Blog

In the Noon Light

30 x 40 oil/canvas

Yep, it’s that special time of year. Again. And, no, I don’t mean the Superbowl!

I don’t know that I’ve ever owned up to the fact that the Superbowl means absolutely nothing to me. In the x number of years it’s been going on, I’ve only seen two Superbowl games from start to finish. In both instances, it was all about the people and the food and hardly at all about the game (or the commercials). And, my brother-in-law shushing the rest of us so he could watch.

Don’t get me wrong. Even though I don’t make a fuss about attending High Mass at the Church of Professional Football, I am all about the Game. Of Life, that is. That’s why tomorrow evening (unless we get a last minute invite to someone’s Superbowl Party), I’ll be doing what I always do on February 1, celebrating the Eve of Groundhog Day.

I love Groundhog Day! Unlike Christmas and the Superbowl, it’s a holiday that a) hasn’t been over-exploited by commercial enterprises (the movie doesn’t really count) and b) makes excellent spiritual/psychological sense. I watch the movie every year. This year’s viewing will be accompanied by chips and guacamole.

As a preacher, I gave my very first Groundhog Day sermon before I’d even become a full-fledged minister. It was 1986—actually several years before the Bill Murray movie was made—and my audience was my Licensing & Ordination Committee at Unity School. In the talk, entitled “The Groundhog’s Dilemma,” I suggested that, just like the groundhog, we humans are afraid of our own shadow; however, as we continue to run from it back into our hidey-holes—projecting our shadow onto handy blame magnets—we miss out on the fine weather of a happier existence. One of the committee members asked if she could steal it for her next Sunday’s sermon. I attribute this to the irresistible appeal of Groundhog Day themes which the subsequent film illustrated with far more accuracy than I could ever squeeze into a Sunday sermon.

So, yep, it’s time for Sonny & Cher to rise and shine—again. And for Bill Murray to step into that icy puddle—again. And again. And again. Until he doesn’t, thank God. Again. I hope this year you’ll take time out from your Superbowl indulgences to reflect on the central question of Groundhog Day: What do you do when you see your shadow? (As for me, when I can see my shadow(s) I try to paint 'em!)

Please, if you didn’t get invited to a Superbowl Party, don’t feel you’re alone. (My sole invitation—so far—is to a party several thousand miles away!) You’re welcome to come over to my house and watch the movie with me and Roo. Oh, and bring a Groundhog-related snack.

A Workshop with Ellie Harold

March 23-26, 2015

Expand your painting horizons! Enjoy the unique challenge of capturing the light on the Caribbean landscape on the beautiful island of Vieques, PR. Why Vieques? I've been a visitor and part-time resident on this island for more than 20 years. When I began working outside about 10 years ago, it was here that I made my first plein aire paintings. I know great places to paint all over the island and can provide you with the support you need to have a first-rate outdoor painting experience.

Escape the deep freeze. Vieques' weather is balmy year round but March, before the rainy season, is a particularly nice time to paint there. The light is luscious, the colors are intense and the subject matter includes palm trees, unspoiled beaches, roaming horses, charming harbors and street scenes.  Click here to get an idea of what I've painted there. In case of inclement weather, we can work out of my studio.

Work hard, have fun. This workshop is designed for adventurous artists of all levels who already have some outdoor painting experience to explore not only the basics of design, values and color, but also the particular challenges of painting Caribbean light and subject matter. For the first session we'll meet at my studio for an orientation and small demo. On the other days, in order to take advantage of the spectacular light and to avoid the heat of midday, we'll meet for 2 sessions, one from about 8-11 a.m.and another 2:30 - 5:30 p.m. I'll do a demo at one or both sessions and you're free to watch or do your own work. Since I work in oil, that's what I'll be using for my teaching, but you're free to work in whatever medium you choose. The workshop will be limited to 6-8 participants.

Workshop fee. The cost for the workshop is $400. This includes the orientation session on March 23, plus 2 sessions each day on March 24, 25, and 26. Participants are responsible for bringing their own equipment and supplies. (I have 3 plein air easels available on a rental basis ($50), first come, first served.) More info on materials provided with registration. This fee does not include transportation, accommodation or meals. See below. A $200 deposit will hold your place in the workshop. Registration deadline is February 14.

Choose your own accommodations, length of stay, etc. To get to Vieques from the U.S., you'll fly into San Juan (SJU). There you take a puddle jumper plane or take a ferry from Fajardo. For general information about the island and how to get here, visit the website for our rental property.

Once you reach Vieques, a wide range of accommodations are available -- from a beach campground to a W Hotel and everything in between. My studio is in Esperanza on the south side of the island; many of the good, reasonable restaurants are nearby, as well as a number of the painting sites we'll use. The sooner you book, the more choice you'll have. I can provide additional information about accommodations if you'd like. If you can, consider staying on Vieques for a whole week -- there's so much to see and experience!

Interested? Send me an email right now!