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Gallery continues
PART II
Photo: The Lane
The house was built in 1874 by a Scottish pioneer named Andrew Dalgleish. He was a stonemason who also knew how to make bricks from the yellow Bruce County clay.
Photo: Handmade brick
He built a lime kiln half way up the lane behind the old farm house to make the mortar. He dressed these foundation stones from the granite boulders by hand, creating a distinctive pattern.
Photo: Granite foundations
The land on the 100 acre Crown grant supplied pine trees for the floor boards, birch for window frames and doors, and he cut the shingles from the cedar swamp at the back of the farm.
Photo: Quoins
The walls are three layers thick and end in ‘quoins’ at the corners, a detail of sophistication normally found only in the towns. This particular architectural style dates the house within 10 years.
‘The house in October from the northwest’ (2004)
oil on canvas 16 x 20
I often admire the resourcefulness and determination of our Bruce County pioneers.
Photo: Sunset
My large organic garden supplies us with potatoes, beets, squash and carrots all winter and fresh fruit and vegetables in summer. It also contains a medicinal herb garden.
Photo: Painting under the pear tree
The quietness and remoteness make this an ideal artist’s retreat, a place where one can concentrate and observe for hours on end without interruption.
The landscape is constantly changing.
‘early morning autumn mist EAST FIELD’ (2005)
oil on canvas 30 x 36
As the spring approaches, the melting snow leaves the pattern of last autumn’s plough across the fields.
‘Melting snow, east field’ (2006)
acrylic on canvas 24 x 30
Early July brings an abundance of green and the first haying.
Photo: East field
Then the bright oranges and reds of autumn again.
‘ARRAN LAKE’ (2005) ACRYLIC ON CANVAS 30 X34
The lake is an unspoiled precious ecosystem, teaming with wetland creatures and plants. The birds and frogs come close and watch me as I paint.
Photo: The old maple
This maple tree outside the back door has its own special energy. It has seen over 135 winters. The ancient Chinese Taoist physicians prescribed meditation in nature as a remedy to heal the body and the mind.
You can see the great expanse of the lake in winter in the next canvas, commissioned by Clarence and Marion McGillivray of Tara.
‘The McGillivray farm’ (2004) oil on canvas
24 x 48 (Commission)
The McGillivrays wanted to remember their farm after retiring and moving into town. They also wanted something meaningful and non-monetary to leave to their children. The trees were covered with white frost that morning. Not a sound could be heard.
Listen to the quietness.
Photo: West field after storm
Photo: Winter shadows
This is also a place to experience the powerful energy of the heavens.
Photo: Gathering storm clouds
Photo: Approaching storm
Winter storms blast in off Lake Huron, changing the appearance of everything. The painting below shows our road after a three day blizzard this winter.
‘Winter road’ (2006) acrylic on canvas 16 x 20
The next painting represents the energy of the first winter storm as it sweeps in to cover the fields with snow.
‘energy of the storm’ (2005)
oil on canvas 30 x 34
And here is another expressing the turbulent Bruce County winter landscape.
‘early winter storm’ (2005)
oil on canvas 30 x 34
But there are also days when the snow falls gently and gradually softens the lines of the distant hills.
‘Farm on the next concession’ (2005)
acrylic on canvas 20 x 24
In the country, winter is a time for looking inwardly. Not all my work is concerned with the outer appearances of things. Sometimes I prefer to paint feelings and ideas that originate within my imagination.