A Time for Celebration

Summer has just officially begun and so far I have been to three weddings — all of which were beautiful and very different marriage celebrations.

This past weekend’s wedding was held in a little campground chapel, with the reception held at the groom’s family farm. It was so homey and relaxing that I just wanted to remove my wedge heels and run through the long grass. Beautiful children all dressed in their Sunday best, farm pets, and special moments with my friends became subjects for my photos and possible themes for future paintings.

When I first arrived at the farm, the refreshments-stand was being set up, so I walked around the farm and patted the heads of curious horses and tickled the nose of a quirky goat. I visited the chicken pens and laughed when I saw plastic decoy ducks floating in the large family pool. As people arrived, I enjoyed watching a little girl with a litter of three-month-old puppies. Another little gal in a bright cheery dress held onto a piece of watermelon while clinging onto her mommy’s finger for security’s sake. That sight will definitely be a future painting. The bright colours in her dress, the blueness of her eyes and the bond between her and her mother stole my heart.

Another image of beauty approached the party as the bride and groom entered the scene, walking hand in hand through the long field of uncut hay until they reached the neatly manicured farm and joined us with their presence. This too may just make another wonderful subject for me to paint…

I took lots of pictures of the men and women as they presented speeches and terribly funny skits about the bride and groom. These were documentary photos of memories I will give to the bride and groom, but nothing that necessarily encouraged my creative side. I much prefer playing with the puppies, or walking in the grass and taking photos of the bugs and birds and beautiful scenes that cross my path. I thank God I’m a country gal!