Without Ink Lines

Nick Bantock (previous post) tells me to 

Try new ways. 

Paris Breakfasts Carol (previous post) tells me to

Let go of my ink line. 

I dare you, she says. Take a chance.  

You will not be sorry, she says.

Bantock says that part of the creative process is to

Face the unknown.  

Without my lines, the water & the colors 

knew more of what was going to happen 

than I did. I'm still not sure. 

The Trickster's Hat

Nick Bantock, in The Trickster's Hat: A Mischievous Apprenticeship in Creativity

talks about our tendency to return to familiar motifs. He encourages us to break out of familiar patterns. 

He says that we must let go of "self-seriousness" in our process, & remember to play.

Bantock talks about approaching a series of exercises that he presents in the book with a "Devil-may-care attitude". The Trickster, Bantock states, does not favor us when ego is driving our endeavors. 

This book was recommended to me by Carol from Paris Breakfasts. Now there's a gal who knows how to incorporate play into her very focused & in-depth work, & how to tap into her "true motivations & passions."  

Quebec City, Je t'aime

Parliament Building for the province of Quebec, built late 19th century

The official Québec reigion website says: 

"Quebec City: So Europe, So Close"

Six hours close, in fact. 

Follow the river to the border through 

Maine farm, mountain & woodland. 

Then Canadian countryside.  

An annual pilgrimage, often in May.  

Sketching.Early morning at the café. 
Writing, reading, sketching.
"There is more courage than talent in most successes,"
says this postcard.

Strolling in the old city along with other visitors. 

An artistic marionnette show, "Ondin", presented at

Théâtre Jeunesse Gros Becs by

"L'Illusion: Théâtre de Marionnettes" from Montréal.

I cried, not because it was sad, but because it was beautiful.

Coming back with beautiful French language children's books
after hours of happy browsing at the bookstore "Pantoute".
Coming back from a weekend when
so many passions & interests have, once again, 
come together. 

Birdman (of portcitydailyphoto blog) isn't sure 
if there is such a thing as luck.

I am sure that there is such a thing.
And also gratitude.

After the Rain:: Mount Desert Island

 I hesitated to go to Acadia & Bar Harbor because it had been raining.

But, Oh!, I'm so glad I went!

Up close, on the town Shore Path, things were super springtime bright, including umbrellas 

waiting for summer tourists to arrive.

Bright fiddleheads! 

 But out to sea, things were different. 

Just as I arrived on the Path, clouds & fog parted for just a few minutes, 

revealing the Porcupine Islands.Thank you, I said.

 Then fog came rolling back. I sat on a bench,

sketched, watched its flow as nearby birds sang.

I was enveloped by cool fresh air. Thank you, I said.

Eventually, all was enveloped.

Very mysterious, very divine, this gentle fog.

 View of the island's mountains from the West face of Cadillac as fog journeyed inbetween. Only one time before have I experienced such a marvel & that had been on top on Pemetic (mountain on the left). 

Thank you, I had said. 

 Celestial. Above the clouds. 

Later driving home, down below, I was right in those clouds!

Just before going home I had stopped to visit a quiet, early evening, & softly sunny Bubble Pond. 

It's at the base of Cadillac (left) & Pemetic (right). 

Thank you, Thank you. for the variety & changes of this gentle weather.

While on top of Cadillac, I had shared the views & chatted with 2 happy girls from China, a happy Japanese father & his college daughter, &, 2 happy Polish men (in Polish we chatted!).

So, I guess it's worth the effort to make pilgrimages to beloved places. And not only in fair weather...

The Park & Happy Spring!

Quickie sketch based on an old fast sketch that

for some reason was just sitting on my desk...

The local park is open again!! 

HAPPY SPRING!

Tulips

 I saw tulips in the ground today!

These were from the grocery store, 

from several weeks ago.

It is  

The Merry, Merry Month of May in Maine!