Susan Tooke at Long Branch Studios

When I was in Goose Bay, Labrador, at the Arts Festival, I did get out briefly into the country.  The red canoe, stashed above the tideline, the driftwood angled against the solitary stone, the November snow and far shore made a lasting impression.  The silence of winter.

My latest in expressive landscape painting.  The dynamic movement of the tides in the Bay of Fundy near Great Village, Nova Scotia is a subject of epic proportions.  The sky and the water of the bay are constantly changing with the ebb and flow of the ocean as it is funneled into the valleys of the stream beds and rivers.  The challenge is to paint this energy.

Richard and I were driving on the highway, when we decided to take the back roads.  The land was covered with snow, the stubble poking through the icy crust.  An isolated farmhouse stood on the hill against a late afternoon grey sky.  There was something iconic about it as it stood on its pedestal of last summer's cornrows. As I painted, the feeling of the land and enormous sky enveloped me.  I was drawn into the universe by the mystery surrounding the old homestead.

It has been a while since I have posted, but here at Elm Street Studio, we have not been idle!  We had a wonderful time with the Studio Rally Weekend, and have even more plans for the upcoming year.  Meanwhile, I would like to share one of the pieces just finished based on my plein air work on Long Island, this past September.  Lines of energy, surging power of the tides and the brilliance of the light made for a wonderful painting experience.  Come by to Elm Street for a studio visit.

Richard and I have been painting up a storm lately.  We would love for you to come visit us.  Much of the work is either plein air, or based on plein air work here in Nova Scotia.

Just back from a wonderful week on the South Shore painting plein air with artists Richard Rudnicki, Joy Laking, Nelson Hubley, Bruce Gray, Heather Crout and Bev Hubley.  The sculptured coastline, summer cloud formations and turquoise ocean all combined to give us a perfect week.  (Not to mention, all participants were great cooks!) My landscapes are inspired by reality, but take off from there, without colour limits, embellishing form with patterns and line.

Richard and I had the good fortune to spend several days at the end of May in Great Village at the Elizabeth Bishop House.  In such an atmosphere of creativity, surrounded by the aura of the great poet, we explored the landscapes of the Fundy Shore.  Working back into the plein air paintings created on site, I have completed 12" x 24" studies; two are posted here.