Spring Signs

It seems like a short time ago that I was snow raking the roofs, shoveling and plowing where all the signs of winter were everywhere. I still have it in mind how nice it is when the sun shines on what winter snows hides. Just like the sunless, dark setting above is much different when the spring angle of the sun shines and casts shadows on the same setting below.

Where there once was six plus feet of snow each day brings more and more of changes to come. I am still reminded of winter but appreciate nature's kind turn to spring yet I feel very aware of the challenges of so many other's battles this spring in other parts of the word. I like to sit out in front of the barn and feel the gentle warmth of the sun as I have a cup of coffee and see the ants march out of their winter time. I didn't think they would come out until later when it got really warm. I do take an interest in their being.

The first flowering crocus is a good sign after being covered with tons of snow.

The leaves are never completely raked especially when they are oak leaves that fall after the first snow. Raking and clean up time is a chance to renew and appreciate the season.

One sure sign of spring is the changing of the lobby painting at the Wayside Inn from the winter one to the summer one. There are signed and framed 8 x 10 prints available at the Inn's gift shop.

The summer will be here sure enough and there will be a book out from Judy Condon entitled "Joy of Country" which will be available in July. Janice and I will have our house and barn featured in a chapter of the book. She has written many "country" books and it will be available at gift shops or on Amazon.

Spoons and Walk In scenes

Janice and I were cooking a spaghetti sauce and stirring as you do , when the spoon broke. I looked at it and realized what I could do with it. Many years ago I helped paint a mural in a museum diorama that had a slight curve overhead and thought the spoon had the same feeling.... if a scene were painted on it. I thought it would be particularly nice as a background for the "Dime House Collection" that I make, each no larger than a dime.

These spoon tops are really ideal with a thin wood base and will give a little accent to the right place. It's certainly a different feel from a mural painting but it does look just fine for the little houses.

I also thought it would different to create a "backdrop" to some of the other houses that I make. After first making them as a stand up scene alone, I thought yet another way by including the houses with them. I wanted to create a feeling of taking your mind into the scene's setting, to let your mind wander for a few seconds back in time.

This particular one with the ship tied up at the pier reminded me of when I lived in Newburyport. I imagined it in the 1800's with the activity on the wharf, Rings Island across the Merrimac River and the river boat Sabino steaming along. The Sabino is now a part of the Mystic Seaport in Connecticut. If you are interested in this collection just email me or visit this spring at my Studio/Gallery where I'll have them on display as well as several others.

The Roof Rake

There has been plenty of snow this year but the image as I look at our 1770 cape, is that of classic old New England and I want to enjoy it as it is. I was talking to my brother Timothy who lives in New Hampshire and he told me I should get a roof rake, something I never thought of or wanted as I liked the look of it not wanting to spoil it. After another recent snow storm it began to pile up and now there was the fear of weight on the roof and I got to thinking I better get a roof rake. Well, many others thought the same thing..... there were none around anywhere here in Glastonbury. There was another snow about to come and along with it freezing rain making everything heavier. I had to place a special order as did many hundreds of others on a Sunday for a delivery Tuesday morning. I must say at Katz Hardware store in town the ordering system was very well organized with two people taking orders all day when I went there in person . Sure enough Tuesday morning they had a couple of pallets that arrived from Canada and were only for those that had placed a paid order in advance.

I did try shoveling a little above the back entry and the snow kept piling up. I later knocked away some of the icicles which is another concern when a soaking rain may come.

It was a lot of work but I felt I accomplished getting most of the snow as I could off the house and barn.

I did manage to make a house cut out of pine and wondered if back in the "old days" there were roof rakes?

Painting Class at the Wayside Inn

On January 22nd and the 23rd, the snow finally ended allowing for easy traveling to the Wayside Inn and spending the day creating "Summer Wagon Rides" for 36 students. Before the class began, I sat in the window seat in the Ford room gazing out toward the gardens with a cup of coffee and a pumpkin muffin thinking about the enjoyment of the rest of the day to come.

After all the preparation of the pine board we finally start to paint and to use the different patterns. I give everyone attention but I want the finished piece to be their own.

We break for lunch in the old kitchen of the Inn but at the tables everyone has gotten to the same point to later continue.

Twenty-one people enjoy the wonderful experience of having lunch and relaxation before getting back to painting......it's sometimes hard to get the energy though.

Everyone did finish this pine board, "Summer Wagon Rides" with their own individual touches. I am amazed that out of 16 in the class on Sunday, seven never painted before and all did very well, as did Saturday's class too. It will not be until next year most likely that I'll give another weekend of classes. I know some are thinking already of what the project will be, but I don't know yet. If you want to suggest an idea, write and tell me.

I hope that you will have the opportunity to visit the Inn and enjoy this historic landmark of New England where even George Washington stopped by on his way to Cambridge. You can even visit for breakfast which is open to the public from 7:30 am to 10:30am and then go to the gift shop and take home some famous muffins and pastry.

Secret Drawer Society of the Wayside Inn

Longfellow's Wayside Inn is such a beautiful place to visit. If you are ever able to spend the night in one of the inn's ten rooms it will be a wonderful memory forever. Janice and I have stayed at the Inn many times since 1995 when I hold my classes in January. It's always a special time ....getting lost from the everyday goings of life and stepping back in time. There is no television but there are plenty of letters to read with the Secret Drawer Society where you'll find yourself reading hours away.

I woke up early after a late night setting up for the Saturday class and noticed smoke coming from the chimney nearby. The fireplace was on in the Ford room where we'd soon be.

I couldn't resist reading a few of the letters and even left something myself....in room number 3. There are letters of happiness, reunions, wedding nights, anniversaries, travelers from far and nearby experiencing this special place in New England. Janice and I enjoyed reading to each other some of the letters we found. In one drawer I even found a long silk glove with the bride's poem written on it, but there are many other "finds" as well. Try to spend a night at the Inn and you too can write a letter and become a part of the Inn's history as a member of the Secret Drawer Society.

Winter Christmas Tree

I wondered at Christmas if there would be enough snow depths later to put the tree outside for the rest of the winter. Well, on January 12th here in Connecticut there was quite the storm with over 25 inches. The weather vane by the barn that was repaired after the tree fell on it last summer, now looks like it was walking on snow! Now there is plenty of snow to plant the tree where many birds can enjoy the shelter and natural feeling for all the daily seeds I sprinkle around. This way the Christmas tree can have an extended enjoyment well after Christmas by our feathered friends as well.

This change from the snowfall of winter and the Christmas tree will finally disappear to a memory. All the birds will still be fed and a delightful summer begins again. Some of my collectors have already mentioned their desire to visit the gallery when it warms up from this January winter experience and I look forward to seeing you as well.

Icicle Accents

What a change to Main Street and everywhere here in Glastonbury after an old New England blizzard visited January 12th,'11. The snow cleans and simplifies the familiarity we all see in everyday living. In many ways there is a special beauty in it's cozy image ...... but then a transformation after a cleanup with all the shoveling and plowing. The icicles magically grow one drip at a time to greet you in the morning. I stepped out the back door yesterday but I forgot to take my camera when I later went down town but came hurrying back to get it so I could capture some "icicle accents" for me and you to enjoy. .....Spring is coming!

I seldom have painted snow scenes with icicles but maybe next time I will.