A Perfect Day On the Lake

What a Perfect Day to spend sometime near the lake. Lucy Stitzer graciously invited us to paint in and around the old Ellicot cottage renamed the Ellis cottage. The lovingly restored home, it's outbuildings, stone pillars, and landscape created some fascinating drawing and painting challenges. The day started with clouds, but the sun broke through periodically which created some interesting light patterns on the path and in the woods surrounding the cottage. Those on the path looking out 0n the sun drenched dock did some wonderful compositions incorporating the coolness of the path and the warmth on the dock. I personally love the look of an Adirondack chair on any dock or deck. However, for me, this usually causes an anxious state of mind since I have such a difficult time getting them into perspective. . I chose a different subject of an old wood drainage pipe. Missy and I chose our pastels to work with since the day had started out quite cloudy. She did a lovely painting of the lake with a boat house. As for me, I am not sure I was as successful, but that is what this group is all about. We are free to experiment. It is not important that we finish our work or necessarily love what we have done. What is important is that we have had the opportunity to exercise the right side of our brain. Our left side stays pretty busy reasoning and assessing our daily life, thus this moment of peace on Wednesday morning refreshes us like a dip in the lake on a perfect day.