Thursday, March 11, 2010

"Sun Stood Still" New Painting



"Sun Stood Still", Oil on canvas 20X30" © 2010 Shayla Perreault Newcomb

"...which just goes to show that even though the clock would like to convince us otherwise, time is not the same for everyone." José Saramango "All the Names".

This one brings up a memory for me and that's how it got its name. I was hiking through the Nova Scotia swamp with my best friend when I was 12. It was a hot summer day. We'd taken our sneakers and socks off and were walking in the spongy moss. With each springy step, warm water would gush over our bare feet. We had peanut butter sandwiches on white bread that we ate along the way. It was the last time we got to hang out before my family moved to New Brunswick. That was a day where time moved differently. In fact, in some ways, it feels like it never ended.

13 comments:

Salon Delucca said...

oh Shayla, the painting and the story, so wonderful - what a gift to be able to catch such a memory and hold it in this fabulous painting xxo

Margie said...

Love the painting and the story.
It especially appeals to me as Nova Scotia is where I was born and I go back there often to visit family.

Margie :)

Unknown said...

I'd love to walk on spongy moss..smelling the fresh air and even smelling the moss, must be very refreshing. I like to walk in the shade..yesterday, the temp was 38 celcius..way too hot to walk under the sun. Happy weekend Shayla :)

steveroni said...

As a barefooted child raised on a farm near Cincinnati, Ohio, I identify with the "peanut butter-and-best-friend-hiking story.

As for the sun being stilled...have you ever since thenactually, really felt as if time was stilled momentarily, or even a bit longer than that?

It is a real shame that painting will be hanging in a place other than on the wall over my monitor! I love it!

PEACE!

First visit here, Shayla...I think!

Regina said...

Love this and your story. I could feel the squishiness and smell the peanut butter... the sun on my face. I have moments of my childhood that are frozen in time like that. Thanks for sharing yours.

Juggling Jason said...

I like that quote.

Tracy said...

A painting--what a great way to preserve a memory! After reading your story in connection with the painting, it all rings true... can almost feel the heat of the sun, that wavy, sweltering feeling, the moss under foot...mmm... I really like this one! Thank you for sharing this memory with us, Shayla :o) Happy Weekend ((HUGS))

ArtPropelled said...

I enlarged the photo and got lost in the sky. Such a beautiful painting, Shayla. You amaze me! The story brings back memories for me too. As for warm peanutbutter sandwhiches ..... oh boy those were the days. Now I love open crunchy peanut butter and syrup sandwhiches ..... and don't forget the thick cold butter underneath the goo.

nanke's stuff said...

It's just beautiful. I love all the textures, the sky, and the colors. The story is really wonderful, too. nancy

MiKa Art said...

Beautiful painting, beautiful essay - kind of makes me cry!

xoxox

DJ said...

Beautiful painting...your story brings back memories for me.

Shayla said...

Jeane, I've heard that art is the best mnemonic.

Margie, that's right! You're from Nova Scotia. How nice you still get back to visit. Living by the ocean gets in your soul.

M. Kate, I think I might melt if I visited Malaysia ;) You might freeze if you came here in the winter (I know I do), but in the summer it would be refreshing.

Steve, welcome and yes. That timeless feeling is so intriguing that a lot of my art is about it. I think creating and focus triggers that feeling. Have you noticed it?

Regina, neat. I would love to hear yours too.

Jason, thanks. I didn't make it all the way through that book, but I loved that quote. Perhaps I'll give it another try.

Tracy, I'm glad you could picture it.

Robyn! Oh you've given me cravings. Yes, cold butter slabbed on thick as cheese slices. And syrup? Yum! Say, have you ever tried frying penut butter and jam sandwiches? Also delish. Hmmm.... suppose fluff would be interesting too. Now that reminds me of smores...

Nancy, thanks for visiting and for your kind words.

Mika, my friend, you understand about the bittersweet in moving.

DJ, thanks. I'm glad it brought back memories for you. Right now I'm picturing you as a kid on summer vacation instead of as a schoolteacher.

Cherry Jeffs said...

That description really transported me Shayla :) I like José Saramago as well but I haven't read that one, must look out for it.