Ah, Autumn!

Vermont View
5x8 Water Soluble Pencil
©BEDeuel/Bronson Hill Arts



Autumn is here, officially and literally. It is a very wonderful time of the year in this part of the world, upstate New York.

While Earth’s outdoor residents are scurrying to prepare for cold, nasty weather and snow galore, it seems that this is the season that gives the rest of us the right to unwind and relax.

The yard is as trimmed and prettied as best it will be for the year. The weather breaks in such a way that pleasant activities are easier to enjoy without the heat and humidity. The colors are startlingly beautiful. The holidays haven’t started their demands on our time or finances yet.

Yep, it is a wonderful time of the year.

Autumn inspires creativity of the mind and the hands. It can be needlework, photography, artwork, writing letters, kitchen magic, anything! It can also simply invite you to curl up next to loved ones and dive into a book or ten.

The hope is as always that everyone takes the time to indulge their bliss. My hope is that this is the season that makes it possible for you!

Happy Autumn!

Summertime

Charleston Garden
6x6 Water Soluble Oils on Stretched Canvas
©2013 BEDeuel Bronson Hill Arts

 

Summertime is here and, yes, almost gone. Where, oh, where have the long days of sunshine gone?

It's been awfully hot all around the country, including these netherlands of upstate New York, land of snow and snow. So, yes, summer is still going strong, even if we are on the shorter end of the long days.

But with the "dog days" of summer, it seems to be too easy to waste the days. In avoiding the heat, we languish.

Is that really a bad thing, though? No, it's not. The quote about "mad dogs & Englishmen" always rings true to me at this time of the year.

The painting here, Charleston Garden, was inspired by a photo taken many years ago while wandering by and admiring the lovely, gated gardens in that city. It took a lot longer to finish the painting than it should have, and, while I do like the final result, it's missing a key part, the part that held up the final brushstroke. I couldn't paint a decent looking, white cat.

The original photo depicted a pretty garden with a white cat in the foreground lazily cleaning him/herself.  The image of comfortable indifference was entrancing. It was the picture of the perfect way to spend the summertime: relaxed, casual, easy. S/he was doing only what was necessary and doing it slowly, at that!

So, taking a cue from my white, Cheshire cat (that only I can see), it's time to kick back in the hammock and enjoy what is left of these wonderful, sunny, hot days! Hope you do, too!