Rainy Day Study I
January 23, 2012
Golden Ears Provincial Park is one of the largest in British Columbia (over 62,500 hectares;1 hectare=2.47 acres) and features the pristine Alouette Lake. It also has three campgrounds and hiking trails through extremely rugged terrain. Vegetation is typical of the coastal western Hemlock forest of BC and the mountainous backcountry is not only rugged but has–almost annually–proven fatal to the unprepared. Those who go off are cautioned to understand what they’re getting themselves into.
Normally, Alouette Lake looks just like this . . .
Alouette Lake, Golden Ears Provincial Park (courtesy of Parks B. C.)
But the day I attempted to paint this scene, it started out very foggy, then changed to drizzle, then showed some promise of clearing-up. I was in the camping area that was the most primitive, and of course only when I decided to begin painting did it actually start to full-out pour. By then I was so into it that I had to keep going, even though drops were falling directly onto my work-in-progress (though I did have a make-shift tarp). But to this day, this is one of my most favourite paintings because even though it has its distortions, I didn’t give in and stayed until I finished it . . .
'Alouette Lake Study'
I can still smell the coleman stove coffee and feel the warmth of the mug against my numb fingers as I celebrated by putting my brushes away–and swearing I’d never paint another #%$#!@# watercolour again in my life.
weisserwatercolours 
You have lovely photos and very expressive poems. You are able to deliver great feeling in a few words. Thank you for enjoying this painting of mine. I appreciate your coming by and following my blog. I am certainly a fan of yours.
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stunning one! I really like this one!
Thank you for visiting my site and by doing so give me a chance to look at your beautiful paintings.
Francina
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hahahahahaha–holy. Well, yes–in the car with the heater full blast. But in those days gas wasn’t $1.20 litre. When I do go outdoors, I have most everything in an old attaché case (garage sale vintage), a wooden folding stool, a painting/drawing board which slips into a leather case with a shoulder strap, and a jug of water. I tape the paper to the board, the outsides of which are ample enough to hold my pallet, use my sketch pad to do a value sketch (making note of where the sun is and the shadows), and then begin.
By then the storm clouds will have moved in . . . .
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I am inspired to head outside and start working ‘live’ as you do! Have you ever painted in below 0 temperatures?
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again, I am always interested by your interpretation of things/life, Jane. It is an honour to have you think of this little piece when doing a ‘grey’ work. Greys are wonderful. I particularly love seeing emerging shapes as mists veil and play them on the eye. I consider myself a Winter person. The longing and promise of Spring is often sweeter and more wistful than its actual arrival (smile). thank you, Jane. It’s a great pleasure.
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Interesting comment about “grey” paintings. I know from now on when I do see a “grey” painting, the image and story of your watercolor (lovely) will come to mind. I am always interested in the story behind a painting. To me, that is as much a part of the painting as the image – but then again, that is from a writer’s perspective!
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It is so considerate of you to post a link which features a major work by a major artist dealing with another stormy, watery day long ago. I’m with you—I LOVE it! Holy. Days like that test our metal and make us dig deep.
I always look forward to your new posts. You enjoy a catholicity of taste (as my 4th grade teacher Miss Mosher was fond of saying)
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Your painting actually reminded me of a painting I had seen once on the net awhile ago now, but I couldn’t think of the name of the artist, all I could remember was that it was painted in the late 1800’s by someone with a name like priest.
Well I finally found it:
http://goldenagepaintings.blogspot.com/2010/05/bertram-priestman.html
I do like the painting, you don’t see a lot of “grey” paintings around, and that’s why I think I particularly remembered this one. 🙂
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I make it sound like torture, but I’m something of a whiner. Watercolour doesn’t come easy to me and I do battle alot with it. Thank you for your kindness, however I think we both realise this can really only be considered a study. I’ve never given a thought to framing it. The campground is quite a bit further around the lake, which accounts for the noticeable differences between it and the photo. Again, thank you for taking the time . . .
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Hi,
Good on you for finishing the project in terrible conditions, it could not of been easy.
I must say I rather like the painting, I would of never guessed it was the same place as the picture above it though. Isn’t it amazing how very different a place can look depending on the weather.
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