My husband and I were delayed returning to home by a major snowstorm in the Sierra Nevada mountains. The freeway was completely closed for a while so we had to hunker down in our hotel a little longer than expected. Finally we got a sunny day, the roads were cleared and we made it home. I give a heartfelt thanks to all of you who commented on my blog while we were traveling and for sending your best wishes for my husbands recovery. We are both so happy to be home, he is well on the way to a complete recovery and I have learned how much I appreciate the little things - like my very soft pillows, our English teacups, the way the afternoon light moves through our house and the wonderful people who support and sustain me here in cyberspace. A very deep and heartfelt thanks to all of you.
Here is a short photo chronicle of our drive home through the rugged and snowy mountains:
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| The I-80 is the main road from California into Nevada |
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| This photo shows a glimpse of the Truckee River at the bottom. It is the only river to run out of Lake Tahoe and tumbles down through the mountains into my home town of Reno. |
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| Finally we are back in civilization! |
And some imagination and fun at the easel - I don't know what to call this creature with the upper half of a man and the body of a bull!
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| Oil on linen panel / 20 x 16 |
Glad your both home safe and well; a worrying time.
ReplyDeleteMagnificent views of the mountains - plenty of material there for future landscape painting.
The man-bull could be a Lamian Pheres!! I think it was Zeus that punished some 'demons' by turning them into "Ox-horned Centaurs"
I just knew you would know what kind of creature this fellow is, John! Thank you! It was kind of fun to allow my imagination to run wild in creating him. The snow covered mountains were awe inspiring - we read that there is more snow in the Sierra Nevada's this year than any other year for the past 22 years so it was a treat to experience this particular beauty. The people who run the ski resorts sure are happy!
DeleteThese photos are amazing Susan!! So beautiful...however, I'm glad you're both safely home! I love your half man/bull...not sure of a title...so bad when it comes to that..lol (glad hubby is doing well)
ReplyDeleteThe scenery was stunning. These photos were all taken out of the window of a swiftly moving car - I can't believe any of them turned out!
DeleteLife sound good and back on track. What a relief.
ReplyDeleteThe photos are absolutely stunning. Thank you.
I don't care what the creature in your painting is called - all I know is it is beautifully painted. You are so talented!!
Yes, a relief and a letting go of the stress of it all. We feel so much more comfortable (spiritually and mentally) now that we are home and my husband is doing well. I appreciate your support, Julie - I envy you your balanced and thoughtful approach to painting. Mine is more raucous and unpredictable. It worries me at times.
DeleteBonsoir ma chère Susan,
ReplyDeleteDe bonnes nouvelles malgré la neige qui vous a retardés mais quel beau spectacle elle nous offre grâce à tes superbes photos.
Il est vrai qu'on apprécie les petites choses de la vie de tous les jours après avoir traversé des moments difficiles avec les doutes, les craintes...
Ta dernière peinture est peut-être une manière d'exprimer comment tu as dû te battre avec tes interrogations, tes angoisses face à ce moment difficile que tu as vécu. Tu étais tel un taureau dans l'arène, pleine d'énergie, prête pour le combat...
J'aime beaucoup cette dernière peinture... Tu es formidable !
Je pense fort à toi... Prends bien soin de toi et de ton époux.
Gros bisous
You are very insightful and I think you are correct, Martine. This bull creature may embody my emotions in getting through the last few weeks although this was not obvious to me. Perhaps it is best expressed by Paul Cezanne (and I am paraphrasing as I don't have the direct quote at hand) - The thought does not pre-exist, it is not felt beforehand and then expressed. Rather a kind of thinking occurs through painting where the painting itself is making the thinking.
DeleteMaking art is a wondrous and winding journey!
Thank you, dear friend!
The view of these snowy mountains is spectacular , and the creature you painted is eye catching too , I would recognize him as yours anywhere :-) So glad to hear the good news !
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Jane. It was quite a spectacular, and a bit scary, drive!
DeleteThe snowy landscape looks beautiful, but I am glad you are home safe. Interesting creature, I am sure he has a name in Greek mythology.
ReplyDeleteJohn Simlett believes he is a Lamian Pheres! I am kind of glad is is just a figment of mythology and imagination!
DeleteLOVE ... LOVE ... LOVE your minotaur/centaur!!!!! Now I want either to buy yours or paint one :) What a fantastic imagination! I skimmed right over all you "s "-word photos - we still have more of that *#&** coming down here. I am sorely missing my time with Bruno, and he is getting very bored, too.
ReplyDeleteSusan, I hope your husband continues to a perfect recovery.
Warmly
Kathryn
So happy you like him - he is so strong and fierce! I knew you would not be able to look at the snow photos - but no worries - Spring is on the way. We finally have some warmer weather and my potted hydrangea (that I over wintered in the garage) is covered with new growth! Bruno will soon be happy again! Thank you for your best wishes for my husband. He is dong well!
DeleteI am so happy to hear about your husband's good recovery!
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