I'm desperate for some color, so I'm working on a few rapid views of Quebec in the summer. This is a road in the small village in the Charlevoix where we've stayed twice. What caught my eye was this line of poplars. It's a typical sight in Quebec, and must have been ever since the first French settlers planted trees, since these are certainly not native to the boreal forest! In the countryside, particularly, you'll see tall poplars planted singly or in formal rows near farm houses or in the villages, and sometimes just along the road. The trees are lovely but they struggle a lot in the harsh climate, often growing spindly and thin with age, or even dying off, but I do love seeing them. The're one of the first features of Quebec that I noticed when we began coming up here from Vermont; cross the border, and there they are.
Eventually there will be a print, but right now I'm just studying the shapes and possible compositions, and enjoying working in color. It's therapy; I'm at a bit of a low point dealing with the weather and feeling trapped by winter, with so much of it yet to come!
Oh, Beth, these are glorious. I'm feeling color-starved, too; I could spend all evening just gazing at this green!
Posted by: Rachel Barenblat | February 07, 2013 at 07:10 PM
I've known these as "Lombardy" poplars for years, but it seems that there are a number of sub-species and clones of black poplar have this look. A very pretty picture.
Posted by: mike | February 07, 2013 at 09:44 PM
Mike, the botanical garden here has a whole section of poplars. I don't remember many of them growing in central New York at all. In the park near our apartment, there are huge poplars - not thin like these, but really massive trees, way bigger than I can put my arms around. I should look them up and learn who's who. Thanks, glad you like the picture. (Too pretty, perhaps; I like how the scene becomes more abstract, and te essential structure more apparent, as you zoom in.)
Posted by: Beth | February 08, 2013 at 12:03 PM
One really gets a good feel for that downhill drop to the right. We cyclists live for sights like this.
Posted by: mike | February 08, 2013 at 11:58 PM
The days are getting longer, dear. The light is turning even though it feels so much like winter still. Beautiful colour in those paintings.
Posted by: Lilian Nattel | February 13, 2013 at 07:10 PM