Straddle the Turtle

Newsletter: If Winter comes…

12.19.2022 by Barbara Grant //

Season’s Greetings from Grantview Studio!

Last week we experienced the first blanket of snow in our neighborhood. The first is always enchanting as we look out the windows from our cozy home. But soon the novelty wears thin as driveways need to be plowed, walkways shoveled, and slick pavement can be treacherous!

I don’t mind the winter months. They allow me to hunker down and get more work accomplished in my studio. My husband is the opposite; Bob can’t wait for Winter Solstice to arrive, as the waning of daylight hours ends and days begin to grow longer again. He thrives on the warmth of sunlight.

In other writings I have mentioned that my mother suffered from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). I remember visiting her one winter when she was quite gloomy. It was Bob who lifted her spirits by showing her the calendar. It was just a few days before December 21st. He reminded her that as soon as we pass that marker, there would be more light each day until Spring arrives. It was with this precious memory in mind that I created our Holiday Greeting card this year.

The phrase “If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?” had been running through my mind lately. I couldn’t remember where I’d read it, so I researched and found that it is the final line of Percy Bysshe Shelley’s “Ode to the West Wind”. I use symbolism in my artwork, so I began to imagine a way to convey the hope and optimism of his poem.

After the leaves fall, berries remain to nourish the animals and birds who stay through the winter. There are lots of winter scenes depicting birds perched on snow-laced branches with berries, and I wanted to do my version of this.

Towards the end of a long winter, when I spot a robin, I sense the coming of Spring. In my research I was amused to read that robins can get tipsy on berries and crabapples that have fermented after a frost.

painting of robin on a branch with berries, blue sky and Chinese Lantern plants in the snow below

Also, Chinese Lanterns are an unusual addition for a winter holiday scene, but when I was walking Roxy & Ringo one day I admired these bright orange, bell-shaped husks growing near the edge of someone’s property. In fact, that lovely neighbor insisted I take some home to plant the seeds. I incorporated these decorative plants into the painting because the color of the robin’s breast combines the red berries and orange Lanterns. And the Lanterns represent a way to shine light.

The work on this holiday card began as a watercolor, but as I tried to make the robin’s breast just the right color of red/orange, I overworked the layers of paint. Watercolor is a tricky medium. And then there was the problem of adding white for snow – a BIG “no-no” in the world of purists. I am not a watercolor purist, but I have friends who are; they tell me white areas for them can only be the color of the paper. This means you really need to plan ahead, which I did not in this case.

To solve these problems I gathered my tubes of gauche “design colors”. What began as a delicate transparent rendering, became a formation of opaque layers. But I enjoyed this process so much that I’ve decided to try it on a study for “Children Climbing a Tree” – a painting still in the planning stages. Thankfully the patron who commissioned this piece is not in a rush and has left me free to decide on any medium I want. I’m excited to try this!

The novel Testimony by Paul Turelli has been recently published. I created the cover with the author’s guidance earlier this year. He had a specific look in mind for this book – super fun to do!

Paul has commissioned me for the cover of his next novel, The Magdalene House. I’ve begun reading the manuscript and am really looking forward to this project!

The Story of Straddle the Turtle by Barbara Grant as a zine

I did a little self-publishing of my own by illustrating and setting my “Straddle the Turtle” story in zine form, which is available on my shop site. I love making zines! The text and drawings are in the works for my next one entitled Deep Down in my soul #3: I Desire a Simple Life.

I also love making bookmarks. It’s a great way to use up scraps of expensive watercolor paper. Like my notecards, they are helpful as “warm-up exercises” to test color combinations, brush techniques and unique designs. I’m planning to add a variety of them to my shop soon.

hand-painted bookmarks with tied ribbons

One final story from me: I have a friend living near Seattle who I’ve known since we were teenagers. I can count on one hand how many times we’ve seen each other in person since she moved to Washington, but we stay connected via phone, text, birthday cards, etc. The first time I received a hand-painted postcard from her, I laughed with delight! Sent without the protection of an envelope, her charming watercolor was exposed to the possibility of being sullied by transport through snail mail all the way to Wisconsin.

original watercolor postcards, front & back

I loved the fact that her artistic expression was sent with such abandon, not deeming her artwork so precious that its loss or ruin would be the end of the world! I learned from this unassuming action of hers. It’s a lesson in being less anxious and more playful. I’ve been sending them to her now, too.

It’s kind of thrilling to wonder if it will make it or not…

News & photos from Bob:

My sailing on Lake Michigan ended mid-October but boating continued on a late-October visit to my son Bob’s new lake home on Lake Norman, North Carolina.

I’m hoping to get back to golfing again after successful hand surgery. First attempts began in November where my son, Scott, installed a big screen golf simulator system in his garage on Whitewater Lake, Wisconsin. Winter golfing in Wisconsin!

I still enjoy my contract photography work for a Regional Insurance Company. Included here are some early winter scenes that grabbed my attention during a work day.

cow laying in snow looking at camera man — You lookin’ at me?

photo of sheep huddled together near a fence — You lookin’ at me?

Let’s get past Winter Solstice and start the countdown to Summer Solstice!

A day in the lives of Roxy & Ringo

Roxy and Ringo love their groomer, Amy. She gives them lots of tasty treats so they will cooperate as she shampoos, shaves, clips, and otherwise makes them feel soft and fluffy again. But they’d really rather not “go there”. How they know when I am about to take them, I’m not sure. But they won’t budge no matter how cheerful I make this outing sound. However…

It’s amazing what treats can do.

two dogs waiting with master near pantry where treats are kept — Pantry where treats are kept

Ringo, Bob with treats, Roxy — Pantry where treats are kept

Thank you for your continued interest in our Grantview Studio family,

Barb, Bob, Roxy & Ringo

🙏

Happy Holidays! dogs with toys under the table

Annotation:

To read the full poem Ode to the West Wind: PoetryFoundation.org
S.A.D. (Seasonal Affective Disorder): MayoClinic.org
Winter Solstice: Wikipedia.org
The novel Testimony: Paul Turelli.com
My Etsy Shop & GrantviewStudio.com (same shop, two entrances)

The shape of a tree

11.14.2022 by Barbara Grant //

It has been a beautiful autumn in the Midwest. I didn’t want to miss out on any of it as we drove to spend a few days with family in North Carolina, but our timing was right; we travelled through hills and mountains of delightful color along the way.

photo of back of truck driving on highway in ‎⁨Pisgah National Forest⁩, ⁨Clyde⁩, ⁨Tennessee Valley⁩, ⁨United States⁩ — ‎⁨Pisgah National Forest⁩, ⁨Clyde⁩, ⁨Tennessee Valley⁩, ⁨United States⁩

Many of my friends say this is their favorite time of year. My mother loved the fall colors but what followed – the gray and brown shades of November – began her descent into an annual bout of Seasonal Affective Disorder. *

I feel fortunate that I don’t mind winter in Wisconsin. To me it is a productive time to hunker down in my studio without the distractions of pleasant weather and lots of fun things to do outside. You just have to put on more clothing! Since I’m outside to walk my dogs daily, I have an ample collection of coats, hats, gloves, scarves and boots. While Roxy & Ringo sniff and explore, I am able to observe the changes in our neighborhood.

This time of year what I really enjoy are the shapes of trees. The leaves have dropped to reveal the contours of their branches and crowns. It makes me want to photograph them! Draw them! Draw them with crows and vultures…or abandoned nests of twigs. They light up my imagination with ideas. Mostly I just admire them for their beauty.

photo of tall tree with no leaves — Elm tree at ‎⁨Lynden Sculpture Garden⁩, ⁨River Hills⁩, ⁨Wisconsin⁩

I remember standing in the middle of my childhood living room practicing the memorization of the poem I was to recite in front of my class the next day! Recently I reminded my sister of this and she was able to proudly spout the whole thing from memory:

Trees

by Joyce Kilmer

I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth’s sweet flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in Summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.

(Poetry Foundation.org)

photo of dogs looking out the back of the Subaru — Ringo & Roxy looking out the back of the Subaru

*(Seasonal Affective Disorder)

Newsletter: Wrapping Up a Fun Summer

08.19.2022 by Barbara Grant //

I advertise that these newsletters are sent with the change of the seasons, but oops, we missed Spring! Along with a beautiful bouquet of 🌷🌷tulips🌷🌷 Bob gave me Covid for Mothers Day. He was back on his feet quicker than I thanks to a VA infusion, but all is well. I share this here in case anyone reading this wonders, like I did, about lingering symptoms. When I recently had my routine physical, my doctor assured me I was on track to getting back to normal; she told me that some bounce back in a couple weeks, but for others it can take up to six months. So if you’re one of those, hang in there ~ ~ ~

Though I’ve been slowed down, I have continued to be productive in between naps on the couch:

I participated with The Oddball Artists in the Prairie Art Center exhibit in February. Since the pieces were quite small I was able to contribute 5 paintings and meet the deadline with a little help from my friends. One of the guys in our group is a framer; he gives us tiny frames he constructs from scraps that the frame shop can’t use. Bruce creates perfectly square miters. I love that he wants to save this splendid framing from the dumpster. I’m able to pass this recycled savings on to my collectors!

back of painting — Rusty Lasso at His Peak

Above is one of my favorites included in the exhibit, entitled Rusty Lasso at His Peak. The inspiration came from a twisted piece of rusty wire found while on a walk with Roxy & Ringo. I’m showing the back side also, because it makes me smile. Thankfully a friend with a similar sense of humor noticed it for sale on my Etsy shop and scooped it up. It makes Karen laugh, and this brings me joy!

painting of sunrise at end of middle of road

In contrast, I finished a larger oil painting (30″ x 40″) for a friend referencing a photo she took alongside a country road. The weird thing is she didn’t realize till later that she’d caught some geese flying through the sky! Her boyfriend gave it the title, Last Resort Sunrise. Long story . . .

back spine and front cover of book Visions of Recurrence by Paul Turelli

I created my fourth book cover for Colorado author & artist Paul Turelli. Visions of Recurrence became available this spring. Fourth in the Series of Dreams: Danny and Jennifer are now in mid-life and the story shifts to their teenage twins, Julian and Stephanie. James, their dear friend, mentor, shaman and spiritual guide, brings the family to a new realization about destiny and choice. The following link provides more information if you are interested in exploring this series: Visions of Recurrence on Amazon.com

I’ve started some sketches for my next commission of “Kids Climbing a Tree.” Here’s one scribbled while waiting in the doctor’s office. It’s on my mind… Looking forward to this project! 🙃🍃🍎🍂😉🍁

What is left of my “Money Bags” collection is currently on display in my daughter’s awesome shop in Geneva, Illinois. Bell Jar Vintage is the perfect venue for these quilted artworks. Thank you, Dori! 🥰

Display of Money Bags in antique shop — **Bell Jar Vintage**

My previous blog is entitled: The Reverence of Poise. It’s about slowing down, not rushing, having composure. I’ve illustrated it with a watercolor painting entitled “Pondering Tea”. This little painting is part of a project I’ve been doing recently. I’ve been painting on watercolor card stock as warm-up exercises; a way to test various color combinations, designs and motifs. They have matching envelopes, so if they turn out nice, I send them to family and friends or add them to my Etsy shop. I’ve been having lots of fun with these simple, functional creations.

Maybe that is the key – they are functional; they can be a vehicle of communication, a way to connect with people. Using a pen or pencil, loosening up stiff knuckles to write a little note, looking up a street address, purchasing a stamp, and hey! a chance to use those free address labels that come in the mail 🙂 And on the other end…somebody gets a surprise in their mailbox!!! Calming down now to ponder another cup of tea:

watercolor painting of teacup — “Pondering Tea”

Bob continues to enjoy his contract photography work for a rural Insurance Company. He’s often surprised at what he’ll stumble upon, such as a traveling Farrier using her rasp file to trim this mare’s hooves, or a deer head in a basketball hoop. Think Milwaukee bucks slogan FEAR THE DEER!

But equally interesting are these visitors that have graced our backyard this year. A neighborhood coyote. A deer apparently struck by a car. Right rear leg is broken. A friendly deer allowing Bob to approach within 4 feet of her.

A Blue Heron we’ve nicknamed Alex has visited our yard on multiple days recently. He has taken a fancy to our lawn ornament, a blue heron that moves with breezes. Daring to come inside the fence, he may be getting frisky. Alex came back another day stalking for dinner. This is his “Catch-of-the-day.

These creatures may appear to be lounging under the kitchen table, but let me assure you their senses are perked up and on the look-out for any wildlife lurking in the back yard!

Dang, they were both looking right at me but – you know… squirrel! 🙄

p.s. Can’t end a newsletter without adding the most meaningful book I’ve read recently. That would be a gift from my friend Toodie. We are both big fans of The OverStory by Richard Powers. His latest novel is Bewilderment. So good.

The shape of a tree

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