Michelle (Basic) Hendry - Fine Artist & Author

Artist and Author - Landscapes and Ruins

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Sideroads and Favourite Art

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Innisfil AbandonedInnisfil, Photograph, ©Michelle Basic Hendry, 2008

I have not been so excited to get out of the house in ages…. The weather yesterday was exceptional and I had the opportunity to combine and art supply and RV pick up with a good tour of the countryside for reference photos. Flu free and having my voice 90% back is wonderful! I saw some beautiful farms, fields and valleys. Some of the most impressive places had nowhere to stop to take photographs. Next time I bring the man (read chauffeur)….
Farm Field

Yellow Field, Photograph, ©Michelle Basic Hendry, 2008

Sideroads are a wonderful and relaxing way to avoid long weekend traffic. You don’t get to your destination any more quickly, but the journey is far more enjoyable. I drove down one section of road that is more of an ATV track (thankfully I drive a Jeep). The road narrowed through this dense forest. The sun was coming in at a late afternoon angle and the floor was carpeted in trilliums.

In an earlier post I spoke of starting a project of painting abandoned and historic homes. I have since found a community of people who appreciate these old Ontario buildings and archive them photographically. The generosity of one member allowed me to find an exceptionally beautiful ruin within minutes of one of my errands. (Her portfolio.) I was able to spend some time taking some photos of the site and a painting is in the works….
Ruin

Innisfil, Photograph, ©Michelle Basic Hendry, 2008

I drove home via backroads and found a number of beautiful buildings – some occupied, some not. I think that the western end of Oro-Medonte is the best kept secret in Ontario. Despite what could have been a rushed and stressful day, I arrived home relaxed, with everything completed on my list and excited for the next day-trip….
Oro Ruin

Oro Abandoned, Photograph, ©Michelle Basic Hendry, 2008

Favourite Art!

Laketrees is holding a contest allowing bloggers to vote for their favourite artists. I was lucky enough to be included in the list of 17 paintings. There is a poll and the artist with the most votes wins $100. There is some lovely work there – all of very different styles. I encourage you to visit and VOTE! (Mine is #9 – just in case 😉 )

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Hi Michelle,

    I’m curious! Is your RV a jeep or did I miss something here?
    Of all the paintings at Laketrees, I must admit I liked your work the best. Let’s hope more think like I and you win the $100. It will help to pay for the art supplies you talk about.

  2. I was driving my husband down to pick up the RV. He drove the RV back – I was driving the Jeep! 🙂

    Thanks for the compliment, martin! More paintings to come as a result of yesterday’s trip next week… I hope you are enjoying your long weekend!

  6. Thanks, Kim! 🙂 I have several photos that I took that day and they will be becoming paintings in the next several days….

    Hi Kinsey! Thanks for voting! Enjoy your trip… I look forward to your next photos too.

    Thanks Linda – Me too…. 🙂

  8. Thanks, Jean! 🙂
    It’s a rainy afternoon so I am preparing canvas and drawings for 3 images from that trip. I am going to need to get faster if I am going to be ready for August! LOL!

  11. Nice photos! Congrats on hooking up with the local building archivists! Glad you’re feeling better. 🙂 I voted for you.

  13. I love the houses you photographed, especially the first one. They are so different than the old abandoned buildings you find over here.

  16. Well – I was able to lean inside the empty windows of the Innisfil place and take photos. The place was torn apart. I didn’t step in because the floor was badly rotted and I could see the cellar from outside the front door. The other building I didn’t approach.

    The blacks spot is a crow. I can see it perfectly at full rez. I suppose I might have taken it out for this image! 🙂

  17. I have been a bad blog visitor 🙁

    So I have added you to my feed reader, that way I wont forget about you 🙂

  18. Hello Michelle,
    thanx for your comment, and by the way its a good idea to trim off the Big Bang post..but I have no idea how to this on wordpress? can you help me?

    One more thing, I just love your painting :
    Wheat Field, acrylic on canvas, 20″x20″
    its very dramatic, I just find it amazing, would you mind if I make a specila post of it on my new blog http://paintingartworks.wordpress.com

    it would be an honor…

  19. Hi Doudy!
    Please feel free to do a post on “Wheat Field”.. Thanks for the high compliment!

    I am e-mailing you on how you might trim the long post ..