In the 1940 film "Rebecca", the character played by Joan Fontaine (no relation), explains to Maxim de Winter, played by Laurence Olivier that her dear, late father was a painter. He painted trees; "at least it was one tree". The unnamed artist's theory was that if you should find one perfect thing or place you should, "Stick to it".
If you read last month's blog, you know that for me, a perfect tree is a willow. I am challenged to capture in paint the emotion they evoke in my heart.
One group of trees that I return to, time and again, are the willows that surround the water treatment ponds in Cranbrook B.C.
I first discovered the view while scouting locations for the project, "Sunday Drive Discoveries" which was funded by the Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance. The grant gave me gas money to explore roads I had never ventured on before, as well as funding for art supplies to develop paintings for a show in the months afterwards.
Painting one subject numerous times can be frowned upon in the art world; it can also be celebrated as learning one's subject thoroughly, from one season to the next.
My belief is that if a view makes your heart sing, you should revisit it often, expanding your skills while your heart rests in the joy of the magnificent scene before you.
Some of my willow paintings are well travelled. A few were purchased at silent auctions to benefit a local art gallery during their annual fundraisers. One made its way to an antique shop, then into the hands of a musician from Nova Scotia. He sent me a lovely note, explaining how my painting would now be part of his collection on the East Coast of Canada.
The most recent version of "my" trees was painted only last month. The title is, "Oops! I Painted Them Again! (Cranbrook B.C. Willows)". I was thinking of the Britney Spears lyric, "Oops, I did it again..." and the tune was stuck in my head, so I wrote it on the back of the canvas. It was also a bit of a snide comment to those who have "advised" me that I return too often to familiar subjects. Here is the painting:
Here is another version of the same scene, painted over a decade ago, (!), but in a different season:
So, apparently, the suggestion of the film to "stick to it" has stuck with me! My adoration of these trees is a visceral reaction that happens each time I see them. I've watched them grow for over 35 years and they never cease to squeeze my heart with joy.
Thank you for spending this time with me,
Lori xx