Balance

Just a simple little sketch for today. I used the natural light coming in from the window on these two apples. The painting actually looks much better than this photo. For some reason, I just could not get the color right on camera. So, it is what it is.
On the color wheel, red and green are "complements" - they are opposite each other. Other complementary colors are purple and yellow, and blue and orange.
For the painter, this is useful information to know. Adding a complementary color to a composition "balances" it.. for example, in a landscape full of greens, adding touches of red will increase the visual interest, and keep the greens from being too overwhelming. It is for this reason, that some landscape painters tone their canvas with a warm reddish tone and allow some of that underpainting to show through in their landscapes.
I was thinking today that we must have balance in our lives too. I mentioned before that I'm reading through the whole Bible this year. It has been a great experience so far, and has given me much to think about. One of my favorite verses sort of wraps it all up: It says:

He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you but to live justly, love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?

I have taken this to heart, and I think that means I am to always try to do the right thing (live justly) to err on the side of compassion and kindness rather than hatred or revenge or backstabbing (love mercy) and to have an honest evaluation of myself before God - know that I need forgiveness and Jesus provided it by His death on the cross and trust His grace and love to me(walk humbly). If I can do these things, my life will have balance, and I'll be a much better person for it. That's sure what I want to do!!

Goodbye Larry!

The long arm cast came off yesterday! Here is a photo of "Larry", face drawn by Tatiana, my granddaughter. The only fun thing about Larry was that he glows in the dark. That was entertaining (for about 5 minutes). I was extremely happy to get rid of Larry, but not so happy to find out that another smaller cast ("Shorty") is taking his place. And that I still wont be able to drive for another two weeks at least. And that after this new cast will be a removable splint, and lots and lots of PT. Right now, after being in the cast for 4 weeks, my arm will not straighten out and the muscles have already atrophied quite a bit. eeeuuu.. it looked like somebody else's arm! Going to be hard work ahead to return to some semblance of normal.
But, one step at a time I guess. Goodbye Larry and good riddance!

Spring on the Wapack

Spring really is coming. I've seen turtles, snakes sunning themselves, and today, we heard the peeper frogs for the first time this year! This view is on Temple mountain, looking over to Pack Monadnock on the Wapack trail. Snow here is melting fast. In fact, I had to add a little snow in the painting to get it like i wanted.
Next weekend, we're doing a run the full length of this trail, in preparation for a double on it in a race the following week. It's a tough trail, with a little bit of everything. Where I am standing in this view is part of an old ski area. The land has been purchased by a conservation group, the ski equipment removed, and the integrity of the trail will be maintained. That's a great thing!