Vistas of Beauty
Posted on September 7, 2016 Leave a Comment
Fresh dumps of snow brought up from the Antartic region were our total delight as we traveled the Kaikoura coastline. As the road hugs the shore you have waves thundering in on one side and snow almost meeting you on the other. What a picture!
While taking lots of photos for records I was trying to imagine a painting with the sea and snow so close…quite unusual! But I will definitely be having a go 🙂
Steep hills from the Seaward Kaikouras coming right down to the flat which was only wide enough for the road and train tracks running beside. On a few occasions these craggy hills blocked the road entirely and we got to use tunnels cut through the rock, one for the train, one for on-coming traffic and one for us…all narrow and just enough for one. Then on a hairbend the direction changes and your view is the sea beating against the rocks…such power in this land and seascape.
As we came to the South-Eastern end of these ranges it opened into a large valley with the town of Kaikoura stretched across the middle…one long, straight main drag with everything sitting down the length of it. We followed the locals to the big red ‘Bakery’ sign and were not disappointed.
Lunch with a good dose of mountain air and vitamin D was just what was needed before continuing over the notorious Hundalee Hills to Christchurch. Thankfully, we did not meet the unfortunate demise of the rolled and totaled Ute that didn’t take the icy corner too well and ended up upside down in a farmer’s paddock. But, oh, the beauty of rolling hills covered with blankets of snow. Such a magical world of white! (Sunglasses were a MUST!!!!) White, white, white and more white glistening in the afternoon sun. I had never seen so much snow nor in every direction like this. It was, indeed, a magical vista of beauty.
#grateful
Operation ‘Father’s Day’
Posted on September 5, 2016 Leave a Comment
Coming in tired after a long day at work he almost missed Son #2 coming in behind him. We laughed about how far son had walked to be here (4hr car ride but no car in sight). My darling dearest took it all at face value and suspected nothing more.
We grinned.
Putting down his heavy work bag full of clever things I know nothing about, and moving into the kitchen, he was overwhelmed by two other sons springing from the bathroom where, on hearing him arrive, they had hidden with the dog. The dog was in for this game and weaved herself in between the legs of embracing Father and Sons. My darling dearest had a smile so big. “Happy Father’s Day” ringing, and us…
We grinned.
It was my darling dearest’s normal evening for Table Tennis at the club, but tonight those energetic sons whisked him out to our own table and began an evening of intense competition. My darling is ALWAYS in for that, and so the testosterone flowed and the laughter rang out right behind. Secretly…
We grinned.
Rugby Photographer
He had seen a sign advertising the local rugby game , King Country vs Poverty Bay, and had asked me on a date. The time had arrived but I took the liberty of bringing along a few extras…one daughter and three sons. We filed in and smiled real big as my enthusiastic husband shouted himself hoarse encouraging our new team along. To add to the fun stirring-daughter decided to go with the opposition. Lots of ribbing and laughter ensued.
Operation ‘Father’s Day’ was going well.
Son #3 cooked us up a great dinner and although some plates were already piled high (I forget how much these lads can eat!) there was automatic quibbling for dibs on seconds. Without thinking I nearly blew our cover claiming it for …our next surprise.
Four pairs of eyes bored into mine. ‘Be careful, Mum!’, they warned.
Giving a sideways glance we all sighed with relief as he obliviously carried on.
We breathed.
Film Crew
Hearing the car arrive, clever-daughter pretended to take dogs out for toilet break so that they didn’t give the show away with their excitement at the new arrival. They know that car sound.
Unsuspecting Father carried on.
Second daughter quietly came up behind him and slid her arms around his neck. “Happy Father’s Day, Dad.”
The look on his face was priceless. Worth all the secrecy and planning. He had assumed she couldn’t make it because of all the work shifts she had. Yet, in between #2 daughter had driven four hours to spend just four hours with us all… family complete. The joy on his face at ALL our children here for this opportunity to honour him was a special moment.
We all grinned…happy.
Operation ‘Father’s Day’ was a success. Well done, Team.
#grateful
Rugby Fans
Sunrise
Posted on September 1, 2016 Leave a Comment
A good night’s sleep had improved my motion sickness immensely. Oh, how grateful I was! (Here’s a link for that story 😦 )And now before us lay two weeks of South Island adventure. Pretty excited is probably an understatement 🙂
Drawing back the curtains in our apartment had me immediately oh-ing and ah-ing and racing for the camera. My very first capture of South Island beauty.
The sun’s first rays were peeking over the hilltops surrounding Picton’s Marina. Everything a soft blue or darker green.
Pink playing around the cloud edges.
Not a breath of wind to disturb the picture perfect reflections of boats with masts piercing upward.
Such tranquility and sereneness.
We ate our breakfast soaking in the changing colour spectrum as the sun rose higher and higher, still hidden behind those protective hills but with the day shining brighter and brighter. It’s crest of the hill announced our need to hurry up and enjoy all that this day held.
We were off… our tanks filled with the beauty.
#grateful
Intimacies With Another
Posted on August 31, 2016 Leave a Comment
Though it wasn’t as rough as on the day the Wahine went down, nor the last time we had crossed between the North and South Islands of our beautiful New Zealand, it was still far from calm. I tried so hard to keep it together…looking out the window, taking my jacket off to stay cooler, trying to concentrate on anything else apart from my churning innards. But, alas…
My darling dearest came back from watching the big screen rugby match to a ghostly white-faced wife. Being the hero he was off at a trot to get some little white bags…actually, I was so white it was more like a gallop. Returning with not only bags but also a container of ice to suck, and advice that if I moved just a little further back I would feel even less movement.
Quickly gathering our belongings we began the move, him moving gracefully, feeling fine, and me with the awkward gait of someone with no sea-legs yet. Finding an unoccupied table he proceeded to get me seated all the while watching the barometer of white to see if there was improvement. But, alas…
The little white bag and I became intimately acquainted with the deepest parts of each other.
That wonderful husband of mine lovingly took my intimacies with another and threw them all away. Back in a flash he rubbed my back, let me lean on him to sleep a little, kept me sucking those little ice cubes. He missed the game for me.Now that is love.
#grateful
Under his tender ministrations I even came round to being able to draw a few people sitting around us. The colour barometer went back to pink before we disembarked.
Painting Moments
Posted on August 30, 2016 2 Comments
All lined up waiting in your queue for the boarding call…what to do?
Sketch!
Cars all sitting nicely still in rows while I look at perspective and ratios.
Little water jars sitting serenely on the dashboard awaiting my brush.
No hurry.
“Keep it loose”, she had said.
I try.
My darling dearest with eyes closed and head back as he listens to his mp3 story.
Time to paint this moment.
#Grateful.
Acquiesced to My Request
Posted on August 29, 2016 2 Comments
I love the dictionary meaning of this word…
ACQUIESCE: (simple definition) to accept, agree, or allow something to happen by staying silent or by not arguing
(intransitive verb) to accept, comply, or submit tacitly or passively
…and that is exactly what my darling dearest did when we arrived in Wellington with an hour to spare. He kindly acquiesced to my request. He’s like that…if he can, he will. I try not to abuse it, but there wasn’t a lot else you could really do with just one hour. So, I requested. And he acquiesced 🙂
“Please could we drive slowly through the city so I can get material of all the old buildings for sketching?”
And although we had already been driving for 7 hours, you know it, he said “Sure”, as he swung the car around and began another hour of driving.
Wellington is full of old buildings meeting new ones, or architecture built in odd shapes to fit the roads surrounding. Lots of cars, people, hustle and bustle. Lots to sketch. Lots of images to put in my store of painting material.
#grateful that he acquiesced to my request.
Whanganui Detours
Posted on August 25, 2016 Leave a Comment
The Desert Rd was closed due to all that wonderful snow that had been sent at my request. So, around the western side of the mountains we went enjoying places we had picnicked at during the Summer months now all covered in freezing white.We drove past trees packed with fresh snow driven against one side. The fence posts were all the same…solid white on one plane only.Sheep trying desperately to escape the wintry blast under trees and ridges.
Looking at our map and checking our time we made the impulsive decision to go on to Wellington via Whanganui. I had never been but was inquisitive to see. We had no idea of the road we would encounter filled with slips and one way passes, nor the brown stream gathering momentum as it traveled on far below us hurtling towards that brown Whanganui River. Steep hillsides drenched with rain, sheep meeting their demise on rain-sodden cliffs, farmhouses huddled in sheltered corners with smoke signals of warmth and protection from the elements… these are images engraved from this trip.
As we traveled further towards the sea and Whanganui the surrounding hills became less intimidating, no longer reaching between heaven and earth on a 15° angle. With it our racing stream joined the Whanganui River and joined in the merry brown dance for the sea. Tied to the river edge was a paddle boat used to enjoy this waterway under, hopefully, more enchanting conditions.
The town hugs each side of this brown river.Old buildings not hurried by time or fashion. Port and industry close to the river mouth. And dotting the horizon are beautifully engineered water towers. Of course, this gave rise to a lesson from my darling dearest on the workings and function of this feature of old-town New Zealand. Clever ingenuity!
Thanks, Whanganui for the drive-through visit and the impromptu science lesson. I now have an idea of what you look like.
#Grateful
Tauhou
Posted on August 24, 2016 Leave a Comment
Waxeye…
Whiteeye…
More correctly, Silvereye.
So common here in New Zealand.
But what I did not realise was that it was not known here before the 1830’s. It was believed to have blown in from Australia, thus the Maoris called it ‘Tauhou’ which means ‘Stranger’ or ‘New Arrival’… good name, guys!
Don’t be a stranger…click on the link to see more 🙂
Soft Falling Snow
Posted on August 23, 2016 Leave a Comment
Finally the moment had arrived. All the preparing, arranging and packing had been done. Little notes were stuck to appropriate places around the house so that birds would not be forgotten, dogs would be cared for, plants would be watered and still alive on our return. The car had been checked over for oil, water and antifreeze. The snow chains were loaded in too. Goodbyes had been said the night before.
Now, just after dawn we were about to embark on a working holiday for two. In talking to God as we planned and dreamed I had asked for two things in particular…#1 to see and interact with our native Keas and #2 to see soft falling snow. Not the small bits of ice that we had so excitedly held in the palm of our hand last winter but, instead, real soft snow…just like the movies. A girl can dream, can’t she?
We pulled up the roller door and there before our eyes was gift #1…soft falling snow! Right here in our own backyard! To all those who suffered the unusual cold snap here at home I apologize…yes, it was me who asked for it. And to all of you who had SOO much fun making snowmen and playing on the slopes of Mt. Tauhara…you are welcome. 🙂
We drove off with the soft mushy splats of snow falling on our windscreen and me with a HUGE smile of wonder and thanks. It really was magical.
#grateful
Huka Falls
Posted on August 17, 2016 Leave a Comment
This was my choice of painting destination…the amazing Huka Falls.
I was excited.
Arriving at the arranged time at the top lookout I got myself organised and ready. Enthusiasm was flowing.
Excitement for the next two hours of en plein air painting with Trevor Dowman, an amazing mentor.
“Be bold”, I told myself. I tried.
“Be purposeful in your strokes.” I tried.
Adrianne came round with her famous date scones for half-time. “That’s interesting”, she said looking perplexed.
She was being incredibly gracious… it was TERRIBLE!
What was wrong? Oh me, oh my 😦
I took it home and put it on the piano to dry. It deserved to be thrown in the rubbish but it was annoying me immensely. What had gone wrong?
The next morning as I went out to my studio I realised the problem… Van Gogh knew.
“First I dream my painting, then I paint my dream”, he had said. It was drawn across my wall as a reminder, yet, I had not heeded.
I had not had a clear idea in my head of my painting before I began. All the boldness and purposefulness will be of no good if you do not know what your destination is.
I regrouped.
I imagined.
I saw it in my head.
I got out the brushes again.
MUCH better (Well, it seriously couldn’t have been worse!)
I do not have a photo of the before version…that’s probably a good thing, though it would be good to compare them.
However…follow and the link here.
#Grateful for mentors who have gone before.
Lynda Symons Artistry 