'Water Lover' oil on canvas 24 x 30

Sunday, November 29, 2009

'November Willow',

(Canadian west coast Impressionism, Gorge Waterway, willows, Takata tea house, Victoria BC)


November in my part of the world is a time when the
willows both native and otherwise really show off their
colour. On these dark and dreary days that we have
been having they glow like lamps in the landscape.
However this Friday morning we were delighted by
bright sunny skies and brisk temperatures.
The early morning frost can be blamed for "inspiring" the
early snow in this piece. This was painted in a very
historic part of Victoria, which is now part of the
Gorge Waterway park system. However starting in
the early 1900's this was the terminus on the Gorge Loop
of the long since vanished BC Electric street car system.
It became a site of beautiful gardens, amusements, plays
and musical performances. For many years the Takata
family had a wonderful floating tea house and Japanese
strolling garden here. There was also a large sampan that
could be boarded in Victoria's inner harbour and ridden
to the tea house and surrounding park. There is
an effort underway to restore some of the old
Japanese garden to its former glory, which was heavily
vandalized and slowly destroyed following the
invasion of Pearl Harbour in WWII.
For a more detailed history, complete with some
wonderful old photo's please refer to Dennis Minaker's
fantastic book 'The Gorge of Summers Gone' A History
of Victoria's Inland Waterway.
Oil on wood panel 11 x 14.
Your thoughts and comments are always welcomed!
Jeffrey
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"From the blue-black of night, beyond where the campfires flicker,
a latern-lit boat nears the jetty where a temple-roofed
building is both refreshment booth and landing stage...
its a merry throng that debarks to return to the park
over the three semi-circular arched bridges."
-Colonist newspaper, July 19, 1908

10 comments:

Sadia said...

I like your style Jeffrey! every layer can be seen separately , a gradual build up of a great painting!

Jeffrey J. Boron said...

Thanks Sadia...

Jeffrey

Melinda said...

How beautiful to have such gardens available nearby. Lovely, strong work as usual!

It's good to hear of the history of this place, too. Helps to connect to the narrative that you have to the image. Very interesting.

Jeffrey J. Boron said...

Thanks Melinda...it really does have a wonderful history that needs more exposure.

Jeffrey

Charlene Brown said...

It's good to find another Victoria painter (via Linny's blog) and I love this painting of Gorge Park. The snow really is "inspired" (and beautifully painted) and finishes it off perfectly.

SongNote said...

Hi Jeffrey, beautiful work as always. I've been out of the blogosphere for a few months, and it's cool to see you continue to producing such high quality work as consistently as ever. I am both inspired and chided by it :-)

Jeffrey J. Boron said...

Thanks Charlene...and thanks for the visit...yes there are a few artists in Victoria =;-))

Jeffrey

Jeffrey J. Boron said...

Glad to know your back Songnote we've missed you! Thanks for the comment!

Jeffrey

Deborah Younglao, Silk Painter said...

Oh my.... I don't think I've ever seen one that color! I like the contrast of the warm gold leaves against the snow.

Jeffrey J. Boron said...

Thanks Deborah...they really are at their best right at the last!

Jeffrey