The weather has finally turned around on Paros, at least it seems that way for the next few days. Last week it was brutal and maritime with Force 8-9 winds at night and rain most of the 24 around the dark. That lasted three days but yesterday the wind shifted and blew the clouds and rain south and began to dry the world. In the sun it is warm and comforting, but step into the shade and the coolness returns to still chilled bones quicker than you can say ‘parakalo’. I am looking forward to the hike tomorrow into the hills surrounding this small piece of vegetation covered marble floating in the wine dark sea. I need to clear my head. Two years of feelings cannot be discounted so easily, but as a friend reminded me,”on to the next hill!” I digress–another story for another time perhaps. Anyway, the walk will do me good.
My painting courses have been a series of remarkable epiphanies. It turns out that I am pretty good at it and have a decent eye for color, tonal values and composition. I have never painted in my life and find I love working with oils. They are forgiving in may ways but not to be taken for granted. The white spirits used to thin them can run against me so I must be stern with the pigments and move them vigorously, not the other way around. I can bully them around and they will behave. So far we are using tonal values of black/white in exercises and today we began to use glazes and scumbling to build up color on that same grey-toned background. Our pallets are limited on purpose so we get used to blending slowly. Yellow Ochre, Burnt Sienna, Ultramarine Blue, Ivory Black and Mars White can be mixed to make myriad shades and colors. One aspect I have discovered is the commonality between painting and photography. Balance and tonal values rule the canvas as they do on the paper.
Tonight is Pub Quiz at Mikro Cafe here in Parokia. My team, J.A.G., has won the quiz in the past two weeks. If we win tonight that will be a hat trick. I have joked about retiring from the quiz if that happens. It’s just a joke. I have no intention of retiring. It is one of my ways to blow of steam. That and the hike…
More to come…
JDCM
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