July 2009: Cape Breton, Nova Scotia

I have started this blog to share and document the Drawing with Nature journey that I began (some background) in July 2009 on a trip to Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.

The Bay of St. Lawrence, near Red River, Nova Scotia, July 2009

Drawing with Nature

The pigments used in these drawings were made from natural materials – plants, soil and rocks – gathered along shore line of the Bay of St. Lawrence near Red River, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada in July 2009.

It is the nature of things in our world to change. These works reflect this process. The work and their changing appearance over time do not stand outside this process of change but as part of it. They do not anchor an actual place in time in unchanging hues – but look to express the changeable aspect of that time and place.

As observers or artists we cannot exist outside this ever changing nature of our world or reject our role as participants in it. Therefore these works try not to arrest change but embrace it. And as nature changes so will these works change in testament to this process of nature that we are all part of. Changeable works yes, but still grounded in the materials of the place from which they were created.

Below are some of the drawings that I did on that trip:

I used plain water for the medium on these and even though I later applied numerous spay coats of Acrylic Glazing Liquid water mix I lost a great deal of color and materials to the drying process. Two of the drawings though were juried into the 32nd Annual Juried Exhibition at the Ridgefield Artists Guild in October 2010.

Drawings done along Bay of St. Lawrence near Red River, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia:

The cliffs at Black Creek Cove.

The cliffs at Black Creek Cove (#1)
(Image circa 2010)

The cliffs at Black Creek Cove (#2)
(Image circa 2010) 

The cliffs at Black Creek Cove (#3)
(Image circa 2010) 

The cliffs at Black Creek Cove (#4)
(Image circa 2010)  
 

Beach rocks singing.

 Beach rocks singing on a rainy eve (#1)
(Image circa 2010)

 Beach rocks singing on a rainy eve (#2)
(Image circa 2010) 

Beach rocks singing on a rainy eve (#3)
(Image circa 2010) 

 Beach rocks singing on a rainy eve (#4)
(Image circa 2010) 

 Beach rocks singing on a rainy eve (#5)
(Image circa 2010) 

Medium: Water (note these drawing were later spayed with numerous coating of water/Acrylic Glazing Liquid (Satin), Golden Mediums, mixture)(The works created on that trip inspired me to explore mediums other than water and ways to present the work.)
Pigments: Various shale rock from the cliffs along the Bay of St. Lawrence, Pleasant Bay, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada
Surface: Unbleached Linen
Mounting: Mounted on canvas board using Neutral pH Adhesive, Lineco, Inc.

Exhibition History:
Marketplace Cafe, Sheffield, Massachusetts, one person show, August 2010 (all from above)
Ridgefield Artists Guild, Ridgefield, Connecticut, 32nd Annual Juried Exhibition, October 2010 (Black Creek #1 and Beach Rocks Singing #1 from above)

Natural pigment watercolor created from gathered plants and materials on site:

Waiting for the sunset.

Waiting for the sunset (watercolor paper postcard) (Image circa 2010)

Waiting for the sunset (watercolor paper postcard) (Image circa 2010)

Pine grove near the house drawings:

Exhibition History:
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In the pines.

In the pines, 2009, 11" x 8" (Image circa 2010)

In the pines, 2009, 15.5" x 12.5" (Image circa 2010)

In the pines, 2009, 7" x 6" (Image circa 2010)

Medium: Water (note these drawing were later spayed with numerous coating of water/Acrylic Glazing Liquid (Satin), Golden Mediums, mixture)(The works created on that trip inspired me to explore mediums other than water and ways to present the work.)
Pigments: Various plants and soils from pine grove
Surface: Unbleached Linen
Mounting: Mounted on canvas board using Neutral pH Adhesive, Lineco, Inc.

Exhibition History:
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