**Part 1: Original Painting Mini-Series;  Interpretation of the Seasons**

*Hey Y'all,* 

*R*ecently, I took a break from painting my normal portraits and landscapes to test some different brushes and allow myself a mental vacation of sorts. 

*S*ometimes it can be fun to let the mind wander and create without any concern for following all the rules about shadow, light, form, or realism. In this mini-series I looked to nature for inspiration. Nature is both chaotic and rhythmic at the same time. There's always something in the natural world that inspires me to create. 

*A*lso, I purchased a 15 brush set from Amazon a few years ago (!) that I had yet to use fully, so I decided to finally give the remaining brushes a go. After painting this mini-series, I discovered the smaller brushes in the set seem to have a softer feel while painting, which I don't usually prefer. When using soft brushes I feel like I have less control in the stroke, and the paint lays down in a "blobby" way. 

*B*ecause we're on the cusp of winter in the western hemisphere right now, I also wanted to acknowledge seasonal change in this series. 

*E*ach piece represents a particular season, using shapes and colors that symbolize something about that specific time of year. 

*C*onsidering we're at the very end of autumn now, here is "Contemplation", which I made to simultaneously represent- (1) the shift from vibrant life to guarded patience and (2) making arrangements for hardship. The muted browns, reds and yellows are like the changing colors of foliage and the trees going back to their exposed, seemingly lifeless branches. 

*L*ike the plants in fall, we reach a point in life where we have to set aside traits in ourselves that were once vibrant, but are now a burden in tough times, and prepare to harden ourselves for cold, desolate survival, knowing that we too will have our day to re-emerge on the other side of winter.


![img_0.8256841406086918.jpg](https://images.ecency.com/DQmQRMoTn2bb4uXitD8BAQmFN13E8JsMXR8pMZhPYPYDHS3/img_0.8256841406086918.jpg)


![img_0.18166603132584908.jpg](https://images.ecency.com/DQmdnV3iJYS5uJTCNxNhPuU75XtJGasKbX71Djpf8t7UGqN/img_0.18166603132584908.jpg)


![img_0.6783081830846316.jpg](https://images.ecency.com/DQmbyR33ZCk2m6WNvHvwpgVK1AZXcWxx1fu2uTWF5bTP5VN/img_0.6783081830846316.jpg)


![img_0.9366518659863219.jpg](https://images.ecency.com/DQmbq9xFwmWhGzCQjvHyZmTANQ7qVkGcqi3Z7HU5K16pyFA/img_0.9366518659863219.jpg)


![img_0.6383878192290554.jpg](https://images.ecency.com/DQmZXjDGm5J42kzV3GkxSqFKBdJk5z6TH11crbsY1Ljir1z/img_0.6383878192290554.jpg)


![img_0.6747478238508267.jpg](https://images.ecency.com/DQmeovrJ79d2jvhBt4bHhwAXD2MfNB1TCHsVjFGvYiTANtW/img_0.6747478238508267.jpg)


![img_0.5296810490218581.jpg](https://images.ecency.com/DQmUhJBkPsLn2KeNSRpho7vdM68NgyZBHGg1RNr3sSVN7oo/img_0.5296810490218581.jpg)
Contemplation 12"x12" acrylic on paper 2021


**Stay tuned for the rest of this series:**
○Winter- Solitude 
○Spring- Rejoice 
○Summer- Serenity 
●Fall- Contemplation 

Thank you for reading! Enjoy something you love today. 

Until next time, 
-S