Grace

Day 11: #rogertorypetersoninstitute I usually know what I’m going to paint each day when I head out, but today was the exception. The weather forecast reported overcast sky’s, so that ruled out anything that would be enhanced with shadow... Overcast days tend to look flattened, both in value and color. One exception to that rule is Fall foliage. I’m not sure why, but I’ve always loved fall colors on an overcast day, they don’t compete with shadows, they have a glory all their own. They glow.
Leaves have just begun to change colors in Western New York, so I started my hunt. I found plenty, yellow, red, orange, magenta, but I was also looking for a graceful composition. There in the corner of the parking lot was a young maple sapling that held its leaves and twigs like a ballerina in mid dance. I’ve always thought of maples as one of the most graceful of trees. Even in Autumn, when the leaves begin to fall, the maple sends its leaves off in one glorious last dance, twisting and turning to music only it hears.
My little sappling has its battle scars, holes and ripped leaves, and it still remained mostly green, but it’s simple composition earn it the title “Grace”

“Grace” Watercolor, 10”x8” Available
Unframed $350
Framed $425

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