Saturday, September 06, 2008

IF : Natural Clutter


I really thought long and hard about this word. It would have been so easy to show a photo of any room in my house, or the inside of my car or my work space at the soon to be abandoned studio. I thought about illustrating the chaos and clutter in my mind, especially lately while my husband and I try to figure the logistics of moving back home to Rhode Island.

Then my thoughts trailed off to my favorite season in New England, which if all goes according to plan we'll be back there just in time for peak foliage. I can almost smell those clear, crisp Indian Summer days from here.

Isn't it funny how some people become completely unhinged the moment the leaves start falling to the ground. What I see as Autumn's blanket, others see as clutter. I've even had a client apologize for the mess in her yard from her fallen Camelia blossoms. I stood there, dumbfounded.

I guess leafblowers have been salvation to some folks. To me, they disturb my peace and natural clutter.


Fifteen minute painting, acrylic and colored pencil on postcard stock for Illustration Friday's prompt: clutter. This is my last "IF" to be done at studio lolo. Dining room table, hold on!!

34 comments:

  1. this is magical, and peaceful and colourful altogether great. i love the look of autumn (fall) despite the fact that it signals another winter.hope your plans are coming together now (just keep the sight of those leaves you will see in your mind) and look forward to your diningtable art! lotsa wfs and lots lots more.

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  2. A wonderfully evocative painting. I do so agree that Nature's 'clutter' is the most beautiful of all!

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  3. The leaves look burnished gold. It's very gentle and soft.

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  4. Good luck with your move back East. Lovely colors in your painting. You made me feel a little better about the coming of fall here in NJ. Thanks.

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  5. the painting looks wonderful. and i'd like to also wish you a safe journey home.

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  6. We'd better find that rake in one quick hurry!

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  7. Oh gosh, this is so beautiful and autumanl!

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  8. Oh gosh, this is so beautiful and autumanl!

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  9. What a wonderful 'swan song' for Studio Lolo! A beautiful image, poignant and full of warmth. I'm one of your fall freaks and I hope you manage your move back to those glorious colours. You deservedly have a lot of people wishing you well for your adventure.

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  10. Woww 15 minutes and this beauty, you are a real artist!
    I almoost love autumn this way!
    Greetings >M<

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  11. This is so relaxing and beautiful. I love the leaves too. They look like jewels on the lawn when they first fall. It always seemed odd to me that people throw them away when they make such beautiful mulch.

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  12. Oh, my goodness! Have a safe and fun trip! We moved from the left coast back east almost 20 years ago - glad you'll be back to see the leaves change!

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  13. lovely post ms lolo and funny too - I'm just about to post my cluttered mind!

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  14. WOW. Fall is pretty and you captured it. I love fallen leaves, too!
    Thanks for the nice comment on my IF 'clutter' art. I think I accidently erased part of your comment and link. Not sure what I'm doing, I guess.
    Oh well, it's fun to share all of our attempts at art!
    Good luck with your big move!

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  15. How beautiful!!! I love the orange colors and fall.

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  16. oh wow you work fast and so wonderfully! autumn is so beautiful and you've captured it so well!

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  17. Such a beautiful warm color. :)

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  18. Run quickly! We still have to get out from under THE HOUSE. Could be a long journey; I hope yours is easily accomplished.
    Wonderful illustration. It's good to remember seasons.

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  19. thanks for your lovely comments on my blog, my dear friend, and do let me know the scoop on RI -- think of how close you would be!
    xxoo
    -EM

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  20. Oh, so beautiful! I just set this image as my desktop background on my computer at work. It makes me miss Massachusets...a little. Love you and wish you safe passage. See you soon! xxooxx

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  21. You know Laurel, some people see clutter and others see beauty. You see the beautiful side of life. Just think of all the wonderful things that will be produced on that table!!!
    Good luck on your move...a change like that would be so refreshing!

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  22. beautiful diffusion of color in this piece - wonderful autumn tones

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  23. OH, how I adore this painting. I miss the true call of an east coast autumn. Wow, I didn't realize you're actually making the move. How is this for you? I'm sure it's not a clear cut answer. But, I wish you all the luck and joy of relocating. I miss my family at times and especially watching my young nephews and niece grow up, and think about moving back sometimes....

    It' will be interesting to see how your art reflects this change.

    peace and joy to you ~M

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  24. This is so beautiful! The colors, the composition...well done!

    www.indigeneartforms.blogspot.com

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  25. Haha, I agree Laurel and look forward to the fallen leaves this Autumn. Wonderful work and hope you enjoy the table! ;)

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  26. One person's trash is another person's treasure...perhaps the analogy carries just as well to clutter. Being from New England myself, I've always thought the ground looked like some amazing quilt in fall. Best of luck with your move!

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  27. very moving and beautiful! I especially love trees and leaves :)

    Thank You for telling me about your dream, it sounds wonderful to me!

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  28. I'm so jealous, I want to move back east too. Leaf blowers are just evil. Thank you for a taste of fall, it's beautiful.

    (p.s. I think we're going to adopt our foster dog, he's stolen our hearts, except the cat's.)

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  29. This is such a beautiful tree and scene - I love it! The colors are incredible - and this looks like one of the best places to just sit and watch leaves and dream. Like you, I adore autumn - for me it's often a time of new adventures...

    I wish you so much good luck with all your moving and travels - and hope you get time to paint and draw - and have lots of fun:-)

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  30. autumn; my favorite month. miss the smell of burning leaves (grew up in the midwest where we burned leaves in the ditches every summer after raking all day long) and could do away with (entirely) the sound of leaf blowers.

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  31. Beautiful clutter that autumn carpet!
    I haven't seen the leaves turn that beautiful umber yet or fallen for that matter, but we'll soon be there too here in Quebec!
    Laurel, I am sure with a little patience, tolerance, persistence, peace of mind and a ton load of LUCK you will get where you want to be.

    I am looking forward to your dining table illustrations!

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  32. my fav season as well...the colors, as beautiful here as i remember them there in n.e.
    annnnnddd... DID YOU SAY YOU ARE HEADING BACK THIS WAY, LOLLLIE?

    holey ravens on big-bottomed peaches! hooray! i would head back up to r.i. to meet cha...you bet i would! :))

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  33. I love your autumn color. Very nice indeed.

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  34. This is such a fiery beauty! Really makes me miss autumns in New York. I can't believe you whipped it out so quickly! But that's what happens when you have passion for a vision, I guess.

    Good luck on your move. It's never easy relocating, but I hope you find a lot of love and happiness in your new home. Looking forward to seeing your posts again when you get settled!

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