#0617 "Last Drift"

#0617 "Last Drift"
Masonite Panel 11 x 14 inches.
Started Monday, March 24th, 2003.

I had some time on the waning days of the winter, so the family Chesapeake and I headed south to the neighbour's fence line. The shadows across the melting snow in the deep drift to the north of the fence line were very strong and caught my eye. It was a beautiful day, and the warmth of the sun was amazing.

My painting companion busied herself digging through the grasses and chewing on sticks. There was also the green tennis ball that required retrieving. She never stopped. 

My honey bees were flying due to the spring warmth. One bee actually went down my jacket. I rescued her without mishap to either of us. The male drones would still have been in the hives so it had to be a female worker out foraging. Some bees even landed on the bright colours on my palette. 

It was a fun painting to do! The panel had been primed with a medium-light coat of raw sienna. 

I was still using my film camera, but thankfully considered, the moment was special enough to record in silver crystals. Once at a prestigious art gallery, I had an artist challenge me that the paintings I completed on location could not have been done en plein air. Oh my... surrounded by nature is where I find my greatest inspiration and joy.

The cover of a recent book I read (2025) sums up my response nicely... Physicist Richard Feynman was a character and one well worth knowing if only I had the opportunity. 

For this and much more art, click on Pixels or go straight to the Collections. Here is the new Wet Paint Collection. Thank you for reading, and stay well!

Warmest regards, and keep your paddle in the water,

Phil Chadwick