When I Get A Round Tuit!

Fall is a wonderful season where the weather, as well as the temperature, is very unpredictable and exciting. The leaves are bursting with color, every moment is different. The slightest change in the temperature can make the reds brighter or the yellows more golden. The sun shining through the trees illuminates the colors that much more. How wonderful to witness the transition and celebration of the season with all of this excitement going on. Every morning I am in awe of all I see on my drive into work. I find myself dismayed if I am unable to stop and look or even take a picture; however, I try to absorb every detail. The fog in the valley, the cool mist on the river, the sunlit fronds of pampas grass that resemble diamonds hanging on a string. It is all so much to take in at one time.

These colors, shapes, and textures are very willing to become subjects for a painting. However, how do you decide what to paint? There’s so much I want to record, so much I want to transform into art. I think sometimes it is too overwhelming, trying to absorb the whole picture at once. I find that choosing a small portion of the scene is much easier to capture than trying to paint everything you see. You can take that small part and enlarge it to any size and really capture the colors and textures and see the extreme detail that is sometimes lost in the “Big Picture”. It is important to learn to see in small amounts and focus on what really catches your eye in the first place. It probably wasn’t the whole view anyway. It was that one little corner, straining to be noticed, that you discovered and became captivated by.

Every season has its chance to show off, but autumn seems to do the best job of all if the weather cooperates. Too much rain or not enough will definitely affect the brightness of the leaves as well as how long it takes for the leaves to change and how long they last. It is the delicate balance of the elements that creates the Big Show. The best way to capture this fleeting beauty is to be prepared by keeping your digital camera or at least your cell phone camera close by. If you have a spare moment, find a safe spot to pull over and do a quick sketch in your travel journal. Having a basic travel kit like the Joe Miller’s Travel Painter Set stored in your car is always a great idea. Sometimes, I will at least jot down the place and time and a quick note of the conditions so I might, in fact, have time to stop another day and possibly capture a similar view.

Being able to slow down long enough to enjoy God’s splendor is sometimes as much a challenge as is finding time to paint, but to me both are completely essential. Sometimes I find myself saying,” When I get around to it. When I find time.” Then sometimes I just isolate myself from everything and paint. Many days I find it more difficult than others to allot the time. But I am always thankful I did! For those who are fortunate enough to paint everyday, I salute you. It should seem like an easy thing to do, however, for me it takes effort.

Like the seasons, time passes. You must take the time, reserve the time, and paint. If only for an hour, give yourself this luxury of time to express your creative passion. It is an investment that you won’t regret making. As with painting, taking the time to look around at all that God has blessed us with is equally important to me. The days pass so quickly that if you blink your eyes you will have missed an opportunity to appreciate what is truly given to us. Don’t wait till you get around to it, Get A Round Tuit Today! Happy Round Tuit Day!