December sunrise

"December sunrise," 5 x 7 watercolor holiday greeting card

Sunshine...even when it's a shorter, cold December Day, as solstice approaches one week from today.

After a day of snow, and more coming tomorrow, even 21 degrees at sunrise lifts moods/"Red sky in morning, sailor take warning...." We are at sea on the Great Plains, and more cold and darkness is coming, but sunrise is always welcome.

Today's watercolor.

Sunrise, sunset, swiftly flow the years...

Sunrise, Sunset, 5 x 7 #watercolor card

I don't know any song that moves me more than "Sunrise, Sunset," from Fiddler on the Roof, as a father sings about his children growing older.

This is the time of year it seems to hit even closer to home, as a year nears its end, and another is just over the horizon.

Every day is a journey...'tis a time of nostalgia, of memories, of hopes for the future...footprints in snow soon to be gone.

Light and life--lessons

"Early Risers," 8 x 10, 140 lb. d'Arches cold press paper

Light and life. Two days' watercolor prompts spring from somewhere inside, after a  failure Sunday.
"Light and Luminous" was yesterday, and today was "Beautiful Blooms." 
Lessons? Tried painting "Mountain Climbing" Sunday and turned out a soulless piece with a person standing on a peak, but it had no feeling, no Terry Clark who loves mountains deep in his soul.  Depressing.
Yesterday's was a challenge, but with Susan's suggestion, I found humanity and some success in "Early Risers," the first decent 8 x 10 I've done in a while. It helps that it was on good d'Arches paper. Maybe it should be titled "Can you smell the coffee?"

"Happiness," 5 x 7 Fabriano Artistico cp

I dreaded today's subject, because while I love flowers, I hate painting them. Never been good at them because I'm too detail oriented.
After two failed attempts, I remembered from my DIY art school readings and more, "Paint shapes, not lines," and "paint what you feel, not see."
So here came "Happiness," sunflowers, the face and symbol of happiness, and life from the sun--and it's impressionistic too.
Tomorrow? Forest Animals. Can I do a decent Grizz?  Hope so. Maybe the roadrunner I saw today will help.

Oklahoma Sunset challenge--watercolor

"Oklahoma Sunset, watercolor, 5 by 7, 300 Lb. d'Arches

"Sunrise, sunset, swiftly fly the years...."

                        --Fiddler on the Roof, Sheldon Harnick, Jerry Bock

 One of the most moving, and saddest, songs I know of as a father is "Sunrise, Sunset," about daughters, and sons, growing older. It is haunting and always brings tears, tears mixed with joy.
I thought about that this morning after painting "Oklahoma Sunrise" yesterday, part of the WorldWatercolorMonth daily challenge
So again, the metaphorical aging shack at the end of another day, companion piece for yesterday. 
Sunrise, Sunset.

 

Sunrise challenge--watercolor

Oklahoma Sunrise, 5 by 7, 300 Lb. d-Arches

"I'll meet you in the morning by the bright riverside...." --Gospel song

The Oklahoma sky was golden at 6:30 this morning, and it reminded me of this song. I first heard this song at the funeral of a dear friend, Jack Rodolph, years ago, at Temple, Oklahoma.

 As I prepared for day 5 of #WorldWatercolorMonth.com daily challenge, it seemed to fit my life and the world,  and all that was needed was metaphorical aging shack, silhouetted against  the hope of a new day.

Palette--Ultamarine blue, Aureolin yellow, Cad orange, Burnt umber, Alizerin Crimson

14 days til Christmas - sunrise, sunset

Toward a new year, 5 by 7 watercolor

14 days to Christmas, as the current year nears end, and a new one approaches.
Sunrise, sunset--which, or both?
Just as water flowing down a mountainside in a creek...
Each day is a gate along a path, a lane, from somewhere to someplace as yet undetermined.