a love letter to late fall
as someone who grew up primarily in the northeast (and of english and swedish descent) a love for the cooler seasons seems to be sewn into my veins. when early winter knocks at my drafty door and nearly all the leaves drop, an instinctual shift begins. my body craves longer nightly rest, warm, heavy foods, and slow wet walks through forests. every year that passes i become more in tune with the nuances of late fall and early winter, and it’s slowly become my favorite season (although i say that about almost any season when i’m in it, which is part of the beauty of them).
regardless of the particulars of time, each one sends me, brimming with ideas, straight into the studio. seasonal shifts have always served as fuel for my creative practice. seasons bring change. seasons add context to time. seasons are a way of remembering, evoking nostalgia and emotion, but also a means to envision.
to me, this time of year is pure bliss. the newfound darkness. the clouds sitting low and heavy. the cool light and stark shadows. bask in it with me?
a matter of pride, gary bunt
upon first discovery of gary bunt’s nostalgic depictions of life in the rural english countryside, i immediately felt the warmth of the magic he finds in the ordinary. but after learning more about his background (alcoholism, being diagnosed with cancer, using art as therapy, painting an old man in fear that he wouldn’t make it that far), i’m reminded of one of my favorite aspects of art — yes, the visual may catch our attention, but often there’s much more keeping us there than we initially realize. i enjoy learning about what a painter has gone through in their life, what has led to them create this work. i feel a kinship without even knowing the artist.
the country schoolmaster, andrew wyeth
before knowing much about andrew wyeth (1917-2009), his work began to show up on my pinterest feed (love a coffee & pinterest morning ritual). you might also recognize one of his most famous works, christina’s world. a fellow pennsylvanian, his somber palette evokes the sensation of northeast winters, and i adore how his work contemplates the quiet beauty of life on the land. throughout his career, his paintings were often dismissed as too illustrative or overly sentimental (i appreciate hearing critique from the art world of some of humanity’s most gifted artists, makes me feel less alone), but i agree with npr’s description, “realist painter had an eye for magic.” i can’t wait to learn more about him.
the blue room, harriet backer
norwegian artist harriet backer (1845-1932) began her career as a portrait painter, but her interior scenes are what she became best known for. she lived during a time when women weren’t allowed to attend art academies, so she sought out private instruction and eventually received an honorable diploma. i am so drawn to her interiors’ rich colors and contrast (she was also inspired by the impressionists). she actually painted her interiors by lamplight, which resulted in long, mysterious shadows. it’s a vibe. i’d say a very late-fall-early-winter one at that. *heart eyes*
ways I am embracing late fall
in bed at (or before, let’s be honest) 9pm
reading rest is resistance: a manifesto
more candles, fewer lights
9 hours of sleep/night
thrifting lots of wool
taking advantage of my boyfriend’s fireplace (dewey is a fan, too)
allowing myself shorter studio sessions
soups (favorites: butternut squash & cozy autumn wild rice)
my annual (typically failed) attempt at knitting (i’m dying to make this balaclava)
-amanda
