The sky is free of the grey smoke and the air ash-free from the Northern California wildfires. After weeks of being cooped up inside and eager to feel the outdoors again, we decided to go on a Sunday drive to one of our favourite local haunts looking for autumn colours.
What we found, however, was a grim sight. Instead of trees blooming with ruby red and golden yellow leaves, we found burnt, straw-yellow leaves still clinging on to charred black trees. There were utility trucks everywhere, taking those trees down before another incoming red alert or high fire danger last Sunday.
This saddened me so much that after coming back home, I went through my photos and sketchbooks for signs of autumn. These photos were taken a few years back before the continuous wildfires started.
Capturing one of the leaves in my sketchbook as Autumn Red.
I spotted autumn colours as early as August that year. Autumn Yellow Maple was another painting of a found leaf.
I love being outside in the rain. Last year, during one such afternoon of raking leaves, I picked up a few treasures.
Afterwards, I promptly drew them in my sketchbook.
Falling Leaves will always be special to me, painted in my new atelier surrounded by the ones I love.
My wrist continues to heal, but it is still in a splint. Thank you for being so patient with my delayed replies and visit backs.
No matter what it has been like for you during the current times, I hope you are taking a little time to enjoy the outdoors. It is a precious thing that we often take for granted.
Until next time,
-Soma
I am linking up with the linky parties on my Events And Links page. Please pay a visit to some of them. They are a wonderful bunch!
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