Summer in the Country

Corn near Sangerfield, watercolor on Arches cold press, approx 10"x 4."

This view isn't far from where I grew up and where my dad lives. When I was in central New York to see him a few weeks ago, the corn was fully tasselled and omnipresent; I stopped here the morning I drove because it's a favorite vista anyway, and this field of corn looked particularly lush. The roadside was filled with wildflowers: Queen Anne's lace, chicory, thistles, and when I stepped into it a cloud of grasshoppers rattled up, hopping onto stems a little further away. It was exactly the sort of summer-in-the-country moment I miss a lot, now that I live in a city, and I suppose that's one reason for the painting.

A few days ago I strained my back while gardening, and yesterday the muscles really unwound, as I'd feared they might. I can't take anti-inflammatories, so mostly I just have to wait things like this out, though I try to keep moving and do the gentle back exercises that work for me. I've noticed that when I'm feeling fragile I more apt to find myself doing realistic, detailed work -- this one's almost a miniature -- probably it's a way for me to feel like I'm in control of something. In any case, it seems to be therapeutic, and I was also more comfortable standing at my drawing table than anywhere else.

We went on a grocery-shopping trip yesterday afternoon too. On the way home we stopped at a favorite bakery and bought two chocolate-frosted, raised beignets (doughnuts): a treat that was worth the pain of being seated in the car. (It's not easy to get a good doughnut in Montreal, but this bakery's are great.) To hell with the diet...a refrain that was repeated in the evening over a gin and tonic. Therapy comes in many guises!

Comments

[Marja-Leena]

Beth, I have been enjoying all your watercolours and drawings of late.

Sorry to hear that your back is strained. My physiotheraaist has said many times that gardening is bad for me! Do we stop? No, but I have to remind myself to pace myself and keep changing positions and activities and not work at it too long. But you know that. Good that you find iartmaking therapeutic as well as a few edible treats. Get better soon!

[Tom]

Loved this little painting, but, are the trees wet-in-wet or wet in just-damp? The foreground is beautifully rendered as well. Hope you are fully recovered before long.

[mary]

Just came back this afternoon from a long walk in the Morton Arboretum, one of our favorite places. There the thistles and Queen Anne's lace are everywhere, too. I just love the way you captured them in the foreground of the painting. Hope your back heals quickly. I definitely agree--therapy comes in many forms--but chocolate usually tops the list.

[bev]

Wonderful painting, Beth! Hope you are feeling better soon.

[Natalie]

Beth, your eye is so unerringly acute, this is a lovely watercolour. I especially like the solid mass of trees on the top left.
Hope your back feels better soon.

[Jean]

Beth, I too strained my back recently, trying to open a stuck window at start of heat-wave :-( , so I literally feel for you. Take good care of yourself and hope it feels much better soon, as mine does now. I find that becoming completely mentally and emotionally absorbed in something or someone is the only thing that really helps in the short term, isn't it? and I'm sure your painting fulfils that function, as well as creating beauty.

[Beth]

Thank you, all, for the good wishes.

Tom, the trees are painted over a pretty dry sky.

Jean, thank you,and I'm so sorry you hurt your back too! Mine is gradually recovering now, and not a moment too soon. Being in pain like that is very difficult - though I think I'd choose back pain to a severe headache. Keeping busy and absorbed is indeed the best thing, and you're right that painting is a good choice of what to do.

[Lilian Nattel]

I hope your back is well soon. Beautiful painting--it caught my eye immediately in the reader. And your drawing of sweet peas.