A couple of weeks ago I was walking in a nearby park with my husband and 2 dogs, and we were right by the edge of the woods.  All the trees around us were at the height of their fall color, vibrant oranges, reds and yellows.

You know the kind of fall day where the branches of the trees are a wet-looking charcoal gray against the bright colors of the leaves?  And the air has just the slightest bite of cold to it?  And the sky is bright and gray at the same time, and just a little stormy?

And there’s enough wind so the leaves fall down all at once around you in great big gusts, and you can hear your feet making crunching noises and the many tiny sounds of dried leaves hitting the ground?  It was that kind of day.

It was late in the afternoon but still light out, and the gray sky was broken up by streaks of peach-colored light near the horizon, hinting at the beginning of sunset.

Here is my attempt to paint the magical feeling of that day.

Falling Leaves, 40 x 30″, Oil on Canvas

Hanging art with fall colors like reds, oranges, and browns can give a room a warm and stimulating atmosphere.  I particularly like to use these earthy tones in the living room area.

Cedar Lee

View Comments

  • Well said, the imagery terrific. I love the point of view for this painting. Made me feel like I was standing right there!

  • Cedar, I agree with both Kathleen and Pam! I feel like I'm right there. How I LOVE Fall! love, grandma

  • Grandma & Stephanie, I'm glad you are feeling this painting! It's windy right at this moment and I can hear my wind chimes outside, and see the leaves blowing around. It's a beautiful time of year. :-)

  • Every now and then someone is able to capture that almost indescribable feeling of being connected to our natural world. Nature is a great mystery, in a sense to us. I love the quote: "I would rather live in a world where my life is surrounded by MYSTERY than live in a world my mind could comprehend it." (Harry E. Fosdick, lived 1878--1969, American clergyman and professor). It is so easy when we are children to be in awe of nature, but so hard after we have grown and "matured" to be able to experience the magical feelings again, until someone gently reminds us again--thanks for the reminder, Cedar Lee!

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