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Aaaah, February Break! A week where I can wear my pajamas and snack all day if I want to! I own so many pieces of clothing sporting acrylic paint, that I admit to painting in my pajamas. As for the snacking, well, we have two wedding parties happening this summer, so I am trying to behave myself. (Trying).
This has been a productive time finishing two paintings; Km 1950 in eastern Quebec and Km 3000, North Bay, Ontario. It seems I have so many memories tied up with the Trans Canada Highway. I know both these views, the first on multiple trips back and forth to Ontario in our Windstar van, filled to the rafters with children, family dog, clothes and noise. The second view was again with the Windstar and our two girls, travelling to their music camp near Perry Sound. The Trans Canada has truly played a role in my life experiences. I'm so happy to take part in this project, honouring the road and countryside that has been such a part in making my memories possible. One of the major things that keeps us on road and going is gas. Normally I wouldn't consider painting a picture of a gas station all that inspiring until I saw this one at sunset. The muted colours and the artificial lighting reminded me of Edward Hopper's "Night Hawks". The glowing, almost fluorescent sky was a challenge to paint. Underneath this sky are about 15 'other' skies that didn't measure up to what I wanted and were painted over - again and again. I almost gave up on it, but I am glad I didn't.
Petro-Canada stations are a familiar site across the country so it just seemed fitting that the gas station I painted can be found anywhere along the route. The Trans Canada runs through Regina, a series of stoplights and signposts. I found a few images that intrigued me, but I loved the little piece of nature that man had put out on display in the noisy concrete jungle. A little piece of serenity in the mad rush to get to ones destination. We had just driven for two hours through peaceful countryside, watching everything wake up. These pots were very welcome objects, indeed.
Although the piece seems simple, it was not. Two point perspective is fun, but not when the two vanishing points are feet beyond the edges of the canvas. Creating the buildings and deciding to keep them simple (when I SOooooo love detail) was hard. I think I will sit on this awhile before signing, in case I tweak it. |
Carol Loeb
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