Fall Back, Fall Forward

FALL BACK

Woods on Fire, 2011, Acrylic on Gallery Stretched Canvas, Work in Progress, 36" x 36"

Fall, 2010, Water soluable marker on Strathmore Drawing paper. 

Fall 2011, Pastel on Strathmore Drawing, 

Fall, 2010, 9" x 9", Water soluable markers, on Reeves

Fall 2012, Acrylic on Gallery stretched Canvas, 20" x  20," Detroyed. I don't know why.

Fall, 2012, Acrylic on Gallery Stretched Canvas, 20" x 20" (unit three of Four Seasons)

FALL FORWARD

My first steps back towards the studio were taken out the door with my camera.  I slipped into my Pumas, put the camera around my neck and grabbed the cane. Fall was out there flashing it's colors. It would be a good come back subject, not too demanding, a subject I could doing sitting. Likeness would not be an issue of concern.

New Fall reference photo. Better on 20" x 20" stretched, than 12" x 12" 

The back patio was a mess of moss green turning black. Next Sring power washing would be first chore on the list. The new cushion on the chaise that Ellis said was really in bad shape didn't look that bad to me. He had washed it and propped it upright to dry on the cement. I brushed it off and set it up on the chaise to let the air circulate. It would be dry enough to store by the weekend. I had missed doing these little chores. It was nice being off the couch and outside puttering. 

Surveying what lay between me and the woods, my photographic jaunt wasn't going to be easy. There was a small lake to cross where my neighbor had let his hose drain into the grass and a hill to climb to get around  the sun. Maybe I was making a mistake? The knee was good, but not yet the knee it could be.   But I had a mission. I wanted a paintable shot of all the pinks, golds, lavenders and yellow greens I saw from my window. Color is the subject when I think Fall.

I only stumbled once getting around the drainage ditch. It was enough to put me on my guard. The commercial where the lady is lying on the floor yelling help me, I've fallen and can't get up ran through my mind. That's all I needed was to have Ellis come home and find me lying out in the yard; I'd never hear the end of it.  Carefully, I made my way to the top of the drainage ditch. I was right. The spot gave me a nice view of the trees in their Autumn dress plus a glimpse of the wetlands leading to the lake, a good shot with depth of field.  I snapped away. 

By one, I had a photo that could be expounded upon. I had custom sized it to six by six inches to fit the six by six canvases I had in stock. But when I got downstairs and pulled one out, I changed my mind. It reminded me of bathroom tile. I needed twelve by twelve at least. I'm a fan of the Hudson Valley painters, but where they emphasized the grand expanses of countryside by minimalizing the forgrounds. I prefer a larger format and a up close and personal look at all the movement out there.  A miniature canvas was out. I needed to take a trip to the art supply store. That will be today for a twenty by twenty stretched. Tomorrow, I'll set up the easel so I can sit--yes, I said sit. If I wait around till I can stand, I'll be too old to lift the brush. This brilliant idea of mine sure has been dragging on.