Buddy # 2 brought paintings he made in Greece this summer. He has his own style (small brush work; drawing and detailed style of painting). His compositions and juxtaposition of colors give him a particular style tending towards high realism. He did the underpainting for a new piece that will show tall ships leaving Amsterdam.

Buddy # 1 brought a painting she also started this summer at home. She loves painting seascapes of Nova Scotia and has a good flair. However, she was not happy last night with the results of her efforts. The crackled paste bought from Golden did not help. Both Buddy #1 and I recommended underpainting and gradual build-up (she is working with acrylics).

I took the brush drawing I made from a scene I witnessed in the streets of Old Quebec City in the spring of 2008. A throng of young people attending a wedding were gathered in front of their hotel. You could feel great excitement in the air and then, a young woman in a magnificent red dress turned around. I caught the movement of the dress and the moves of the crowd in one single shot of my camera. I sat on the image for a while, but made the first brush drawing at the end of last winter. I sat on it again until last night. Contrary to Buddy # 1, my style is deprived of details and rather minimalist. I was happy with the results last night and thankful that, even after this long pause, I was able to literally pick up the painting from where I left it, without hesitation or misgivings.

Buddy # 1 is the first person who joined me in my weekly open painting night. Buddy # 2 is the second. Other painters have come and gone, but we are the successful triumvirate who keep plodding along after many years… I am glad they are back.