The Hunt for Fall Leaves
“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life.” — Henry David Thoreau
Yesterday I decided to take a walk in the golden light of the morning bright sun lit streets. I didn’t have to wander far, a walk in the neighborhood was suffice.
I went with a mission, to collect pretty Fall leaves that caught my attention to share with my art students for a Fall leaf painting project that I’d like the students to do especially in the Fall semester.
I aimed to walk towards my favorite tree in the neighborhood, the bright red orange one that I admire so often from my kitchen window. On my way there, I was met by other trees I had passed by in other seasons and didn’t seem to notice. Yet, the colors on these trees’ leaves this time carried the whole world in just a leaf. An absolute geography of a world map. The geographic pattern on the leaf engulfed a mix of green, orange and red capturing the transition that occurs between the seasons from Summer to Fall.
I arrived at the “Inferno” tree, as I would like to call it due to its bright red orange, vermilion colored leaves and its huge size. I stood there amidst the tree under its large branches to take in its beauty while the sun bathed me with its warmth. It felt surreal, yet so real. I felt loved by this tree and welcomed in its enclave of golden leaves held by its strong dark branches. Awkwardly distracted, I saw a construction truck nearing by and I felt almost taken from this beautiful moment and thrown back again into the outside noisy world. I walked some more up the street to meet other trees and snap photos while collecting fallen leaves that speak to me. I came across the neighborhood’s black and tuxedo cats. I was barked at by feisty dogs behind fences. I said hello to neighbors walking their dogs while others didn’t even notice me since their eyes were stuck on their phones. I walked and walked and looked at the light running through the plants glistening shining, It was a good day!
I felt my frolic escapade of collecting Fall leaves reminded me of when I was a child at the beach collecting seashells, and getting very excited about them upon my return home, inspecting how beautiful they are. I arrived home, sat on my front door steps and admired my leaf collection. I looked at the delicacy in the tiny leaves and the color balance within the big ones. I felt I had to share this beauty and delight one can feel from a walk on a Fall day hunting for pretty Fall leaves that spark imagination and creativity. I knew the leaves will look different tomorrow and even more different the day after — Eventually, disintegrating and falling apart altogether. It is conceptual in this regard. The act of admiration of this Fall transitional phenomena, being in the moment of what is presented around us — this makes this whole creative excursion more precious!
* Vian Borchert, an established noted artist of many years, currently has her new paintings on exhibit in a show titled “Elevation” at the Framer’s Choice Gallery in Kentlands till Oct 31. The gallery is located at: 402 Main St, Gaithersburg, MD 20878. Gallery Hours: Mon-Sat: 10AM-3PM. This exhibit’s colors and themes blend skyscapes with landscapes and seascapes, elevating and tranquilizing the viewer’s consciousness. Link: https://www.vianborchert.com/e...
Not far from Montgomery County, in Baltimore accomplished artist Vian Borchert was invited to be part of the “Undercurrent” eco-art exhibition at the Gallery at CCBC Essex (The Community College of Baltimore County). “Undercurrent” exhibition presents artwork that depicts the Chesapeake Bay waterway’s ecology with a mix of celebration and fear for its continued health. Exhibition ongoing till Dec 1.
A recent interview was conducted with Vian Borchert where the artist talks about her latest art exhibitions near and far, in galleries and museums within the US, and how art can be a powerful healing force. Link: https://fineartshippers.com/ar...
