Leaves, Color and the inspiration of change

When I was in 2nd grade we had a family reunion picnic at Bear Mountain State Park. It was October and it must have been peak leaf weekend that year!  The entire park was filled with a carpet of the most magical eye popping color this 6 year old had ever experienced.

I spent most of the day joyously collecting leaves.  Each one was a surprise and delight. The memory is SO vivid I can see it, feel it and smell it. I was so absolutely captivated and lit up by the colors.

I am still that person picking up leaves every fall. Delighted with any and all I find. When my daughter was little I came up with dozens of projects for us to make with them - and it gave me an excuse to collect them with her.  I have decorated with them, photographed them, painted, sketched, and just sat in awe of them.

I bring them to classes I teach - the range of colors in a single fall leaf is astounding. Great practice for wet on wet watercolor painting, or blending colors without losing the purity and beauty of each hue.

No matter how many decades pass, every fall, there will always be a bit of that 6 yr old picking up leaves, gathering color, collecting magic.

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