
As this painting adventure unfolds is it absorbing more and more of my time and energy and I hope to share the excitements and probably the lows as well.
That' it for now.

Take note:! 4 months and the Christmas preps for this year will be done.......or it is too late.