Autumn Changes

Changes as October hurries on. 

The leaves, blow & fly these days. 

Trees are  are partially dressed, 

arms & fingers revealing themselves more each day. 

Above, a sketch based partly on a summer photo 

of Somes Sound, Mount Desert Island, 

and partly (mostly) on memory. 

In the scene above, the trees are still

wearing their September coats. 

Completely from memory, 

that high spot I described 2 posts ago, 

on my way East, Augusta to Belfast by the horse farm.

PS. I replaced the sketch that was originally 

in the previous post.

Do scroll down to check it out...

A sketch of a sketch, the original served 

as a good reference for this one.

My own changes:

Creating more from memory,

 looking into my mind more.

I feel the change coming on of moving inward,

to a more private place. 

I have the intention to not post here for awhile...

On verra, we shall see...

I am hearing: "Follow your Heart," 

express your authentic self,

in the midst of so many distractions out there.

Change of Scene at the Bookstore

After my university class in the "big city" of Augusta, 

I enjoy going to Barnes & Noble. 

I like to do a tour of the store & then 

relax with a latté in the café 

while going over class notes.

Yesterday 2 women were loudly discussing POLITICS 

loudly in the café:Ack! Serenity disturbed! 

So I took my cup to a chair across from the art section. 

The change of scene had a marvelous effect. 

I never would have thought to go there 

without this disturbance! 

I ended up receiving a flow of art ideas 

for my upcoming work, 

& while there, grabbed a quick sketch. 

Change of scene: A simple tool 

for making the most of a moment.

 Profitez-en bien!

PS (I replaced the sketch that was here previously with a revised version. A sketch of the sketch...)

Autumn Trees Shout Out!

My twice weekly commute to French class 
has been more enchanting than ever.

Each time I see different mixes of colors 
along a 40 mile stretch of road: 

Through woods, by lakes, next to fields & farms,

with distant small round top mountains 
to the north, east and south.

Heading East just as you come to 
the hilltop Seahorse Farm,
distant views emerge, of Penobscot Bay, Blue Hill,
and the hills of Mount Desert Island,
while peaceful horses graze 
in rolling pastures to your right.

Wednesday, 
I finally stopped at a little lakeside State Park
 to do some sketching.

The only other person there, 
under a shaded pavillion was a watercolor painter. 
It was understood
that we would not chat but just paint & draw.

Such intensity,

such vibrancy,
 these hardwoods shout out their beauty,
with arms reaching out to me, and to the sky.
Each spot along the road is different.  
Some places are in full color,
 others have faded, 
others have more evergreens.
Still other hadwoods are only beginning 
to change from their summer greens.

This last shout out of the leaves as they depart is festive.
 I am in the autumn of my life, "golden years" they say.

It does seem to be filled with days of brightness,
(as well as soft fog and grays.) 

Upcountry Fairs

In "big city" Portland, 

my predominant means of viewing art work 

was in privately owned galleries. 

Here, I prefer outdoor Fairs & Farmers' Markets, 

where local artists & artisans

set up their booths alongside 

harbors, rivers, or in town squares. 

Part of the fun is strolling outdoors, 

 chatting with vendors & other folks. 

Great places for sketchbook journaling!

Above, a summer Art Fair in Bucksport, 

along the Penobscot River.