Entering Unknown

Entering Unknown
Watercolor, 7" x 10"
14 May 2010

After some minor moving hubub, I'm settling into my new online home at suzannemcdermott.com. Please come visit.

I am posting everything — drawings, watercolors, photos, pastels, and other fun things under one roof.

Thanks for stopping by. See you at suzannemcdermott.com

Break of Day

Break of Day
Watercolor on Indian Village, 5"x 7"
matted and backed to 8"x 10"
$175

Zen is doing one thing at a time. I've recently discovered that this applies not only to actions moment by moment but also to the overall arc of activities — at least in my own personal here and now.

If I am going to do something well, I really must concentrate on that one something. I have not been concentrating on this painting series for quite some time but, as I am very fond of making these paintings and of staying in touch with all of you, I have been avoiding letting this project go.

This avoidance has set up a daily conflict for me. I feel the tug to make the paintings which take hours. And, as we all know, there are only so many hours in the day. I have felt the need to quit the responsibility of posting to Landscape into Art to free my conceptual theme. I may continue to make spiritual landscapes for the rest of my life but, without the confines of this particular context, my watercolor work may evolve into something else.

Anyway, I need to concentrate on things other than making paintings for this blog. I've made more than enough to constitute at least a dozen or more small series within the larger concept. And so, I am bringing these postings to an end.

I've been rising before dawn and watching daybreak through my meditation. Each dawn is a new beginning. Every ending is a new beginning, too.

It's hard to say goodbye to people, places and things we love but, as Marcus Aurelius once said, "Loss is nothing else but change, and change is Nature's delight." He also said something to the effect that it is better to leave things before things leave us, but I can't find that particular quote.

This does not mean that I am quitting painting for god's sake! Those of you who are aware of my various activities can appreciate that I concentrate intently on one form of expression then give it a rest to explore another. While I require consistent creative expression, I am not (or no longer) attached to a particular form. I find that mysterious growth occurs when I put a particular practice aside for a while.

It is a great relief to be writing this now because I know that by formally letting this go, I'll achieve better clarity for my present responsibilities. And I'll start to live without the nagging feeling of an incomplete project needing attention. I am not one to leave things unfinished. I like the feeling of completeness that comes with endings.

I love each and every one of you who have supported me in this project by purchasing paintings and through your very kind comments. The paintings are still for sale! Please feel free to select a souvenir from this series. There are various ways to browse and prices and links are in the upper right corner.

Stay in touch!

Don't go away! I am redesigning my main website which will include a new blog with a place for new paintings, photos, drawings and whatnot. Maybe new music, who knows? The new site and blog will be integrated and all inclusive. When my new website is up and running, I'll make an announcement here and visit you at your sites to say so. So please hang out in my email, RSS and followers section. Join my mailing list in the upper right corner to receive occasional news.

In the meanwhile, my daily drawing practice continues to unfold at Studies and Sketches. It's just for fun and discipline but I am posting something every day. Although I have also closed shop there today, visit My Great Day where there's a wealth of good stuff to look at, read and listen to.

Don't hesitate to leave a comment or get in touch by email.

This is just a transition phase while my presentation is under construction!

XO

Wan Light

Wan Light
Watercolor on Indian Village, 5"x 7"
matted and backed to 8"x 10"
$175

I have so enjoyed seeing everyone's winter paintings and photos. Some are simply exquisite. I can't say that I've traveled far and wide in the blogosphere but loved Sarah Wimperis' Swans in Snow, Mineke Reinder's Winter Sketches and seeing Joshemari's neighborhood blanketed in rare snow. It's a snowy world.

I worked on this as long as I could last night and then let it sit overnight. I hate to sound like a broken record (do people know what that means anymore?) but, while I could do more with it, I am letting it be it's wan self.

After arriving at a title for this, I see there's a Swedish band by the name. At this time of year in Sweden, they know the meaning of the phrase. These days where I am, it's the only light available.

As I write this, I am watching the snow fall, drinking white tea with honeysuckle in the kitchen. The local schools were closed for snow the past two days - and good thing because the roads were hazardous. But today, Saturday, is the first true snow day. It's good fun to ease into the day gently and keep life in the kitchen for a while before venturing out.

Well, I think I'll make some oatmeal!

Long Lost

Long Lost
Watercolor on Indian Village, 8"x 8"
matted and backed to 11"x 14"
$320

I have enjoyed my holiday break and making time for painting. I'll have to see how I can keep this up in the new year. I will try. But my resolution is to at least make one quick drawing every day. I'll be posting them over at my drawing blog.

Cheers and best wishes for getting into the swing of the new year.

Blue Moon Blessing

Blue Moon Blessing
Watercolor on Indian Village, 8"x 8"
matted and backed to 11"x 14"
$320

I wish you all the best of everything in the new year and in all the years to come. Enjoy every moment - it's all we have. Breathe deep, be healthy and thankful for our good fortune.

Here's my favorite quote today. I found it as I was clearing out a pile of Sunday NYT scraps.

"The thing about love is that we can't control whether we get it, but we can control whether we give it. And each feels as good as the other. Your heart doesn't know if it's loving a man, a book, or a puppy. If your heart were that smart, it would be your brain."
— Lisa Scottoline from Why My Third Husband Will be a Dog"

A good idea to keep in mind as we welcome in the New Year!

Above and Beyond

Above and Beyond
Watercolor on Indian Village, 8"x 8"
matted and backed to 11"x 14"
Sold

If I do any more work on this, I'll ruin it. I notice things in the scan that I don't see on the drawing board. In any event, my offering for the day. Enjoy it and your holidays (though I'll probably be posting throughout!) Cheers.

Southernmost

Southernmost
watercolor on Indian Village, 8"x 8"
matted and backed to 11"x 14"
$320

Yesterday, I threatened to take a nap but, instead, made this to celebrate the solstice.

After checking the Degas Landscapes book out of the local library more than half a dozen times over the past couple of years, I bought myself a used copy for Christmas. I can't say that I'm making copies but his compositions inspire me dramatically.

Happy Solstice!

Rocky Hill

Rocky Hill
watercolor on Indian Village, 8"x 8"
matted and backed to 11"x 14"
$320

Perhaps the least interesting title I've ever posted but I'm just happy to be posting a painting.

Really, I think that all anyone in the northern hemisphere should be doing right now is sleeping. That is probably because it's all I really feel like doing which is difficult considering I'm deep into yet another phase in my great big project.

I might think of my great big project as a rocky hill. I'll get to the top of it — I just need to make steady progress. In any event, it's a satisfying climb.

So, I'm doing what feel like little daily tasks. Today, for example, I printed out the ordered draft of a book I am writing. The pile of paper is about four times the size I was expecting. No wonder I'm tired!

I can tackle the next step tomorrow, after celebrating the Winter Solstice. For now, though, I think I'll take a nap!

Rush

Rush
watercolor on Indian Village, 5"x 7"
matted and backed to 8"x 10"
$175

I called this Rush because the central angle in the composition gives me that feeling. Also because it's the holiday rush and I wanted to make something cheery and bright. I am using up as much as I can of the watercolor that's already laid out, left over from previous work. The palette is untried though I'm sticking with just a few colors. Also, because of all the sparkly stuff around these days, I put out some metallic watercolors and will try to incorporate some of those over the next couple of weeks.

Here I use Daniel Smith's German Silver which is quite nice but not very showy. I saturated the paper before laying color in which led to some serious blossoms but I think they're pretty so am leaving them alone. Why not?

Early Winter Rain

Early Winter Rain
watercolor on Indian Village, 5"x 7"
matted and backed to 8"x 10"
$175

This has been sitting on my drawing table for a couple of days. I thought it was too weak to post but now - after a dreary, rainy day - I've decided that it's subtle!

Winter Sweeps In

Winter Sweeps In
watercolor on Indian Village, 5"x 7"
matted and backed to 8"x 10"
$175

The temperature has plummeted to the 20's. Sunless, sullen days challenge my enthusiastic nature. This painting captures the beauty of the light within. That's what I have to nurture as my primal fears rise up with these cold and darkening days. It's really not so long till Spring — 12 weeks or so — and there will be warm days and sunlight in the meanwhile. I'll concentrate on that and the work I have in front of me and make time for these little paintings again. When they work, they cheer me up!

Before the Frost

Before the Frost
watercolor on Indian Village, 5"x 7"
matted and backed to 8"x 10"
$175

This describes the feel of my yard and garden yesterday as it exploded in its final fall glory. Alas, it's December now and fitting that it brought the first frost and the end to the flowers. I'm thrilled the garden lasted so long considering the effort I put in this year!