The sky is free of the grey smoke and the air ash-free from the Northern California wildfires. After weeks of being cooped up inside and eager to feel the outdoors again, we decided to go on a Sunday drive to one of our favourite local haunts looking for autumn colours.
What we found, however, was a grim sight. Instead of trees blooming with ruby red and golden yellow leaves, we found burnt, straw-yellow leaves still clinging on to charred black trees. There were utility trucks everywhere, taking those trees down before another incoming red alert or high fire danger last Sunday.
This saddened me so much that after coming back home, I went through my photos and sketchbooks for signs of autumn. These photos were taken a few years back before the continuous wildfires started.
Capturing one of the leaves in my sketchbook as Autumn Red.
I spotted autumn colours as early as August that year. Autumn Yellow Maple was another painting of a found leaf.
I love being outside in the rain. Last year, during one such afternoon of raking leaves, I picked up a few treasures.
Afterwards, I promptly drew them in my sketchbook.
Falling Leaves will always be special to me, painted in my new atelier surrounded by the ones I love.
My wrist continues to heal, but it is still in a splint. Thank you for being so patient with my delayed replies and visit backs.
No matter what it has been like for you during the current times, I hope you are taking a little time to enjoy the outdoors. It is a precious thing that we often take for granted.
Until next time,
-Soma
I am linking up with the linky parties on my Events And Links page. Please pay a visit to some of them. They are a wonderful bunch!
51 thoughts on “Falling Leaves”
Tammie December 5, 2020 at 14:39
Hello,
How did I miss this post?
The leaves are beautiful and your leaves are beautiful. Brings the spirit of fall to life again…. I still have some snow out my windows, i know it is autumn still, but it has felt like winter for at least 6 weeks.
Sending you a bright smile.
handmade by amalia November 27, 2020 at 09:20
A beautiful tribute to leaves, reminds me of that beautiful French song, Autumn Leaves.
Amalia
xo
Tanza Erlambang November 10, 2020 at 04:10
beautiful leaves and images…. I love the red one.
Have a great day
Carol S. November 9, 2020 at 08:11
You have such an amazing gift to capture the beauty of those leaves. It’s sad that the fires have taken so much from nature the last few years. Thank you for sharing!
RachelSwirl November 7, 2020 at 09:18
Your artwork is phenomenal! I love the shading of each of the leaves – wow! Thanks so much for sharing and for linking up with #MySundaySnapshot.
Darren Coleshill November 6, 2020 at 08:15
Oh wow, they jump from the page. So stunning
Thank you for linking up to #MySundayPhoto
Donna November 6, 2020 at 02:42
Autumn leaves are one of my favourite things. These are beautiful! x
chickenruby November 6, 2020 at 02:02
Must be so sad to see the charred landscape with no sign of colour #mysundayphoto
Eileen November 6, 2020 at 01:44
Hello,
I am glad the smoke has cleared. Lovely photos and views, the leaves are lovely. Your paintings are beautiful.
Take care, enjoy your day! Wishing you a happy weekend!
Dawn aka Spatulas On Parade November 5, 2020 at 06:04
Your leaf drawings are amazing. Very realistic.
Dawn aka Spatulas On Parade
Lady Fi November 4, 2020 at 23:41
Your leaf drawings are beautiful!
Sarah MumofThree World November 4, 2020 at 22:48
So sorry to hear about the charred trees. That must have been such a sad sight. I love your drawings though – they seem to jump out of the page.
My Corner of the World November 4, 2020 at 22:42
There is a special beauty in fallen leaves, I think. Your photos and sketches capture it well.
It’s great to see your link at ‘My Corner of the World’ this week!
Gillena Cox November 3, 2020 at 15:19
Sad about the burnt environment now.
Luv your leaf paintings. Nice mosaics
I am at #23 on the linky
Muchlove
Luisella November 3, 2020 at 02:42
Falling leaves are tiny treasures full of colours and patterns.
All the best!
Alison Hall November 3, 2020 at 01:59
It’s so sad to see the desolation wreaked by those wild fires.
Your leaf art is simply stunning!
Alison xx
Veronica Lee November 2, 2020 at 21:36
Your leaf drawings are incredible!
So glad that the smoke has cleared.
Stay safe!
Angie Winter November 2, 2020 at 19:15
Soma – your advice is spot on, whether it is time outside or some other activity we treasure – we should never take them for granted! I feel your anguish with the loss of the beautiful countryside …. here’s praying that Mother Nature will find a way to heal and flourish once again. Thanks for sharing your artistry with everyone at Mosaic Monday!
Michelle November 2, 2020 at 18:48
Look for your leaf drawings to be featured in this week’s Creative Compulsions. :D
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
BLOGitse November 2, 2020 at 07:59
Your drawings/paintings are really beautiful!
Cathy Keller November 2, 2020 at 05:27
It is so sad that many have suffered by the wildfires. Your artwork is a beautiful reminder of what we look forward to in their return. Wishing you well and a wonderful week.
Natalie November 2, 2020 at 01:18
hello,
what kind of media do you use? what is in the box?
Autumn is beautiful :)
Michelle Keltner November 1, 2020 at 16:50
Glad the smoke has cleared. Your paintings are very beautiful. I admire your talent! Thanks for linking up and have a great week.
sam November 1, 2020 at 08:02
It is so sad to see the burnt trees :( However, the photos of the autumn colours are beautiful X
Kim Carberry November 1, 2020 at 06:33
I am glad the smoke from the fires have cleared. It must be lovely to get back outside again. So sorry everything near you is looking so grim.
Jenni November 1, 2020 at 04:33
That’s so sad, hopefully they will be able to start growing again soon #sundaysnapshot
Tamar A Strauss-Benjamin November 1, 2020 at 04:03
Gorgeous sketches!
Kim November 1, 2020 at 02:21
It is so sad the damage the wildfires have caused there, Soma. It is sad that the autumn colours aren’t what they are in previous years. But….your gorgeous leaves give a wonderful sense of the colours of autumn in past years. Your leaves are sublime. I particularly love those leaves with the shadows….the shadows take the leaves to another dimension; so pretty.
Carol November 1, 2020 at 02:20
The burnt trees are very sad – fires are so destructive. #MySundayPhoto
riitta k November 1, 2020 at 00:07
You have painted the autumn leaves so gracefully. One big maple in my garden still sparkles in yellow, the other three have dropped their leaves days ago. I don’t know why this different rythm. I wish your wrist heals well and quickly. Warm greetings, riitta
Linda K October 31, 2020 at 14:52
so sad about the fire devastation.
On another note, your fall leaf drawings are divine!
NatureFootstep October 31, 2020 at 01:00
how sad to expect fall colors and meet fire burnt landscape. :(
Glad you had some images and artwork to compensate just a little. I too have a habit of picking leafs and nuts to bring home. But as I am not that godo at drawing I glue them on paper :)
I love your drawings.
Take care!
Shannon McGee October 30, 2020 at 22:03
Love the colors. The changing of the leaves seemed to happen very quickly here in PA. Hubby and I missed some it being cooped up inside.
Tracey October 30, 2020 at 16:33
So sad to read about how the fires have been so destructive but beautiful how you have captured those leaves with perfection upon your pages, even the shadows they cast looks amazing.
Stay safe Happy PPF Tracey x
Michelle October 30, 2020 at 12:23
Your paintings are beautiful, Soma! I’m so sorry the fires destroyed so much. It’s really heart-breaking. I didn’t know you injured your wrist, but I am glad you are on the mend.
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
Linda Calverley October 30, 2020 at 12:09
It’s very sad about the burnt trees. Lovely art work of leaves, I was walking among lots of leaves today.
Nadya King October 30, 2020 at 09:58
Lovely paintings – you captured these leaves beautifully!
Our first weeks of September we had those surreal Smokey skies in Oregon, from our own wildfires, and horrible air quality for a time. The photos of the devastation and communities affected are heartbreaking. It makes me appreciate our usually clean Air, and the fall colors around me.
Janine Green October 30, 2020 at 09:27
I’m sorry the wildfires have ruined your trees. Your paintings are beautiful. Very realistic and I love the way you’ve done the shadows to make them so dimensional. Take care :)
Mary October 30, 2020 at 07:49
The fires change the landscape so dramatically. I am always amazed to see the signs of old fires in the forests. The regrowth, although many years in the making, looks so lush and healthy. There are so many areas of dead trees and I know one lightening spark will change that in an instant. You folks up there have had such horrible fires the last few years. I’m really sorry that your visit had to witness it. Your leaf art is so beautiful and realistic. I feel as though I could just pick up one of those red leaves.
Elke October 30, 2020 at 07:19
Wonderful drawings and photos of Autumn !
Have a good autumn time, Elke
Christine October 30, 2020 at 07:09
Beautiful leaf art!
Rain Frances October 30, 2020 at 05:45
I love how you did the shadows! That’s such a shame about the trees, but so happy to hear the air is clean enough to breathe in again. xx
Nicole/DVArtist October 30, 2020 at 05:19
Wonderful photos and drawings. Here on the Oregon coast we don’t get much change in the leave with the type of trees we have. We have to go inland for that. However, like Ca. we have had more fires this year than ever before. Be safe out there.
Valerie-Jael October 30, 2020 at 00:29
So sorry that your joy in Autumn colours has been spoiled by the aftermath of those awful fires. Love Your leaf art! Have a good weekend, stay safe, hugs, Valerie
Laurie October 29, 2020 at 16:46
Beautiful leaves! I have been taking time to hike outdoors with my husband lately. such a gorgeous time of year. Love the autumn colors and the smell of fallen leaves.
sue October 29, 2020 at 14:55
It is horrible to see the devestation from fires. Good to hear you can get outside and also good to hear you are healing. Lovely autumn leaf painting and drawing.
A ShutterBug Explores October 29, 2020 at 14:44
So sad all the forest fires ~ Yet, you have created beauty here ~ divine artwork and photos ^_^
Live each moment with love,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Dixie October 29, 2020 at 13:37
So sorry to read about the devastation. The photos you took a few year’s ago of the autumn colours are so lovely.
Your autumn leaves paintings are very pretty, Soma.
The Joyful Quilter October 29, 2020 at 13:28
What a beautiful selection of Autumn themed paintings, Soma!
Titti October 29, 2020 at 11:34
What a lovely post! Love the colours and the paintings…
Take care and have a great week!
Titti
Susan October 29, 2020 at 11:32
The colors here in Michigan this Fall have be gorgeous. I try to go out for a walk every day. I usually end up picking up several fallen leaves and bringing them home. Some I press in a book and others I leave out just to enjoy until they shrivel up. I am so sorry you don’t have pretty trees this year. But at least you can go outside now.