#444 • Undulating Waves of Color

 

 Click here to purchase this painting #444

http://www.claudiadiller.com/blog.htm

 

It doesn't matter whether of not we have late summer rains - the local knowledge claims more rain, brighter foliage, the fall foliage in Maine is always spectacular especially in the mountains where there are waves upon waves of undulating color. Muted now, the ridges are more at ease, more peaceful and quiet except for those ferocious gusts that fight for the remaining leaves which the trees gladly relinquish for winter bedding.

Undulating Waves of Color • 8" x 8" acrylic framed to 12" x 12" • $275

#443 • The Black of Fall

 

 Click here to purchase this painting #443

http://www.claudiadiller.com/blog.htm

 

If I had to pick a season that inspires me as an artist the most, it would have to be fall. Not the bright colors, but the absence of in between - what isn't there like a good horror movie.

It's the phonics of words like onyx and obsidian, and midnight - the pinnacle of dark time.

It's the underneath where I see beginning, creation, possibility. To feel fear and be forced to empower primal senses in order to move ahead fully present, listening and feeling forward humbly on hands and knees, and then slowly rising to meet the great unknown as a warrior of light is a profound blessing.

The Black of Fall • 8" x 8" acrylic framed to 12" x 12" • $275

#442 • Joan's View

 Click here to purchase this painting #442

http://www.claudiadiller.com/blog.htm

Although we feel the expansiveness of the ocean while we sail, there are times when, without the distraction of a good movie or even a lousy one, we need to look at or listen to something other than us. We begin to crave a way to get outside of ourselves. So when we have an opportunity to get ashore to stretch our legs, we take it. Sometimes it's a stroll through towns and villages. Other times it's tree bathing or testing our physical aptitude climbing up and through rock gardens.

This day we were invited by friends to walkabout a beautiful private Maine island. Joan's well worn path through old trees stands bent and reshaped by relentless winds, other worldly and beyond iridescent green moss beds, and boulders sculpted by ancient geological gods made us all realize we had been granted a special gift. Peace and a deep breath.

Joan's View • 12" x 36" acrylic on cradles birch • $850

#441 • Stonington Blues

Click here to purchase this painting #441

http://www.claudiadiller.com/blog.htm

A sketch from Stonington looking over to Isle au Haut. It's all of Maine's blues in one view.

Stonington Blues • 8" x 8" acrylic framed to 12" x 12" • $275

#440 • Pushy Poppy

Click here to purchase this painting #440

http://www.claudiadiller.com/blog.htm

 

All of us gardeners go snooping around the ground for signs of life as soon as the snow melts. We're like truffle hounds out there maniacally sniffing for a hint of fungi. So far I've got two daffodil shoots and a bunch of poppy. I don't remember the poppies popping so soon, but I can't remember what happened yesterday either. 

Personally, I think they're all pushing their luck right now. You want to hope Mother Nature knows what she's doing, but the climate is evolving so fast, maybe she, like us boomers who are on a non-stop treadmill to catch up with technology, might be on the same apparatus.

Pushy Poppies • 8' x 8" watercolor framed to 12" x 12" • $275

#439 • Whispers From Beneath the Snow

Click here to purchase this painting #439

http://www.claudiadiller.com/blog.htm

I took a trip to the coast to visit a friend this past weekend, and she has flowers - snow drops and crocus and lots of green shoots. They're always ahead of us down there until the sea breeze kicks in later this spring. Then we inlanders jump ahead. 

I've lost count, but last week may have been the third fake spring. So as not to give up hope - it tends to wane this time of year, here's a sketch of some spring flowers gifted to me on my birthday years ago from a friend's garden. They remind me that somewhere beneath the remaining piles of snow there are little shoots patiently waiting to break through. I think I hear them whispering, we're coming, we're coming! Though that could be a fake-out too!

Whispers From Beneath the Snow • 8" x 8" acrylic framed to 12" x 12" • $275

#438 • Three Birch

 

Click here to purchase this painting #438

http://www.claudiadiller.com/blog.htm

I always thought there was something special about birch trees. I found this piece posted by Nibwaakaa, The Indigenous Women's Ingenuity in the Great Lakes Region. The link is below.

"According to Ojibwe tradition, a spirit-boy named Winabojo once sought shelter from the Thunderbirds in the hollow interior of a birch tree after being chased by them from the birds' nest. The tough bark of the tree protected Winabojo from being attacked by the creatures, and upon emerging from his hiding place, Winabojo declared the birch tree would “forever protect and benefit the human race” with its durable and enduring bark (“Winabojo and the Birch Tree,” 1994). For this reason, birch bark is considered to be a trustworthy material for the creation of many Native American cultural objects, including the piece featured in this virtual exhibit."

http://projects.leadr.msu.edu/indigenouswomen/exhibits/show/four-views-of-a-birch-bark-con/story-of-the-birch-tree

Three Birch • 8" x 8" acrylic framed to 12" x 12" • $275