Tuesday, 14 January 2014

Dreaming of Escaping the Heat

Pen and watercolour on paper 13cm x 13cm 

My dear art blogger friend Michael Perchard recently posted some stunning snowy scenes that looked very exotic to my heat addled eyes. While his part of the world was getting extreme winter temperatures, we were getting extreme summer temperatures. It reached 43.3 degrees Celsius (110F) the other day in Perth and a snowy landscape seemed a rather appealing place to be. But of course, in reality it would be far too cold for comfort as my pink and grey galah discovered. 
It was the combination of Michael's great photos and the extreme weather conditions from one hemisphere to another that inspired me to do this quick illustration. It was a quicker option than painting too! The writing is still winning by a long way at the moment. 


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24 comments:

  1. Celia Blanco14 January 2014 at 03:31

    Adorable and fun Wendy! I also loved the photo's Michael posted. It is hard to believe such extreme weather conditions on opposite ends of the world. I'm happy to hear you are managing to get your writing done despite the heat!

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    1. Wendy Barrett20 January 2014 at 20:47

      Thanks Celia! Thankfully we have air-conditioning or I might not be so productive! Love what you are doing in the 30/30 challenge!

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  2. Unknown14 January 2014 at 05:33

    Wendy this is such a fun and whimsical illustration, I love it!! You are right that cuckaboro should stay cozy in his own hemisphere, because he wouldn't like it in North America at the moment!! I too found inspiration in Michael's wonderful photos on his blog...it's what made me want to paint a similar subject this week. Isn't it nice how we get inspiration from one another? Good for you on your writing. Equally as important a pursuit I would say!

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    1. Wendy Barrett20 January 2014 at 20:51

      Thanks so much Sally! I love how your red cardinal painting is coming along - I really love the complexity of the branches.

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  3. art by Michael Perchard14 January 2014 at 08:22

    The wonderful power of art. As sad as I am today your wonderful whimsical illustration brought a much needed smile to my face! Thank you Wendy. I am smiling as I type this. Sally is correct; we are so lucky to have each other in this little art blogging world for so many wonderful reasons. Take care Wendy. I hope the heat passes quickly! A huge thank you to you and all our dear art friends out there for their support!
    Your grateful and happy to be smiling a bit art buddy!
    Michael

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    1. Wendy Barrett20 January 2014 at 21:13

      I'm glad you were able to smile amidst the sadness Michael. I hope you feel a little better as each day passes. I had really enjoyed seeing all your photos of snowy scenes and my favourite US bird the red cardinal - the idea for the illustration just leapt into my mind! I don't think I've ever tried to depict snow before whether it be through illustrating or painting! So thank you for the inspiration!
      I was so pleased to see that you are going to attend the art classes again in Boston. Even aside from the art aspect, it looks like the trains and trolleys are fun to catch to get there!
      Happy painting!
      Your art cobber
      Wendy

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    2. art by Michael Perchard26 January 2014 at 15:52

      Good on you Mate! Great job on the snow Wendy!
      Also, Happy Australia Day! I have read a little about Australia Day and I keep it marked on our calendar! I am not sure what you have planned but enjoy!
      G'day mate! Australia Day Rocks!
      Your USA Australia Day Celebrating Art Buddy!
      Michael

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    3. Wendy Barrett27 January 2014 at 20:03

      Thanks so much Michael for thinking of me on Australia Day!! We went away for the long weekend and had a great time. Will post some pictures soon! Hope all is well with you!

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  4. Anonymous14 January 2014 at 12:04

    Hi Wendy, 43,3 degrees Celsius is so hot, terrible. Indeed very extreme. I hope you're okay. Your illustration is wonderful and again so funny, I Love it! Great that your writing is going well! :)

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    1. Wendy Barrett20 January 2014 at 21:19

      Thanks for your comments and concern Hilje. Luckily we don't have many days each summer that get above 40C - although there is speculation that we will be getting more every year from now on. Not a happy prospect. Things are very hot again now but it is great beach weather if you get down there early!
      Love your latest post - Sea Urchin! Your work is amazing!!

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  5. Lorraine Brown14 January 2014 at 13:01

    No what you mean Wendy, its weird seeing all the winter scenes painted when we are in extreme heat. It was 45 here yesterday and will be again today. I am partial to holly and berries it reminds me of childhood Christmas in England. Cute painting which certainly tells a story

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    1. Wendy Barrett20 January 2014 at 21:22

      Hi Lorraine, you really copped some horrendous temps over there - I hope you are getting some respite now (Haven't been watching the news lately). How nice to have memories of holly and berries. They also seem very magical to me from Christmas cards over the years.

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  6. Jane14 January 2014 at 14:35

    I read about tennis players fainting in Melbourne because of the heat ...oh my, I think I prefer the cold to that extreme heat you have down under . I hope your lovely snow scene brought you some refreshment :-) All the best - Jane.

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    1. Wendy Barrett20 January 2014 at 21:32

      Hi Jane, It was mad to make them play in that weather - it can literally kill people if they are out in those sort of temperatures too long. Thankfully these extremes are not every day temperatures.
      I hope you're enjoying your cold weather!

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  7. Unknown14 January 2014 at 22:20

    Hey Wendy. What a delightful drawing! Our son is hiding out cause it is so hot in Melbourne. When we get there nearing the end of March he says the temperatures will be cooler…I hope so! We have just come from a stint of -50 weather. Today we have warmed up to -17 and we are getting a huge dumping of snow! Keep cool down there! ;)

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    1. Wendy Barrett20 January 2014 at 21:57

      Thanks so much Shawna! How exciting that you will be visiting Australia in March. Yes, it will be autumn by then so hopefully you will get much better weather. I can't even fathom the sort of temperatures you are getting!! Love your artwork - you are SO talented!

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  8. Joan Tavolott15 January 2014 at 07:48

    I saw Michael's post with these photos and I think it is great that he added a little chill to your brutal temperatures. This is great! I especially like the holly. I also saw the news articles with the tennis players fainting. Hope the temperatures cool off for you soon.

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    1. Wendy Barrett20 January 2014 at 22:07

      Thanks Joan! Yes, Michael's photos were very beautiful and refreshing!
      I love visiting your blog - you are amazingly prolific and very talented!

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  9. Unknown16 January 2014 at 20:11

    I agree with all the other comments -- adorable illustration! I can't image the heat, esp with our chilly temps recently.

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    1. Wendy Barrett20 January 2014 at 22:09

      Thanks Amy! Yes, it is hard to comprehend the opposites when we are in the middle of our own seasons - I particularly can't fathom temps that go much below zero!

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  10. David Teter19 January 2014 at 01:02

    I know your heat is extreme but I will take heat over cold any day! It has dipped below 50 degrees (f) so many times here I can't warm up! ; (
    Even your illustration is making me cold! I may be the scarf! Brrrrr!
    Keep painting...

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    1. Wendy Barrett20 January 2014 at 22:24

      I quite agree with you David, having been through a whole winter in the UK when I was 21, I feel it is a lot easier to get through one of our summers. The horrendously hot days are usually interspersed with very bearable weather, and our autumns,winters and springs are very easy to live through. Spring and autumn are my favourites.
      I imagine you get similar sort of temps in LA as we get in Perth?Only at opposite times of the year of course.

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  11. Helen Cooper23 January 2014 at 12:21

    We had your heat wave here in Melbourne a week an a half ago! Love the 'escaping the heat' illustration . Holly brings back many childhood memories !

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  12. Wendy Barrett27 January 2014 at 20:00

    Thanks so much Helen! I have noticed sometimes that our weather seems to reach you a few days later. Yes, I find holly very magical!

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