Autumn Equinox

by Kirsty Mitchell, source https://www.facebook.com/artpeople1?fref=photo

Today is the Autumnal Equinox, the first day of Fall!

Mushrooms and Leaves

I'm still painting mushrooms and leaves. I went for a very long ramble in my woods a few days ago and came home with mushrooms piled atop my ancient volume of Lowell's poems that I had taken with me. I painted several of them, unable to resist their delicacy and lovely colors. Sadly, nearly all the purple asters seems to be gone.

All of these are available in my Etsy shop, https://www.etsy.com/shop/GraceSwan777

The Burning In My Heart: Autumn Leaves and Wild Winds

Looking at the autumn leaves blazing with fire on the trees, I can feel their light pouring into my soul and lighting me on fire from within. It's almost too much to bear to look at them for long, and yet I am a glutton for the beauty. The wind just fans the flames higher.

all photos by Grace Robert

Autumn Leaves Inspiration

I've been so inspired and excited by the advent of fall that I've painted enough stuff to start up my Etsy shop again. Here are a few of the lovely leaves that have been my muses.

Cold Fronts and Early Mornings

This morning I dragged myself out of bed at 6:00 as part of my effort to to become an early riser... and I was immediately rewarded. A cold front had blown in over night, and after finishing breakfast, the wind blowing outside the window coaxed me outside and into the crisp, cool air. What delight to feel that first tingle of fall in my fingertips! Even as I write this, I am listening to the rush of the wind in the trees and breathing in the scent of woodsmoke. Numerous plants are blooming their last few rounds of flowers before it becomes cold for good in the next month or two.

First came the lovely, glowing roses... 

Then the lovely "surprise lilies," which sprang up after all the rain.

The gardenias are still blooming away as well, and there are spiderworts all over the yard, hiding in the ivy and grasses.

This lovely morning glory had its face turned toward the morning sun.

And last, but not least - the first real sign of fall. Gather ye rosebuds while you may, because soon it will be chilly and damp!