Pivoting
Evacuated
It was Monday, May 12/25. We were ready for the 2025 lake season. I even had my paint ing supplies at the ready and was about to set up in my temporary lake studio in our bunkie .
Then we saw the water bombers and smoke close-by. We packed and left quickly, but I had to leave my watercolour paints at the lake along with several other items. It’s been two weeks and we’re still evacuated and I’m still digesting the experience.
Even though I now know our cottage is safe, I’ve reacted to the situation in unexpected ways, which continue to puzzle me.
In addition, due to the continued hot, dry weather we will probably not be able to access our property for another week or more. It’s time to pivot, but how?
Before I go on I would like to acknowledge that we were lucky. Regrettably some of our lake neighbours lost their homes and cottages. This loss is significant and my ramblings pale in comparison.
Pivot 1 - Looking for Inspiration in the City
Foolishly, I had intended to focus my painting on lake landscapes for the next few months. I often paint en plein air at the cottage, but rarely in the city. Now that I’ve lost my muse, I’m feeling disoriented. Where will I find inspiration in the formal, organized streets of the city?
Pivot 2 - Finding my Painting Mojo
I feel emotionally drained in unexpected ways. The proximity of the fire to our lake property has forced us to rethink preparedness, emergency planning and finances Amon other things. Additionally we are anxious and always looking for information about the fire situation.
Moreover, there’s lots of uncertainty. What if the wind changes direction? What if the pending hot weather reignites the fire? What if a bear breaks into the cottage looking for food? I’m amazed at the number of ‘what if’ scenarios I can imagine.
All these emotions are impacting my painting process. Often I don’t have the energy or desire to paint. I’m hoping this will change, though.
Pivot 3 - Revisiting Sustainability
Sustainability is important to me. I only used watercolours ( least toxic paints ) at the lake and a few years ago I started using water-mixable oils instead of acrylics.
Unfortunately, I found that oil painting didn’t suit my painting temperament or style so I went back to acrylics. The fire, which is probably related to climate change, has encouraged me to revisit using eco-unfriendly acrylics.
What to do? What to do?
Day later - Amazingly I was looking for local eco-painting groups and came across Natural Earth Paint. How did I miss an eco-paint company in my own city? I will definitely be trying out these paints.
The Way Forward
Finding Inspiration in the City
Many years ago I used to paint en plein air in city parks. While I can no longer carry my painting gear any distance, I can manage a sketchbook. Here’s a sketch a did a few years ago on one of my rare urban painting excursions. I can always use sketches and reference photos to suggest a painting.
Paint with Watercolour
I’m at a crossroads about which painting mediums to use. For the interim I’ve decided to use up both my acrylics and water-mixable oils and slowly and solely paint with watercolour. ( I will try the eco-paints mentioned above as well). I actually painted a 24” x 36” canvas using watercolour a few years ago and quite like it.
Energy and Focus
I saved this pivot to the last as it will be the most challenging one. Do you have an ideas? Is it just a matter of time? Perhaps a spa day? 😂 Seriously though, how does one get their mojo back? All suggestions are appreciated.
StayTuned
Will the evacuation be lifted soon? Will I get my mojo back eventually? Will I find something cool to paint in the city? Will I create some worthy paintings using watercolours or will the eco-paints be so amazing that I incorporate them into my painting practice?
So much is changing. Find out what happens by subscribing to my e-newsletter here.
I’ll be showing subscribers my latest paintings and behind-the-scenes in my city and lake studios ( when I return ) so don’t miss out.
