Autumn Arrived

 

In these parts the arrival of autumn was glorious with blue skies, a gentle breeze, mild temperatures and hints of red, yellow and orange in the trees.  For me, as I spent time on the river in a kayak (that's the yellow section of the above photo), in a motor boat and swimming (yes, I wore a wetsuit), the day was perfect.  With these beautiful images I quickly recall that intense calm and joy I felt just being on the water.  Although, I do have to say that typically I don't take a phone/camera with me in the kayak -- I just want to be "unplugged" -- but snapping photos while trying to maintain my balance in that boat was a little unnerving at times when I forgot that I wasn't on land.  

"Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn."

                                                            --Elizabeth Lawrence

Apples!

 

A couple months ago on a blog post I featured some apple trees that were full of blossoms and speculated that in these parts just maybe there would be a bountiful apple harvest.  Fortunately for us, that's the case as we are enjoying these beautiful honey crisp apples.  Several years ago we had two honey crisp trees planted on our property ....and then we waited.... as this is the first year they produced fruit.  Wow!  Now I can say that it was worth the wait as these juicy, crunchy red and green globes are perfect.  And, no, we didn't use any pesticide or spray to repel insects and so forth.  So, in this crazy year of 2020, I'm giving thanks for this gift from Mother Nature.

Workspace

 

Perhaps you're wondering how these three images are related.  Simply put, the first picture gives a glimpse of one of my favorite places to draw as I sit near the end of the dock overlooking the river and listen to feathered friends chirping, the occasional fish jumping, squirrel squawking, boat passing and the windsock moving to and fro.  A funny side note is that sometimes when I'm really focused on my art suddenly the wind stirs the nylon fish and it startles me.  Of course, in an instant I gasp,  jump and then laugh at myself.  

Below are a few recent pieces that I drew in this spot.  Does nature inspire my artwork?  Yes, but being in nature AND drawing patterns is a gift that I treasure as it soothes me and makes the rest of the world disappear.  And, voila, beautiful things appear on my paper.

Worth the Wait

 

For me, watching the world's most famous geyser is delightful.  Although my last trip to Yellowstone was in 2012, often I look at those photos and recall the amazing geological features as well as the mountains, valleys, lakes, rivers and wildlife.  In my mind, this place is simply marvelous, and I love sharing the images.  These three photos show Old Faithful leading up to the eruption.  Current sources say the geyser typically erupts 20 times per day with each lasting 1.5 - 5 minutes.  Enjoy the views.

Art Mimics Industry

 

Because wind turbines are a favorite subject for me to photograph, in past years I've featured several of those images, including the one above.  Perhaps you recall seeing some of them.  Now, fast forward to my practice of drawing patterns to create unique images ....and... I stumbled upon a pattern referred to as "Wind Farm" and below is one of my creations.  Essentially, it's the tower and three blades drawn several times with many overlapping and creating depth.

Hint of Change

Recently September arrived and in these parts brought cool temperatures, rain and wind.  For someone like me who spends a lot of time outdoors, that means adjusting my wardrobe and altering a few activities like kayaking and water skiing.  Although, in a few days the temperatures look to return to more seasonal averages and I'll be back in the water.

Nevertheless, these images are an introduction to the change of seasons with the fall variety of sedum (Autumn Joy) seen in the above photo and a colorful leaf and acorns pictured below.  It's apparent that the heat, lack of moisture and change in the calendar have created new beauties for us as we look out the door and notice little glimpses of autumn creeping onto the landscape.

Divine Messenger

 

In the early morning stillness along the river, I'm treated to many of nature's delights, including feathers that make their way onto my path.  Recently, after a rainy night, the above plume was positioned on a wooden walkway as if it was placed there just for me to notice.  All those water droplets glistened like a sparkly diamond and I couldn't help but admire my find.  With the intense sunshine at the time I took the picture, I really wasn't able to see all the colors in the feather and the wood beneath.  It's like a painting that only the universe could so perfectly create.  

In addition to the beautiful image, feathers are often associated with magical, mystical items that, when found, signal a special message from the divine.  In most ancient cultures throughout the globe, feathers were revered as a direct connection to the heavens.  And, whether or not one believes the appearance of feathers to be communication from the spirit world or simply coincidence, the above photo is a gift to me as I delight in its lines, textures, colors, shadows and symmetry as well as its asymmetry.  Finding this beauty made me feel grateful, content and connected to the world outside my door.

Hens & Chicks

 

In general, not just with plants, hens and chicks are simply some of my favorite things.  Yes, I have several of them in planter boxes, landscaping and in strawberry pots that spend the winter indoors. Beyond just growing them, they are my teachers with lessons about many topics that translate to life for humans.  The following are some of the takeaways:

--keep things simple

--we are beautiful without even trying

--if we take care of ourselves, we also help those close to us

--find something you like and the rest will take care of itself

--we are constantly evolving / changing / transforming