FOCUS ON TEXTURE AND PATTERN

Some people see dirt, I see paintings.

Autumn seems much more of a change to me than other seasons. Maybe because in the U.S. back-to-school patterns used to be set in September and I still respond to that anticipation. I know that in other places outside of California the temperature has dropped far below what we are experiencing with the dry high-eighties degree weather here. We won't get leaves turning color until the end of October or even November, but we still see the golden light of Autumn. The shadows slant longer across the road, the mornings are chilly, but the leaves that now drop are dry and dusty, more so because of the intense heatwaves we've lived through this summer.

This is a good time of year to look for patterns and textures. Even cement becomes interesting as layers of gravel are exposed and leaves, sticks, and berries fill the cracks. Looking at each separate leaf on the ground, I can see the vein pathways like small city maps that highlight the process of life of the leaf. 

I take pictures as I walk. I look for inspiration among the greys, taupes, yellow ochre, burnt siena, and burnt umbre colors that have fallen to the ground and worked their way into the creases, leaving me with patterns, shapes, and changes in value that I can draw and use to create a collage or painting. The principles of design -- balance, repetition, contrast, proportion, rythym, and pattern -- stick in my head and guide me to focus the camera so I can create a harmonious, pleasing design.

Back home, I draw the bones of some of the photos:

I select the second photo because of the contrast of darks and lights, the amount of large and small shapes, and the texture.

Then I add some earth tones with watercolor and black markings with a black china marker, which is waterproof.

I tear paper and lay it down to check the composition.

I glue those pieces down, but decide to add some paper that I had eco-printed with leaves and a circle with sumi-i ink calligraphic marks.

I'm still not satisfied with this piece yet. There is always gesso or more paper pieces to the rescue. Sometimes, though, the piece just is a good learning experience.

Good article from NASA about rising temperatures:

https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/147256/california-heatwave-fits-a-trend