Exuma , July 2014

I recently returned from another great visit to Exuma.
Always sunny, hot, relaxing and this time a very calming trip, so needed.

After a long winter/spring of working round the clock, it was nice to have time for myself, to do the things I love to do most.     Paint, relax, slowdown and enjoy the beauty of life around me.

I am always so grateful, to be able to sit and paint, get lost in the scenery of blues, filling up the blank space on my paper with watercolours.

This painting of the Atlantic side of Stocking Island was a challenge with the wind constantly moving the clouds around, my brush trying to keep up with the swirling clouds.

I haven't written much on my blog, just so busy working trying to keep up with things this year.

Hopefully I have more time to work on my blog this year, to paint to keep the creative energy going.

Joanne

A summer filled with painting

I've done a lot of painting this summer, more than usual, and I  think its important to keep it going while I can.     Any creative person knows that you go through dry spells, blocks where you just don't have the time or energy or for whatever reason your heart just isn't in it.

I paint what I feel like painting, whether its tropical scenes of Exuma, local scenes outside if the weather is nice in Steveston, or abstract paintings just to take a break from the realism.

I like the challenge of commissioned work, it forces me to push myself a little harder knowing someone else has expectations of what they want the finished piece to look like.  

Its expensive to paint though, tubes of watercolour paint for each painting may be 50 dollars, more or less depending on the size of the piece.     Brushes if you look after them really well, can last for years, but eventually they do wear out and the bristles dwindle away.

I am running out of room for my drying paintings though and my next purchase will be a drying rack, where I can let the pieces dry without damage.    I guess most Artists dream of that perfect studio, where they can leave paper, canvas, and brushes set up and ready to go at any time.     But I think most Artists aren't that lucky and find there own spots at home, where they hope no one will move or touch anything in progress.    

A recent abstract painting of a dancer, dancing away from someone, something.

Joanne

Early morning walks at Hoopers Bay Beach

My morning walks along Hoopers Bay Beach was one of my favorite things to do on my latest visit to Exuma.    It was the perfect way to start the day, the endless blues giving me the creative energy to paint with a free and open mind.

Free of clutter, free of the unwanted little things that get in the way of happiness.

I think thats one of the benefits of being able to paint or spend hours doing anything creative or physical.    Taking any negativity going on in or around and turn it all into something worth feeling, listening too or viewing.    Staying healthy inside and out :)

Joanne

A hot and sunny June in Exuma

Beauty, freedom, peaceful and intimate, words that come to mind as I sit on the beaches of Exuma, painting.

Looking around I am in awe of the serenity, the quiet colours coming to life in the movement of the waves, the wind blowing the palm leaves and the clouds slowly changing shape with the breeze.

For me, the experience is a private one connecting with the feelings that inspire me to paint the scene with my watercolours on paper.

Before I start though, I set up my bottles of water, my paint tray, my brushes, the colours I will need for the scene and ipod music.

I am shy to show my work as a lot of artists are.   I have the experience and confidence in my skills, but painting outside leaves the finished piece  rougher as I have dealt with the outside elements of nature while painting.

I love it though, its an experience that I find so rewarding, so relaxing.   Besides, the water breaks include a swim in the ocean, a stretch to the sun to relieve sore muscles of sitting and concentrating for a couple of hours.     I usually do one painting a day on the beach and save energy for the days to come and new areas to visit and paint.    

This trip has also given me new beaches to explore while staying at a different place for my 2 weeks.
I have enjoyed walking the area daily early in the morning, walking along the rough gravel roads leading to the beaches of Hoopers Bay Exuma.     

Tomorrow I head to Chat N Chill to paint, my supplies already packed in my beach bag.
Stay tuned for new photos in a couple of weeks in my gallery.
Also, if you are a facebook user please check out and like Joanne Rienstra's Paintings, my facebook page.

Joanne

Spring Painting

Painting in the spring with the warmth of the sun on my shoulders gives me creative energy.    Its been a busy winter and I haven't had the time or energy to really do a good painting from start to finish, but finally had a few days to do that.   Pictures to be posted soon!

I just finished a couple of abstracts and a painting of one of my favorite walking spots in Exuma.    It's fun to be able to sit for hours and create, to express my thoughts with the movement of line and colour.     The only reason for stopping is to sleep.    I love it when I can't wait to get up in the morning and continue on where I left off, along with a fresh perspective on how the piece is coming along.    Sometimes the painting looks better than I expected after an intense few hours of closely working on it the night before.

Soon I will be able to paint outside again, at one of Stevestons local beaches and boardwalk areas.    I will get up early in the morning and start before it gets busy and by the time I finish the locals will have started their walks around the beach areas.    But it is still a bit cool and damp and other work is taking up my morning hours so I have to be patient.

I find it is a bit more expensive painting outside, I use more paint straight from the tube out of convenience and I have to make sure every stroke counts just a bit more.

I also have to conserve for a painting trip coming up to the Bahamas.    I am hoping to explore a few new areas this time, get some new subject matter with a different viewpoint.    But always the same gentle shades of blue and green with the bright colour of flowers to add some interest.    I can't wait!

Joanne

A Sunny Frosty Morning in Steveston B.C.

I couldn't resist this sunny morning, to get out early and photograph the beautiful mountains, ships and reflections of the scenery in the calm waters of Steveston B.C.    The fishermen were out early too, as usual standing on the docks and out in their boats hoping for a good catch of the day.
It was so peaceful, frosty and cool, but the perfect way to start my day off from other jobs.
After downloading my photos, I found it too hard to decide which one to paint first, so will work on a series of smaller paintings about 6"x12" , maybe use them for one of our local art shows in the Spring.
I've been working for an hour on my first painting, and its about 1/3 done, but its important to step back take breaks and give the paint a chance to settle and dry.   The painting process, getting the composition laid out and putting in the foundation of the first colours can be so involving and its easy to lose track of time.
It can be too easy to overwork an area too and experience has taught me to slow down and just let some of the colours be the way they are.    Still learning that in everyday life, and remembering "it is what it is", can be easier said than done if you let every little detail get to you.    That was my goal today, just taking in all the colours and natural peace of nature and trying to translate that onto paper with paint.

Joanne

A breezy November visit

Back home in Steveston again, after a beautiful and breezy November visit to Exuma.     But the sometimes cooler morning weather didn't stop me from getting up with the sun and heading off to the beach to paint, in the silence and calm of the morning.    Opening new tubes of paint, using a new detail brush helped me to create a few new paintings on my favorite beaches.   

I had a wonderful time sitting on the stone wall at Three Sisters Beach capturing the 3 sisters rocks hoping I would finish before any rain started.    Luckily it never did rain and I spent 2 hours and finished up with a painting I really liked.    The Exuma Palms Hotel, justs steps away was a nice retreat where I had a glass of wine with my new photographer friend.     So nice to meet a another talented creative soul.    There's a feeling of TLC at the Exuma Palms that shows in the hard work of the talented Manager, new to the island.
And I hear he is a fantastic chef too!     I just cant imagine how anyone could resist staying there and waking up to the sound of the waves of the beach.    Then having one of the Managers coffees and sitting out on the patio with nothing to do but breathe, really, what more could anyone looking to get away from it all ask for.

I had several visits to Chat 'N Chill on Stocking Island and tried to complete a painting of the bench by the tree at the tip of the bay.    I think I had too many distractions but did enjoy chatting with some really interesting and new friends, so it was still time well spent.

It was extra quiet on the island and not everything had reopened for the busy tourist season coming up, but that was just perfect for me.    Just exactly what I wanted.

My head is still floating in that "zone" of being away, still clinging to the sensation of sand beneath my feet, the sun warming my shoulders and hugs of a long distance friend.    But I never completely unpack my suitcase, why bother, I know I will be back.

Joanne