Monday, July 23, 2018

Life in PEI After Almost a Year

Here we are in our little house by the sea, our dog Joey at my side as I write. It has been a lovely day-very warm, sunny, dry as in no rain for a few days and actually quite humid. Joey and I were out watering the flowers, new plum tree and veggie garden in the early evening.

We could hear the crows conversing across the way at Winsloe House mixed with the voices of children staying at the guest house. The wind was calm with the little breeze causing our Canadian flag to wave gently as I sat and knit on socks for Warren at the patio table on our front porch and watched cars go by. The Islander neighbours waving and the tourists just driving by.

I promised myself I would be painting here in PEI and I can say I am living up to my promise. Before I came outside I took time to glue down a watercolour onto a prepared board and box frame. This is a country scene of a barn up the road a bit.

I have a new acrylic painting hanging in the kitchen picturing our house and barn.
Another one of the same house nestled in some trees as seen from the edge of the field beside us ready for another box frame.

Time to get going on the next one. This time I'm thinking it might be a watercolour of a plant in the garden. I'm not fully committed to that idea yet.

The watercolours are not being put behind glass; not for now at least. I'm exploring alternate ways of preservation. 1. Fixing with a UVLS spray and then rubbing on Gamblins cold wax medium.  2. Fixing with a UVLS spray and then varnishing with Kamar Varnish. 3. Fixing with a UVLS spray and then painting on Minwax Polyacrylic Finish. All are being displayed on box frames which lay flat to the wall.

I purchased a high end Logan mat cutter. I just need to locate mat board. Art supplies are best ordered online. The art supply stores are not good here. There is Michaels and a small art gallery that gives lesson through the winter in Charlottetown which is 45 minutes away-neither with much of a selection.

I am working full time at Belfast Mini Mills, so though I really enjoy working there, my time to paint, spin and weave is very limited. I meet all kinds of fibre loving people and it is a really a great pleasure to be working there. I work with wonderful people.

We have had family visiting start a couple of weeks ago and it will continue for the summer. Now to get my hubby over the flu he has before more visiting starts.