The Lap desk Series: Week 7

“The Neighbors Visit” 9”x12” gouache on paper

This week I turned to spring. While most people are elated, counting down the days to the first day of spring, I am becoming even more sad - grieving the loss of true New England winters, fluffy snow, and the ability to cross country ski whenever I want in a magical winter wonderland. I love to xc ski, and this year I haven’t even been able to take my skis out once! To perk up my spirits, I have been teaching my friend’s dog Birdy (the dog in this picture) training commands in preparation for skijoring next winter (if we ever get snow again). Winter is my favorite time of year and I always long for the quiet of snow.

Of course I have to acknowledge the beauty of spring and summer, particularly the lush green and sparkling colors. My favorite flower is the daisy - a weed that pops up with resilient fervor and can make any landscape sparkle as if studded by stars. When I was thinking about turning my thoughts towards spring, a memory popped into my head of when I used to have the goats and the little farm at Sweet Birch Herbals. One late spring day, I was doing chores and feeding the goats when I heard some giggles from the field right next door. Behind a tree, were my neighbor’s twin girls, making one of their miniature horses stand still so they both could ride him down the hill and say hello. And that they did! In unison, almost as if practiced, they both called “HI!” from the back of their horse. It was absolutely charming. They loved to come down to the barn when I was there (mind you, these girls have many horses and other animals on their own farm, so I really valued that they actually enjoyed my company!). Oh, and their little mini Aussie would come bounding down the hill with them. She would usually sneak under the fence and greet me enthusiastically.

The entire memory really captivated my imagination. How many kids can do something like this? Run down a hill, jump on a horse, and go say hello to their neighbor? I thought this kind of outdoor spirit for kids was lost, but…maybe it isn’t? Maybe kids are still able to experience life fully in a dynamic and simple way? Perhaps it’s about context and where and how they grow up, but I’m confident my little neighbors are going to have some of the fondest memories a kid could ever have.

So here is this week’s painting. I had to make a few artistic decisions - we don’t have holsteins at the farm up the road - a different breed of cow, but I wanted black and white for color purposes. I changed the neighbor’s house to reflect a more traditional New England house and of course there is a red barn. Cows and horses in the field are painted with less detail to emphasize the distance. The challenges on this one were the red checks on the dress, (I have a tough time with painting this kind of weave) and the thinking behind how to paint the daisies brought me back to remembering that I’m suggesting vs. recreating here. I hope the sentiment comes across about this lovely late spring/early summer day - it truly is a cherished memory of mine.

The painting is available as a print until March 8th here. All of the other prints are available until March 8th as well and then the listings will close.

Here’s to the cherished memories of spring!

Andrea