Today was to have been a guest post but… because I was away on holidays, I didn’t organize it! So… not guest post and just a really short post from me — mostly because it is our last morning here. The trees are ablaze, there is no mist on the lake and Ula and I are off to take in a few more exhibits on the Madawaska Valley Studio Tour before C.C. and I pack up the car and head to the airport at 1pm.

We spent the day yesterday driving through the countryside visiting artist studios. Tucked in the folds of valleys ripened with fall leaves, nestled in clearings in the woods, the artist studios we visited were oasis of creativity blossoming in the valley. It’s clear the Group of Seven have influenced artists throughout the valley. As has Robert Bateman who used to paint in the are. But perhaps the most spectacular and influential visit was with Horst Maria Guilhauman. The setting of his studio is like a postcard from a Monet masterpiece. Gently sloping hillside filled with autumn flowers in bloom leading to the waters of a dark surfaced pond reflecting the golds and reds of maples and dark green of the firs standing sentinel on the far side. A duck drifting along the pond’s surface. Clouds scuttling by overhead, their reflection the only movement on the water’s surface. Birdsong. A crow cawing. A two-storey wooden house with giant windows looking out to the verdant scene beyond.

We enter and Horst greets us, his German accent still detectable after 40+ years in Canada. He is wiry. Energetic. Intense. At 77 his energy is contagious. His enthusiasm for his art, philosophy, life inspiring.

He gives us commentary on the paintings (mostly prints and giclees) on the lower level of his gallery before leading us up to the second floor. “Watch your head”, he calls out as we climb the circular metal stairs leading upwards. And when we arrive in his ‘aerie’ we are greeted by giant paintings of incredible tones and colours and hues. This is where his ‘real’ art is on show, he says. This is where he shines.

And wow! What a show. The upper level is awash in light and colour. Thre three rooms leading back to his studio are a masterpiece in and of themself. Stunning.

Horsts ability to capture realism is unbelievable. And his ability to translate thought, philosophy, idea into substance on the canvas is incredible. Do visit his website. While seeing his paintings on the screen is good — in life they are absolutely incredible.

As we were leaving, Ula, who is also an artist asked him about creating fog on her canvas. “You can only use oils’ he tells her. And then goes into an indepth lesson in how to create he effect she seeks.

Gracious. Convivial. Welcoming.

We spent an hour with Horst Maria Guilhauman and I wanted to race home, haul out my paints and get busy. I may just do that next week!

Blessings to all. We fly out this evening and tomorrow, I’ll post photos from the week. I shall miss my sojourn in the forest by the lake, but shall carry the memories in my heart – and beauty never grows old. It is always inspiring my spirit to take flight and soar!

And that is what made the difference here – to be surrounded by nature’s beauty, soaking up the essence of the forest and lakes, the sky above. Immersing myself in wonder everyday. Beauty never grows old when nature is at play with all my senses.