Happy Valentines
Post Early
A reminder to post early for Valentine's Day.
The Design Studio helps out
Normally The Design Studio does not really celebrate Valentine' day as it is so close to Founder's Day celebrations but Cupid said he was really desperate. Winter storm Nemo had totally destroyed his schedule and he was woefully behind with his preparations. Being very kindhearted, Lancelot agreed to help, (having negotiated the usual overtime rates.). Almost everyone is at work here. With luck, Cupid should be able to fill most of his outstanding obligations
A very Red Red Fox
Same Red Fox, but with a very different background. Acrylic on wood panel, 12 x 12".
Big, Red Fox
Walking at the Point early one morning, a few walks ago, I met a lady coming in the opposite direction. "There's a Big, Red Fox coming this way" she said, "You might want to carry a big stick." So naturally and stickless, I set off in the direction she had come from. Alas no sign of the fox, but if I had seen him, this is what he might have looked like....
Fresh inspiration
Last night we went to hear a fascinating lecture by the caricaturist Philip Burke. Lancelot was most inspired and when I came into the studio this morning I found him hard at work
Another owl joins the group
Ever since Athena went to live in a library in upstate New York the other owls have been constantly pestering me for a new playmate. This morning Raphaeowl finally joined them. He still needs a little spit and polish but he is basically done. His chest plumage comes from a sheet of decorative paper with Thai script on it and the rest of him is covered with pages from a vintage Japanese book with mulberry bark paper.
What to do when it is too cold to go out.
Lancelot is not particularly fond of cold weather and with Wilfred only just recovering from the flu and the squirrels suffering from post traumatic stress disorder following their recent swallowing, everyone at the Design Studio has been staying in and working. It was a good opportunity to design a special crest for the Studio, something that Lancelot has been wanting to do for some time.
The River finally freezes
After a week of bitterly cold weather, never rising above about 23 degrees, the river finally froze solid. Yesterday the first ice hockey game of the New Year took place. Late in the afternoon I walked onto the river to record this epic event.
Gallery
For more information about a specific painting, please email me.
More Fluids
Bitterly cold. Nothing is as perfect as that cup of Earl Grey tea when it is 21 degrees outside and one has just walked around the Point.
Staying Warm - Tea and Coffee Sampler
Trying to stay warm and healthy by drinking lots of hot fluids and taking my vitamin C. Also a very fun way of playing with all the new and beautiful Daniel Smith watercolors I got for Christmas. Thank you, Paul.
Charcoal and Chalk landscape
Still working with charcoal and chalk. Here is a snowy landscape based on a photo I took years ago in Hakone. I mistakenly thought it was Kamakura but Kyoko identified as Hakone beyond a doubt. Thank You, Kyoko. Steps leading upto a Shinto Shrine. Charcoal, white chalk and acrylic ink for a little definition.
Anything liquid, fragile, perishable or dangerous?
The post office was very reluctant to accept the snake parcels but luckily Lancelot had had the forethought to pre purchase return shipping labels
The Flu Strikes - Sick as a Dog.
Poor Wilfred succumbs to the flu. Feverish and covered with spots, poor Wilfred takes to his blanket.
A Determined Woodpecker
More charcoal, in this case a determined woodpecker approaches a likely looking tree. Hoping for breakfast.
A Very Cold Charcoal and Chalk scene
In almost all of the snow has completely melted and we are in the midst of a temporary thaw. But since we are doing charcoal in class. A quick landscape study in moderation before we get really dark and dusty.....
Rather less charming
Lancelot was just in time to catch one of the 2013 snakes trying to digest both of the new squirrel interns, along with Wilfred's barkberry, sundry items of office equipment and Agile's favorite hat. Getting the snake's stomach pumped was an expensive ordeal. Lancelot has now decided that the Néw Year's celebrations are officially over and it is time to get back to work. Thank Goodness the squirrels were shaken but not stirred and were rescued just in time.
Snake Charming
The 2013 Snakes were charmed by Agile's sensitive playing.......
The River Begins to Freeze.
Some Winters the Mianus never freezes at all. This year the freeze began at the very end of the year and by the 2nd the ice patches were gradually joining and solidifying. Today the River is truly frozen, a dull metal in the low winter sun. Too thin still for skating or fishing but who knows....