I just finished several bird drawings am feeling the urge to pick up my paint brushes again. I have a painting of a snowy scene on my easel but after this past few weeks I can't bear to look at it anymore. February! I think I'm done with you!
The salt marshes of Port Joli, Nova Scotia have been on my painting to do list for a few years now. It's an incredibly special place with its estuary, lagoons, salt marshes and tidal flats that provide a stunning home to a migratory bird sanctuary for thousands of migratory birds who vacation in Nova Scotia. I took this photo this past October on my way to visit the Kejimkujik National Park Seaside. I still remember the beautiful light that day. Let's see if I can capture just a fraction of the magic of one of my favourite places in a painting.
I did take some artistic license with my photos and created a composite of several of my images to use as a reference for my painting. This is all part of my process as a painter/photographer. Photos are a way to capture a brief snippet of time in a place but can't possibly capture, the smell of the salt water, the pine trees in the wind and the sound of the waves. There is no way to capture what it's like to actually be present in this place. That's why I work with the colours and light in my photos, to help describe what I've witnessed. That's also why I paint. To add another dimension to my memories and use them as a way to share my experiences with you. I really do have to try painting on location one of these days.
As an artist living in Nova Scotia, I feel compelled to share the magic of this place. I just can't help it. Now, I'm curious about how many artists per capita we have in Nova Scotia. A good number, I'm sure. Tell me if you know!
If you've never been to Port Joli or Keji Seaside, it's more than worth a visit. Here's a little info for you.
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