Darkest Before the Dawn: Deeply Stamped

It is always darkest before the dawn. So it seems in this season and quarter of unemployment. This morning, the cobalt blue morning sky carved a quiet, majestic background to the front lit trees. The dawn just peeking on the horizon. The moment and the drama didn't last long. And then it was gone and couldn't be caught again.

Copyright James E. Martin 2015 Glimmer of Dawn

Copyright James E. Martin 2015 Dawn of Cobalt Blue

In my Daily Walk yesterday, I found a used book by Herschel B. Chipp, The Theories of Modern Art: A Source Book by Artists and Critics (1968) by the University of California Press, Berkeley. Lots of great quotations and excerpts within. As I scan the pages and voluminous entries, I note the following under the Fauvism and Expressionism chapter:

"All artists bear the imprint of their time....

but the great artists are those 

in which the stamp is most deeply impressed." 

Henry Matisse

Separately, others have indicated the phrases

 "paint what you know"

 "paint what you see"  

"paint what you love"

"paint what you feel"

as the drivers for genuine and sincere art that has depth and feeling with the potential for lasting value. I am unsure who said these things first. Sounds like they have been passed down through the academic art ages.

I have been in the press between the plates as it bears down on me.

I spent some moments listing subject matters that mean something to me, that I have lived, that I know, that are of my life and times, that have affected me, and influenced those around me. Also, there are genres, and methods, and motifs, and values, and subjects that I have thought about and labored upon. Objects that attract me.

These should be the target of my focus, the aim of my energies. I think I know where I should start. This is the oil from the press. This is the wine. This is the vintage.

1957.

31 Days Until Spring: I Can't Wait

31 days until spring. According to the local newscasters. The days are getting longer. Which is good because I need more time to get things done! But with all this snow, I would expect the spring refreshers to result in lots of water runoff. It could get squishy. Another small window of storm relief today, so I took some sunny morning photos of the property that only portend of the spring season and ensuing chores.

Abstract arrangements of fall leaves that blew in from somewhere I know not where. Will need cleanup and raking and chopping and mulching into the garden.

Copyright James E. Martin 2015 Fall Detritus 01

Copyright James E. Martin 2015 Fall Detritus 02

The playhouse is always good for a shot or two no matter what the weather or clime. Lots of flower bulbs and beds to rake and clean so the springtime color will pop. My in-laws in South Carolina say their daffodils are poking through the ground and three inches up. Boo-hoo.

Copyright James E. Martin 2015 Cedar at the Playhouse

The blackberry hedge will need trimming and trussing come springtime with clippings into the bonfire.

Copyright James E. Martin 2015 Blackberry Hedge

The abstract rose branches against the gallery arbor will require trimming and re-tying in the spring. This is the hardiest of all the roses and was original to the farm property, having been nestled into an old stone wall, dug out, and relocated twice to its resting location against the garage-studio. Let's hope it makes it through this winter freeze as well.

Copyright James E. Martin 2015 Rose Hips

I felt much better getting outside first thing in the morning to snow-blow the very light and fluffy four inches that fell. Fresh air. Sunlight. Activity. I think it helped chase the winter doldrums away today. Gotta keep doing that in some shape or fashion. Got a lot of small but needy things accomplished yesterday just putting one foot in front of the other. I needed that.

Lots to do to start spring cleaning inside while I am waiting for outside to get ready. The early bird gets the worm.

One Day of Relief: Sun Not Snow

We got one day of relief between snow storms. Sun came out. Clear blue sky. A view out the back window through the screen. Drifts in front of the evergreens.

Copyright James E. Martin 2015 Drifts in Front of the Evergreens

My oldest and youngest daughters, Big Bit and Itsy Bit, respectively, decided to make a snow fort in the accumulation. Digging snow paths in the yard. Hot chocolate memories!

Copyright James E. Martin 2015 Hot Chocolate Snow Fort Memories

I was amazed at the intense violet in the snow shadows particularly at the neighbor's house across the street. My Itsy Bit of a Peach in snow regalia at the door requesting hot chocolates to be hand-delivered.

Copyright James E. Martin 2015 Itsy Bit of a Peach

Of course, what would an outdoor adventure be without trying out the swing in the snow accumulation!

Copyright James E. Martin 2015 Snow Swing

Anguilla Island: A Remedy for the Post-Holiday Blues

Aaaah, me! I have been feeling a touch of the blues off and on since the Christmas and New Year's holidays. I am sure the constant snow here in the US Northeast hasn't helped the matter.  Part of my remedy has been to go on early morning web journeys and visit a place I had not been before. A warm tropical location with fruity alcoholic drinks sounded like the refreshment I needed. So I used a variety of keywords in my successive searches to explore the island of Anguilla in the Lesser Antilles island chain in the Caribbean.

My keywords and sub-keyword modifiers included: Anguilla, maps, flag, vintage, art, stamps, spiny lobster, fishing, and boating.I drilled down into the detailed locations on the island to explore the details below.

The Tourist Board is here. Great information on how to get there by boat or air.

A nice flag for a British protectorate.

Internet Fair Use - Flag of Anguilla

I like to start out with maps to gain more specific keywords for places.

A high level map shows where it is in the context of Central America and South America.

Internet Fair Use - Anguilla in the Americas

Anguilla is the northernmost island in what is known as the Lower Antilles islands. East of Puerto Rico and north of Saint Martin island. 

Internet Fair Use - Anguilla in the Caribbean Island Chain

Internet Fair Use - Anguilla Island Key Locations

A decent map of roads and bays to reconnoiter the island. Each of these locations can be used as keywords to investigate images to gain a sense of the island visit.

 Internet Fair Use - Roads and Bays

If I came in at the airport, I would be able to drive down The Valley through Crocus Hill to Crocus Bay on the Atlantic northern side of the island.

Internet Fair Use - Road Down to Crocus Bay

Here is a panoramic view of Crocus Bay with the Crocus Hill residential area reaching down to the beach.

Internet Fair Use - Crocus Bay on Anguilla Island

Working my way around the island in a clockwise direction, I would visit Little Bay. It appears to be one of the more popular sites.

Internet Fair Use - Little Bay Hilltop View

Internet Fair Use - Little Bay Beachside View

Limestone Bay.

Internet Fair Use - Limestone Bay

Internet Fair Use - Cairns at Limestone Bay

Blackgarden Bay.

Internet Fair Use - Blackgarden Bay

Lower Shoal Bay.

Internet Fair Use - Lower Shoal Bay

Upper Shoal Bay.

Internet Fair Use - Upper Shoal Bay

Captains Bay.

Internet Fair Use - Captain's Bay

And visit the northernmost tip of the island at Snake Point. Then work my way southward on the eastern side of the island towards the Caribbean Sea. 

Junk's Hole Bay. I guess folks can ride boat-towed kites and there are cautionary admonitions as we round this side of the island.

Internet Fair Use - Junk Hole Bay

Savannah Bay.

 Internet Fair Use - Savannah Bay

Sile Bay.

  Internet Fair Use - Sile Bay

Mimi's Bay.  Sea Feather Bay. 

Internet Fair Use - Sea Feather Bay Looking South

A boating derelict at rest.

Internet Fair Use - Sea Feather Bay Derelict at Rest

Sandy Hill Bay.

Internet Fair Use - Sandy Hill Bay

Long Pond Bay. Auntie Dol Bay. Forest Bay.

Internet Fair Use - Forest Bay

Corito Bay.

Internet Fair Use - Corito Bay

Elsie Bay. Looking to St. Martins in the distance.

Internet Fair Use - Elsie Bay

Little Harbor. Lockrum Bay. Roundrock Bay.

Internet Fair Use - Roundrock Bay

Pelican Bay. Blowing Point. Rendezvous Bay.

Internet Fair Use - Sunrise in Rendezvous Bay

Merrywing Bay. Cove Bay. Perfect for kite beginners.

Internet Fair Use - Cove Bay

Maunday's Bay. Shoal Bay West. Sherrick's Bay. Rounding at the southernmost tip of Anguilla Island into West End Bay. With cave and cliffs.

Internet Fair Use -  West End Cave

 Internet Fair Use - West End Cliffs

Barnes Bay, Mead's Bay, and Long Bay.

Internet Fair Use - Long Bay, Mead's Bay, Barne's Bay

Road Bay. With the port of entry for those arriving by boat.

Internet Fair Use - Road Bay

Sandy Island is off the Road Bay.

Internet Fair Use -  Sandy Island Cay

Benzie's Bay. And Katouche Bay.

Internet Fair Use - Katouche Bay

Lots of warm, soothing images. Great beaches of all sorts. A roomy hammock with tropical sea breezes would be nice. Fruity alcoholic drinks beachside. A nap. Or two. Or three.

Internet Fair Use - Anguilla Hammock

I would take some time to seek out and paint the beach trees. In fact, the photo below makes me think of a previous painting, On the Beach (2011), using the methods of Pisarro, from days gone by.

Internet Fair Use - Painting the Beach Trees.

There might be lots of sea fare suitable for eating and cooking and painting. I would look for local color. A pile of conch shells for inspiration.

Internet Fair Use -  Pile of Conch Shells

Locals catching the spiny lobster.

Internet Fair Use - Serving Up a Spiny Lobster

Getting the lobster on the half shell steamed plate.

Internet Fair Use - Spiny Lobster on the Half Shell

Diving to see the wonders beneath like the spotted eagle ray.

Internet Fair Use - Spotted Eagle Ray

Some of the locals catch them.

Internet Fair Use - Spotted Eagle Ray on Board

And prepare them for the beach grill.

Internet Fair Use - Spotted Eagle Ray Grill Ready

Internet Fair Use - Spotted Eagle Ray for Beach Grill

But there are many other marvels to portray local color. Flora includes the viceroy tree.

 Internet Fair Use - The Viceroy Tree

A Pope Cactus.

 Internet Fair Use - A Pope Cactus

Milkweed.

Internet Fair Use - Anguilla Milkweed

Beach cactus. 

Internet Fair Use - Beach Cactus

Railroad Vine.

Internet Fair Use - Railroad Vine

Bougainvillia.

Internet Fair Use - Bougainvillia

And Yellow Dodder.

Internet Fair Use - Yellow Dodder

I suppose there are some touristy things to do. That with the right pictures could be artistic endeavors and creative pursuits. Like boating.

Internet Fair Use - Anguilla Boats

Looking for unique perspectives.

Internet Fair Use - Unique Perspectives

Watching the locals. For motifs worthy of painting.

Internet Fair Use - Motifs Worthy of Painting

Watch the August summer festival with the Parade of Troupes.

Internet Fair Use - Anguilla Parade of Troupes in August Summer Festival

Snorkeling.

Internet Fair Use - Snorkeling Equipment

Sightseeing. For suitable motifs to tell a story. Or depict an historical moment.

Internet Fair Use - Seeking Suitable Painting Motifs

Seeking sun and better tan lines.

Internet Fair Use - Seeking Peaceful Sun Worship

Avoiding tropical rain showers.

Internet Fair Use - Avoiding Tropical Showers

Sailing model vessels.

Internet Fair Use - Model Sailing

Painting unique structures.

Internet Fair Use - Painting Motifs

Eating at local grills. Listening to reggae music. 

Internet Fair Use - Reggae Grills

 Dozing off in a floatie with a cool drink.

Internet Fair Use - Relaxing on a Floatie

Watching the world go by. Slowly.

Internet Fair Use - Watching the World Go By

Watching the tide come in. And go out. Again and again.

Internet Fair Use - Tidal Interface

Seek out local artists and galleries.

Internet Fair Use - Anguilla Art

Internet Fair Use - Anguilla Artist Denotes Dominos as a Pastime

Internet Fair Use - Anguilla Artist Denotes Dominos as a Pastime

Identify examples of local architecture. 

Internet Fair Use - Churches as Local Architecture

Internet Fair Use - Beach Villas as Local Architecture

Walk the beach to find shells or stones.

Internet Fair Use - Shells and Stones on the Beach

Internet Fair Use - Peach Boat Under a Tamarind Tree

Internet Fair Use - Day is Done Lights at Eveningside

And lastly, I guess Anguilla island rum punches should have a pinch of nutmeg and amaretto. Can I beat the winter blues with an Internet collage of images and a stream of consciousness? By closing my eyes? And adding a touch of nutmeg and amaretto to my tropical rum punch? I hope so.

Since my favorite drink has been a rum punch aka a "Summer Fling", I will modify my core recipe a tad with the recommended nutmeg and amaretto as my remedy for the mid-winter blues to salute Anguilla Island!

Internet Fair Use - Anguilla Island Rum Punch

Anguilla Island Summer Fling

2 oz cranberry juice

2 oz pineapple juice

2 oz Bacardi Grand Melon rum

1 oz triple sec
1 - 4 maraschino cherries, with juice, to taste
Splash of black cherry juice (optional)
1 oz coconut rum (optional)
1 oz banana rum(optional)

1 oz amaretto

2 pinches of nutmeg
Serve over ice.

Oh, joy! Makes me want to paint the beaches and the people fantastic!

Note: Thanks to all the sites and folks that contributed images to this collation for my mid-winter escape. Credit is attributed, when possible. I am much better now, thank you. And I can visit the trip again!