Autumn Inspirations

Autumn is a visual symphony - a feast for the eyes and free to all. The first vivid colors of fall, with individual leaves exploding with color, nearly brought me to tears.  This change in season seems to be a time for reflection as we prepare for the dormant, hibernating period of winter.

My mother, Marta Flanders, has a nice way of describing falling leaves: "...autumn leaves seem to wave to one on a walk with a "hi" and then a "bye" as they dance in the breeze to the ground."  

  

When I am walking the dogs, I feel as if I am snorkeling the autumn carpet.  The ever changing terrain of texture varies with the species: small, lacy, and delicate leaf edges contrast with rustic and durable dinner plate sizes. The gentle breeze shifts the colors, and leaves flutter to the ground like schools of fish changing direction in the current.   

What emotions do you have seeing the different colors?  There isn't a color that I don't like!  I was inspired to do some leaf paintings. These are 3" x 3". The color of each leaf was very rich and required mixing many colors together, just as the beauty of an autumn vista is composed of many colors.

Happy 4th of July

I have found the perfect volunteer job: painting floats and other decorations for a local philanthropic organization called the Veiled Prophet organization.  The VP was founded in 1878 by a former citizen of New Orleans.  He envisioned a parade similar to the New Orleans Mardi Gras parade, as a way to promote St. Louis agriculture and business. The character of the Veiled Prophet was adopted from the poet Thomas Moore, as a mythological theme for costumes and pageantry.

The Veiled Prophet Parade, now held on July 4th, kicks off five weekends of St. Louis special events each summer.  There are marching bands, large balloons, clowns, horses, and 30 floats.  Of these 30 floats, 17 are themed floats designed and decorated by the VP organization.  This year's theme was "A Night at the Movies".

The shop is an immense place, buzzing with excitement for the work at hand. As a former Fortune Interiors employee, I felt right at home amidst the power equipment, paint, and supplies.  I met a lot of wonderful people, and made some new friends.

Here I am, snorkeling in my dreams as I paint seaweed to adorn the Little Mermaid float. This satisfies my interest in painting stage sets back in my 20's as a career option.  It's never too late!

 I still say, if I wasn't designing homes and businesses, I'd be happy to work for Disney!

Little Mermaid float

Here's the parade and some of my handiwork.  It's a privilege to paint as a way to give back to the community!

April Showers Bring More Flowers

Thunder, lightening, and a heavy spring downpour was the day's natural entertainment spectacle. As soon as the rain cleared and the drizzle seemed really over, I hitched up Chewy for his later afternoon-early evening walk. Lost in thought, I had my eyes cast to the ground. Lifting them and seeing a spectacular rainbow seemed a symbol of optimism that all could share.

The rainbow has never failed to put a smile on my face. I feel like a child, as if it is the first one I have ever seen. When I looked to the right, and realized it was a "double rainbow", with another outer colored band (which doesn't show in the photo), the day seemed suddenly auspicious.

I turned the corner briefly, and when I looked back, it was gone. My timing had been fortuitous for the rainbow viewing. With stormy clouds dissipating, a patch of blue sky peeked through. It reminded me of one of my recent finds in the alley: a small, flat chunk of concrete painted sky blue. I pocketed it as a "patch of blue sky". What magic, to have a piece of the sky in my possession! Now I have the power to see the sky anytime that I want!

I have plans of using that "patch of blue sky" concept in a painting. I'm hoping that the rainbow visual can be interpreted soon, as well. All in all, the season has seen a riot of colorful flowers, each one presenting themself in a precise procession of a perfect spring. Thank you, spring showers, for making this all possible!