Terrill Welch by herself - issue #21 The Heart Knows
Once our home vacation finished on July 26th, the rest of the past month has been intense days of painting and then taking breaks to play in the sun with family and friends. This reminds me that I often find that my heart leads and my mind finds reasonable justification and strategies to fulfill my heart’s desires. I am sure I am not the only one afflicted with this process of rationalization for what I will likely do and it is just a matter of finding a creative solution. Does this happen to you? I love to paint. I love colour and light and nature and I just seem to find more and more reasons to go about doing what I love to do best! This past month has been no exception. I have two more “Summer of Flowers” still life paintings completed and ready for your consideration. Plus, I completed two more commissioned paintings. We shall start with what has sold that will include the two commissioned paintings and then move on to what is newly completed and exclusively available to you for the next week.
WHAT HAS SOLD
This art collector spotted “Early Spring in the Japanese Memorial Garden” in my art studio on the ledge with other small paintings shortly after it was painted. She had come to visit the gallery pod and, as I often do with keen art lovers, I had invited her in to see what else I was working on in the studio. From then, until last weekend, she waited and planned for an opportunity to add this artwork to her art collection. Last Sunday was the day! I know this painting has found its perfect home where it will be deeply enjoyed for many years into the future. Please join me in congratulating both the art collector and the painting for finding such a perfect pairing!
This is the fourth of my smaller paintings the art collector has added to her collection. When she was asked by a colleague why she buys expensive original paintings on such a modest budget, the art collector replied - “pure pleasure!”
I am thrilled and honoured that this art collector finds such pleasure and joy in bringing these painting reminders of an island she loves and calls home back to a nearby city with her where she lives and works. What can I say? The heart knows!
Early in the month, I took this new commissioned painting into the gallery and introduced it to the other sea floor paintings in the series.
They visited for about an hour and then the artwork skipped out the door with the commissioning art collector without a backward glance! I later heard that it had settled in immediately to its new home in the chosen location. My heartfelt thanks to the art collector for taking the painting under her care and stewardship!
I took this photograph during the quick introduction before the middle “Rhythms on the Sea Floor with crab” painting was on its way with an art collector to its new home. However, there are two more smaller sea floor paintings and the large sea floor painting that are still available. You may notice that the small seashell painting on the right is available again after being marked sold. This is because the art collector first purchased this one on the condition that she could exchange it for the one with the crab if she liked it better. So this is what we did.
Finally, the most recent commissioned painting sold to the art collectors before it was dry or the edges painted. You can see it below hanging on the right beside the large sea floor painting.
The idea for this painting came from the art collector and I followed her lead and gathered references over a period of several hikes until I had what I needed. Together, we worked out the best size for their space and then I went to work and sent work-in-process images as the painting developed. Once the painting part was completed, the couple came to the gallery pod to make their final decision. This is my customary practice with the commission process. The final decision to purchase is only made once the painting is completed.
Artist notes: A hollowed out driftwood stump frames the morning view during a brief rest before meandering back along the trails.
I am happy to report that they are thrilled with the artwork. Once the edges are painted and I have a final photograph and put it in the inventory, they will be able to take it home. In the meantime, I have started working on a larger commission for them that will share the same room as this first commissioned piece.
So this is it for painting sales and completed commissions for this month.
As you know, the Terrill Welch Gallery Pod is open today and everyday from 11-4 for walk in self-browsing at 428 Luff Rd. It is not often that visitors need to line up and wait their turn to browse like they did on this past Sunday. I promise! Usually, you can simply drop by and have the unique gallery in the woods to yourself until I come out to say hello, if I am able. But apparently, this may now not always be the case. Even still, it is a short wait! I look forward to seeing you soon. 😊
WHAT IS NEWLY AVAILABLE FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION
I have two more “Summer of Flowers” still life paintings. The art studio has been my favourite place to be most days when working on these.
There is a gentleness to this particular boutique that matches the day it was painted.
Artist notes: As I finish this painting in the soft filtered light of a summer Sunday, the world seems to have shifted just slightly.
For this next still life painting, I divided the bouquet to best feature the dark sunflower.
It was so hot in the studio for those few days that I managed to get the painting done but the bouquet didn’t survive.
This is one of the reasons I enjoy painting flowers. They can be at their best in the painting forever.
There are now five of these new small still life paintings to choose from with another already taking shape on the easel.
I am really pleased with the amount of learning and exploration that this series is offering. I do hope that eventually they find homes of their own but in the meantime, I am happy to have their company in the art studio. This series is because my heart needed me to paint these still life works. The combination of deeply connecting with nature, the farmer who grew the flowers and the results of my brushes facilitates significant increased resilience in my life. Like the sea floor and seashell series, “Summer of Flowers” is about enhancing my sense of inner peace and hopefulness. Like I said earlier - the heart knows.
UPDATE ON MY APPLICATION - ACCEPTED!
Yesterday, I received my conditional offer from The Open College of the Arts -
… we would like to offer you a conditional offer for the
following two-year, part-time programme:
· MA Fine Art
· Intake October 2024
The “conditions” are that I completed and sign several procedural forms and agreements. Once this is done, I will receive a link to pay my tuition fees for the first semester and I am in!
The program doesn’t open until October 7th and classes begin on October 21st. Each cohort is made up of 10-12 students. There can be more than one cohort offered in an intake period but each must be a full complement. I am looking forward to virtually meeting my international classmates and getting to know how the system works in practice.
This will mean a few changes for my newsletters but I can assure you that “Terrill Welch by herself” will continue each month though there will likely be a shift in content with fewer to no childhood stories over the next two years. I will share more in our September issue as I line everything up.
GOING WITH WHAT IS POSSIBLE AND NECESSARY
I haven’t been writing any stories because I have been taking more time to read and painting or thinking about painting has taken up most of my brain power and physical time. My hiking of the trails has been limited because I have been nursing a rather sore hip. I have been doing a circle loop on the uneven but not too rough ground in our neighbourhood where I can go around and around a crescent as if on a treadmill. This way, I can be more consistent and I am never very far from home if I need to stop. This route has some good hills so I manage about the equivalent of 10 - 15 flights of stairs a day and 6,000 to 8,000 steps. Usually, I break the walk into two parts morning and evening. I have come to enjoy the physical nature of walking for exercise and I have been surprised by how pleasant a walk it actually is. All I need to do is put on my shoes and step out the door. My hip is finally getting much better with the daily and deliberate routine and I will be in good shape for hiking the longer distances soon.
I did look through my photographs but except for a few photos from the beach parks like this one above from Georgina Point and the lighthouse there is mostly a record of images that document how I went from taking off my painting apron to putting on my cooking apron.
In between painting in a slightly too warm art studio, I have been enjoying the bounty of our August local produce from our garden and from that of our local farmers. We do not eat many salads this time of year but we likely eat even more vegetables than in any other season….
The local peppers are not quite ready but there are some delicious beauties I can get from Farm Gate Store to go with the first of the eggplant and tomatoes.
I love to chop everything and lay it out on parchment paper adding salt, pepper and whatever other spice I desire with a drizzle of olive oil, chopped fresh basil and a squeeze of lemon juice and the. roast at 350 F for 60-90 minutes. I have a small drawer oven at the bottom of my new range that is absolutely perfect for this and doesn’t heat up the house.
When the house smells like a summer day in an Italian farmhouse then you know the sheet pan deliciousness is ready. You can see why I like to use parchment paper!
Place the oven roasted eggplant, peppers and tomatoes in a bowl and set aside or serve immediately with crackers or toast while still warm.
The next late July and early August delight is basil pesto! This one is made with pine nuts. And yes, I finally broke down and purchased a small 3.5 cup food processor. My wrists insisted that they have had enough of the hand chopping required for pesto. I reluctantly listened and I am pleased enough with the device though I do miss the flavour distinction of the more coarsely hand chopped pesto.
But it is beautifully smooth and still very tasty - just different. And I did get a better result the second batch I made. I am guessing, like everything, it will just take a little practice.
Now all this goodness will make a light lunch spread on crispy toasted wood fired sourdough bread. Just spread the dry toast with the pesto and add the roasted vegetables, top with mozzarella cheese and Aleppo pepper followed by warming in the oven until the cheese is melted. You can thank me later!
Or you can serve the crusty mouthwatering bites with homemade cabbage and summer vegetable soup for dinner.
If you have anything left, try topping pan seared and slightly basted boneless and skinless chicken breast just before it is finished cooking with pesto and edges with the roasted eggplant, peppers and tomatoes (just long enough to warm) then served with plain new potatoes that were boiled with a bit of fresh dill and serve with fresh from the garden crispy cucumber and more tomatoes - if you wish.
The second batch of basil pesto allowed me to freeze two servings and use the third to make one of David’s favourite pasta with fresh pesto. I am not much for pasta but this bronze die extruded rigatoni pasta imported from Italy is particularly good if you can have wheat.
Our weather has cooled this week and I have ordered more spices and two new cookbooks for trying some new recipes for fall and winter. But this is it for kitchen adventures for now.
UNTIL NEXT TIME
As I bring this issue to a close, I have been thinking about how much more hopeful the global outlook seems with the Harris/Walz ticket developing in the United States election. Though there is of course no certainty of a win, there is a sense that at least there is a chance for a positive outcome for the United States and by extension, the rest of the world. I didn’t realize how much I had been concerned about this until the shift happened. I know that many of my American friends are working hard to see this through to a positive way forward and I cheer them on from the Canadian sidelines.
I wish each and every one of you an abundant late summer and early fall as we wrap up the harvests and start organizing for the coming winter. It may feel too early to be thinking of winter but summer is on one shoulder now and if you turn your head to your other shoulder, winter is already in waiting. I can tell by the coolness in the shadows and the scent in the early morning air. It is the way of the seasons.
All the best until we connect again in September!
Terrill 👩🏻🎨🎨❤️
P.s. If you would like to comment on this issue and share your own thoughts you are more than welcome. Also, feel free to email me directly at anytime and reach out to tawelch@shaw.ca as I am always pleased to hear from you.
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