You've Got Mail!

Before there was texts and E-cards, there was snail mail. Remember that? Am I the only one that still has a pen pal, and forces my friends to send me postcards as they travel around the world?? I probably am. Those that know me, probably are not shocked. I live in a nostalgic world. I'd have a horse and buggy if I could, and chickens in the back yard.

Not to say I don't spend a fair amount of time with technology. It's not my best friend, but I have sure embraced it in the form of my camera, my iPhone, and of course the Mac. So I guess I like the best of both worlds.

I'm working on a project I've had in mind for a while, and hopefully some day I will see it through to the end. In the meantime, I have started noticing a little collection within my collection which sparked todays entry. It's cute and quirky, and it speaks to me.

Oh! Gotta run, I think I hear the mailman!!

Golden

Have you seen the new painting that was discovered to be a Van Gogh original? The title is "Sunset at Montmajour" and it was painted in July of 1888. Long thought to be a fake it was stored in an attic (doesn't that seem to always be the case?) and then recently was brought to light and deemed to be an original after all. He (Van Gogh) actually mentioned the painting in a letter (to his brother I believe) and made a point of describing the romantic golden tones the sun had cast on the landscape. I personally love the hues in the painting and think it is a brilliant discovery. Here it is:

                                          photo: Peter Dejong/associated press

About a week ago I decided to go back to one of my regular haunts that I tend to go to when I need a break from the sirens and concrete, and school kids screaming in the school yard. (I am happy, they are outside and not on a computer 24/7, so I do forgive the screaming that comes along with chasing each other in a game of tag.) So armed with my camera, an apple, a notebook and a pen I set off on streetcar 506 to High Park.

It was the last full week of summer, and as I strolled along the tell tale signs of the approaching fall were everywhere. Still a ways away from the scarlet reds, and fiery oranges, there was however a golden hue to everything along with muddy, mossy, olive greens. Grasses were starting to dry up, the lily pads were getting a little mottled, and the acorns were falling. I took quite a few photos, not really with a 'purpose' but since photography is peaceful and enjoyable to me, it comes as a natural part of relaxing and stopping to admire and soak in my surroundings.

I spent about 5 hours in High Park, and at one point sat on a fallen log, ate my apple and pulled out my notebook and pen and started writing down what I was observing through sight, sounds, and smells. I then compiled the observations, and found that I had written something I wanted to share.

Once back home, I started editing the photos and as I did so I found I was highlighting the soft golden and earthy green hues that had pretty much been the palette of the park on that given day. I also fine tuned the notes I had made, and decided to actually put the words on one of the images I had taken that day.

Yesterday I was commenting on Mr. Van Gogh's painting and I suddenly realized that it was the same hues in High Park that I had been drawn too as Van Gogh seemed to be appreciate to

in 1888 when he painted "Sunset at Montmajour".

Hence the reason for this post. So I would like to share with you the words I wrote, and some of the photos I took that day. I'm no poet, and I can't paint, and I'm not a world renowned photographer. But I do share a passion for nature, colour, seasons and wildlife. Enjoy!

Green with Envy..

I am sure you have noticed that in the last few posts I start my entry by showing you some paintings in the colour scheme I have chosen to write about. I will be the first to say I know little about art, or art history and what little I do know is because a majority of my friends have degrees and or careers in the art world. How lucky was I to end up in the retail industry? But I digress..

I think like many artists/photographers their work may be individual or unique but they draw their inspiration from other sources. I love colour, and history and so they both tend to be my sources of inspiration. I am drawn to 19th century art just as much as abstract. It's all about the emotions I connect to the piece. Nostalgia, excitement, melancholy, yearning, happiness....all feelings I get when I am attracted to a work of art.

Green is second only to blue in terms of the most picked 'favorite' colour of people when asked. And generally that is because it has a lot of positive attributes to it. It is considered to be a soothing, and relaxing colour that alleviates depression, nervousness and anxiety. (hmmmm. perhaps I need to paint!) It is a colour that creates a sense of renewal, self control, balance, and harmony. In terms of interior spaces, it is for these reasons that green is often used in bathrooms, and work places.

People who are drawn to the colour are said to be very understanding, self-controlled, adaptable, sympathetic, compassionate, generous, humble, romantic...and no surprise here, nature lovers.

At the moment I actually have vases in my apartment filled not with flowers, but florist greens. They add a touch of woodland freshness and work well with my charcoal walls, and other blue green furnishings and photographs I have hanging. I particularly love the look of an all white space whether rustic or contemporary, and then a large art piece with fresh greens.

It makes me green with envy....

Here are some of my favorite green photographs I have taken.

susie

Made a much needed walk to the Brickworks to get my nature fix last weekend. I'm always amazed at how much work is being done at this former industrial site. It has become another great spot for the community, and this day was no exception. It was full of people out to celebrate the opening day celebrations of this new 'park'. One of the things I noticed was the great pieces of floral art that have been attached to the buildings. This shot is a portion of a black eyed susie mounted way up by the roof line. A great piece of art, and appropriate to the area. Well done!!

Green

I have rather enjoyed the January thaw we have been experiencing. Temperatures above zero is always a nice treat this time of year. That said, the days have been a little grey, even for me who happens to love that colour. So this shot is just simply about adding a nice shot of a fresh, lush, green Hosta leaf complete with rain drops. It's almost February, so we are heading in the right direction. This shot was actually taken on the grounds of Ryerson University.

Way Up

We all know there is a lot of debate about the lack of green spaces in this city. I once lived in Boston for three months while training for a new job, and it was while there that I realized how vital green spaces are to a city. They force you to slow down, relax, and rejuvenate. There was nothing better then taking a lunch break in a park. All this said, we do have a park that I think is completely undervalued. I discovered High Park a couple of years ago, and it is truly a great place to visit time and time again. I hope as I post pictures from this great space, it encourages you to head on over. In the meantime, we have Dundas Square. ;)