Sunday, September 25, 2011

Northampton Field

 Northampton Field
Oil on canvas, 30x40
Please contact me for price and delivery information

Deep in my soul, I've come to realize, there is a thing that needs discovery, needs to go to new places and see new things. Deep in my soul, there's a rambler, a hobo, a rootless wanderer who would be as happy being a drifter as being anything else.

This has had some results in my life, including an inability - or unwillingness - to stay in the same place or the same job for more than a few years. In my 24 years with Peter, we've moved nine times, and each of them - except for this last one - has been because I wanted to go. Go, go, go.

It seems only fair that we stay put now.

So I've taken painting trips, and they have satisfied my needs. But this year, the demands of my day job and the long and painful demise of our dear dog Kaja made a trip impossible. Now, she is gone, but the job remains, for better or worse. I am looking forward with all my soul to going somewhere in the last week of October - and I don't even care where, as long as it's someplace I haven't been.

Saturday, seized with desire, I threw off my plans, packed the van and headed to the Northampton, Mass., area. I'd painted up there during the Paradise City shows, but always doing early-morning plein-air pieces, always rushed, always hurrying.

Saturday, I took my time, got myself lost, and made the largest plein-air piece I've ever made, 30 inches by 40 inches, and every inch of it luscious and rich and free. I love this painting. I love the place where the shadows of the trees meet the brilliance of the yellow field. I love the swirly, thick sky. I love the curve of the road and the hint of autumn in the foliage, and most of all, I loved going away, being alone, seeing something new. It restored me.


 
Here's my painting, in the field. Not one person passed in the hours I painted.

7 comments:

Anamusingmusing said...

Beautiful Carrie. Both the painting and your words.

carrie jacobson said...

Thanks, Karen! We all need restoring from time to time. Restocking.

carrie jacobson said...

Oh, Shea, thank you so much. I can't tell you how your kind words lift my heart and soul this morning.

Mark Sheeky said...

Inspiring words. The painting shows that love and power and expressiveness and richness.

carrie said...

I love this... and not just because it is Northampton. Where in Northampton were you?

It seems like you have really discovered your style. Very exciting! :)

carrie jacobson said...

Thanks, Carrie! I am indeed finding my way to my painting voice, and I love it. It's such an adventure, and another way of finding my soul, you know? I have No Idea where I was in Northampton. I had been on Route 5, heading into the center of town, and I took a very sharp right just past a gas station, and ended up in some guy's farm, I think. But I also saw a wildlife conservancy sign. Does this make any sense?

carrie jacobson said...

Thank you, Mark. So glad you find depth in the painting. I did, too. And do. It's up in my studio now, drying, making me happy every day.