2018. The last leaf.

The senior center was open this morning . It's Monday and the last day of the year, so most of us assumed with the holiday on Tuesday, it would be closed.  A few quick phone calls last night and it was verified that it would be open. 

 It was 34 degrees when I let the dogs out at 7:30 this morning.   Brrrrr....   lately it has been between 30 and 34.  Today there was a brisk wind with a chill factor well below the 30s.   In California we don't normally hear wind chill factors with our weather reports, as its seldom so brisk.   

By the time my friend Ruth and I got from the parking lot to the more protected entry courtyard, we were half frozen, but spotted a beautiful leaf I picked up to draw.   There won't be many more after this blustery day.  A Winnie The Pooh blustery day.     Stripping the trees bare as if in a rush to get ready for the coming season of new growth and blossoms galore. 

So for the final leaf art piece of the year, I finished off my nature series in the Strathmire Toned Tan sketch book.  That's the second one I filled since starting the first one in January 2014.     Many pages in both are devoted to these pear leaves.

I already bought a new one so I can continue this series. 

Happy New Year, my friends!

Art where you find it

You know once you start looking at EVERYTHING as art, it just pops out and waves at you at every turn.     Two old chairs on my deck have cracked plastic covers.   I usually have cushions on them so have not really noticed how bad they look.   But, when removing the cushions, the cracks looked so interesting I had to photograph them.   They look like cave art.

Don't you  love to come across some unexpected found art?

Last evening, the house inside had a strange peachy glow.   I don't use curtains or blinds to keep out the light because changing light is one of my pleasures.    I rushed out to the back deck to see what made the light change, and behold, this magnificent light show right overhead.     Then I checked the front windows and it was just as spectacular, but a little ominous.   Light changes so fast, I was lucky to catch these moments.     I think today I'll try painting the first one.  I didn't do any photoshop tricks here - this is just how it looked.

Leaves - checking on your progress

Did you play with leaves? We are having a cold snap tonite, so that means the leaves will drop fast now. They have survived a few wind storms but this will be the turning point. I can already feel the chill. So, tomorrow will be a good day to collect leaves to press. There is no rain so they will not be damp. You may know of special trees in your neighborhood or close by that have designer leaves. The Tiffany's of leaves. The Coco Chanel of leaves. Those are the ones you have to get NOW. There is a tree in the parking lot in front of the Conservatory of Music at the University. I parked under it for years, and could not resist picking them up on my walk to work. I'll have to pop over there tomorrow for my leaf fix.

The leaves in my own yard will need to be raked tomorrow.

I suggest you revel in the beauty of the season and get some leaves to use in your altered books.