Light and Shadow

As I walked through the forest the other day I was delighted at the sight of a large colourful fungus. Unfortunately I did not have my camera with me, so I went back later and took a few pictures. As the summer slowly wanes I have been aware of the change in the light. So as I walked in the forest I recorded the patterns of light and shadow that I saw around me and was reminded of the proverb "Every light has its shadow".

 

I know it is difficult to get an idea of the size of this fungus from this picture but you will have to take my word for it being about a foot and a half across (45 cm) and more than a foot deep and high (30 cm); a very impressive specimen so I hope you will forgive the number of pictures I have included.

 

 

 

I decided to see what others had to say about light and shadow and found some interesting quotes:

"Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player, that struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more; it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing." William Shakespeare

 

"I don't need a friend who changes when I change and who nods when I nod; my shadow does that much better."
Plutarch

 

"False friends are like our shadow, keeping close to us while we walk in the sunshine, but leaving us the instant we cross into the shade."
Christian Nestell Bovee

 

 

 

"The present is the ever moving shadow that divides yesterday from tomorrow. In that lies hope."
Frank Lloyd Wright

"Friendship is the shadow of the evening, which increases with the setting sun of life."
Jean de La Fontaine

 

 

"Who never doubted, never half believed. Where doubt is, there truth is - it is her shadow. "
Ambrose Bierce

 

"Shadow is a colour as light is, but less brilliant; light and shadow are only the relation of two tones."
Paul Cezanne

 

"Without black, no color has any depth. But if you mix black with everything, suddenly there's shadow - no, not just shadow, but fullness. You've got to be willing to mix black into your palette if you want to create something that's real."
Amy Grant 
 

Shadow in art or painting is what gives shape and substance to a work, without shadow there is no depth. In fact, I might ask, what came first the light or the shadow, because surely there is not one without the other.

I am still very busy painting and framing for my art show, only another couple of weeks of this furious activity, then I hope to get back to a more normal routine.

Here is a watercolour that I have finished recently called "Light and Shadow". It is inspired by a fountain that I saw and photographed while in Europe.

Thank you for your visit, I really appreciate your interest in my little corner of the world.

Happy Whimsy Wednesday, until next time ...........

 

Oh ... doe, ray, me

First I would like to apologize, I have not been doing much blog visiting recently because I have been painting. I have a solo show and a group show coming up in September and have been rather busy getting ready for them.

Today, I have a few more pictures to share with you from our trips to the Gulf Islands and the Okanagan.

Doe, a deer, a female deer (with fawns of course).

First more pictures of deer from our visit with friends on the Gulf Islands. We were sitting outside talking to our friends when a doe and her two fawns appeared; they slowly worked their way around the house as they grazed on salal and other bushes. They were cautious at first but seemed to realize that we were not a threat.

The deer on the Gulf Islands are black tail deer. They appear smaller than the deer on the mainland, perhaps because of their long isolation on the islands. 

The deer population  on the islands has grown; there are few predators and hunting is not permitted.
Some biologists think that the deer populations on the Gulf Islands have increased to the point where they now threaten the delicate ecosystem. This review looks at the situation and recommends looking at ways of controlling the deer population. (News link) Island residents say that the deer no longer shy away from contact with people and there are some reports of aggressive behavior by deer.

All very controversial I am afraid; all I know is that they are handsome beasts and caused no trouble during our visit.

Ray, a drop of golden sun.

Actually a perfect day, the sun shone brightly, the temperature was perfect for a walk. This bee was busy on the thistles.

 The petunias and lobelia were at a small nursery on the island. The orange flower was wild at the side of the road, sorry can't remember what it's called.

A pillow of thistle down:

These ponies were taking advantage of the shade along side the road, or maybe the grass is just greener on the other side of the fence.

 We walked through a meadow and them up this pathway into the sunshine.

In the meadow we found this skeleton, of a small deer I think, that had been bleached by the sun.

Salal berries

Me, well....

While we were visiting in the South Okanagan we visited a winery that had pygmy goats. I got some good pictures of them, but my friend Judy got these pictures of me. This little white goat loved having his head scratched.

In fact he also liked to chew, on my shirt, on my blouse and my camera strap. Below I have just noticed that someone is taking my picture.

This goat is fully grown, but as you can see he is not very big, but very cute.

Afterwards he reached up and licked my face.

I was telling you at the beginning that I had been busy painting this week. I finished this watercolour painting, inspired by one of the pictures I took on our recent trip to France. It is another poured painting.

It is 12.5" X 18.5", which is larger than I can scan, so I have taken a picture of it; not a great photograph I'm afraid, and not quite straight either, but I hope you get the idea. I think I might call it "Window on the World".

Well that is all for this week, thank you for stopping by, hope you enjoyed your visit.

Happy Whimsy Wednesday, until next week ..............