And on this beautiful fall day, my memories ripple over one another, like stones tripping over water. So writing about a central theme is not the goal for this day.
“Peoples thoughts can be a deep well, but someone with understanding can find the wisdom there.” ~ Proverbs 20:05
Do you ever have to stop and just look for awhile and say “Thank you?”
There is artistry in God’s provisions from the Earth and vine.
“We all live off his generous bounty, gift after gift after gift.” ~ John 1:16 (MSG)
A friend recently stated, “the world is hungry for beauty.” I do believe she is right! I take refuge in what I value and most appreciate. It’s been said we are products of what we surround ourselves with.
Many of the negative things that are happening in our midst, we can do little about but we can do something about our own personal environment in which we live. When you thirst, draw from your well or reservoir of what lifts your spirit and the spirit of others.
Today’s post is not quite as short as a tweet, but its about a sweet little thing that I am very grateful for!
I have a cool new summertime writing space, which gives me a bird’s eye view and I couldn’t be more pleased with it. So, how I view life and the nature of people who exist in it is coming to you from a new vantage point. One day I might even be led by the spirit to go out on a limb and write about something existentially profound.
It is a good day to settle in and ponder what that even means!
Is it any wonder our Creator is called the most Masterful Artist of all? This fascinating collage in the yellow garden in Monkton, MD at Ladew Topiary Gardens was formed by nature’s reflection and the natural ecosystem.
More than fifteen visual artists stopped by the weekly gathering yesterday on May Day, to say, “Hey, take a look at my new painting!” It was a great day to be outside. The sun was shining and there was a gentle, moderately warm breeze which swept across the lawns and portico at the historic Palladian Mansion, “The Liriodendron.”
The art talk was as interesting as always, with creatives sharing their methodology and their visions about what they brought to various surfaces. The exchange of questions led to insight about their individual style preferences, favored art supplies and so much more, such as when their paintings will make their debuts in future local, statewide and regional shows or beyond. Thus, I restrain from posting photos of individual works of art, most of which were very colorful.
It was so good to be among these artists once again. The only disappointment was although the wisteria overhead was still dripping with flowers, their purple shades of color have faded to mostly shades of gray to white. Then watch out! It is known to become wild, carefree and unruly. The new shoots of green will quickly wind and twine along along anything they can grab onto and hug.
It was a fabulous May Day with some of the many talented Harford County artists at the historic home and estate of Dr. Howard Atwood Kelly and his wife Letitia.
Today, I’d like to share a piece of my writing, which has never been published, titled The Spring Outing! May you feel refreshed, renewed and encouraged by every new dawn during the Eastertide Season.
The Spring Outing
©Sue Batton Leonard 2004
*************
Winter’s chill has passed
I shall no longer shiver
Today, I am off to the river.
I’ll scamper
along with my hamper.
Go to the weeping willow
where there will be a soft pillow.
A mound of moss,
for my clean linen cloth.
Before me I’ve strewn,
A canteen of steeped tea
a silver fork, knife and spoon.
A spring onion tart
with ‘shrooms and cheese,
and a tasty salad of caprese.
A square of dark chocolate
is in the pocket.
I’ll save one cup
for after I’ve supped,
while watching spring erupt.
With the yellow forsythia branches
I’ll weave in tender pussy willows
dotted with long stemmed violets.
A crown to place on my head
before I lay on my makeshift bed.
Amidst snowdrops,
little bunny hops,
and silly daffodillies,
I’ll nap and dream
of summer’s August.
When aside the garden
I’ll sit in the long grass
Among the wildflowers mass
drinking chilled sassafras.
For me, plein air painting is about taking home memories – contemplating the subject with all senses. Smell, touch, temperature, weather – the feeling of warm sun or the start of a rainstorm, for example – and sound. ~ Melissa Jean
On October 6th, despite the calendar indicting fall had arrived, the lingering pleasant temperatures were perfect for a day of painting “en plein air” for artists who had gathered at Liriodendron Mansion. It was a cloudy day but there was no biting chill in the air. The setting for day one of a week long plein air painting festival sponsored by the Harford Plein Air Painters and Maryland State Arts Council, was a great venue.
The property was purchased in 1890 and the Palladian mansion “Liriodendron” was built as a summer home to Dr. Howard Kelly, his wife and nine children. He was one of the founding fathers of Johns Hopkins Medical College. Artist John Singer Sargent left a legacy painting for the college a long time ago when he painted Dr. Kelly along with the other the founding physicians. For more information on Dr. Kelly and his home, please visit this writing called Perfect Timing.
As I walked the beautiful and expansive grounds of Liriodendron Mansion (originally 196 acres but now about 100 acres) with tall tulip popular trees towering over me, and their pungent, earthy-odored, crunchy dried leaves beneath my feet, I watched artists paint. I became increasingly more excited about new art-related opportunities that will come with a move to Harford County and for a new season of life.
The day reminded me of one the most fabulous plein air painting experiences I have ever had the pleasure to witness on an outstanding ranch just before I moved from Colorado back to my native Maryland, two years ago, after a forty year absence. That day was also cloudy but it was also a joy-filled day. Here is a link to the blog if you are interested in reading about Harvesting Others Joy and seeing some wonderful pictures of the experience and the artists.
Here are a few photos from last week’s plein air festival in Harford County, Maryland. There were some wonderful works in progress. If you have never been to a plein air festival, do so! It is a great way to learn a little something about art and about the creative people behind the art!
Photo above & below: Artist Ray Ewing
(Pictured below: Artist Sandhya Sharma. She is originally from India and I enjoyed talking with her about her
her observations of art opportunities and the art connections she has made in America)
(Above: Artist painting indoors surrounded by archival Johns Hopkins medical ephemera of Dr. Howard Kelly)
Below: A few images on display and for sale from various other venues.
Artists are members of the Harford Plein Air Painters
Liriodendron (aka tulip poplar trees) are not quite yet in their full autumn splendor. But soon….as God intends it.
Mystery of Inspiration
©Sue Batton Leonard
Magical mistress, help me finish my book.
My pen is burning, yearning to see it complete. On Nook.
Writing the spirit befriends, transcends. Like a jigsaw,
filled with turning points, wonder and awe.
I’ve got another idea in mind, a different kind,
equally as fulfilling and revealing.
I must keep writing. Give into this urge, purge.
Magical mistress, keep me creating, articulating,
help me turn my actions into satisfactions.
Forevermore, I’ll be faithful and grateful.
The photo is from www.deviantart.com. Visit their website and check out their other fantastic images!
This blog brought to you by brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.
What a glorious summer it has been. It is the time of the year when I feel as if I have returned to days of my youth. An outpouring of memories come with that.
Over Labor Day weekend and for a few days next week I’d like to encourage our readers to check out some of the posts in the archives. You can look them up by category or scroll through the site. Something will catch your interest. There are over 1700 writings on All Things Fulfilling that have drawn 100,000+ viewers to this website.
Each of the postings is about something that has inspired me as a writer or as a human being to follow my own kind of bliss.
See you back here a little later in the week. I promise. Refreshed, rejuvenated and with a wealth of ideas that will come together between now and the New Year.
This blog is brought to you by award winning author Sue Batton Leonard. Her books include EVVY award -winner Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected and short stories Lessons of Heart & Soul.
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