Contrast

Fall is my favorite time of year.  Not only is it cooler, but I actually enjoy seeing gardens going to seed and not showing me their full summer glory.

I took this photo while walking with a friend in the Botanic Gardens this week and looking at it now, it reinforced an essential art concept.  Contrast.

This is something I struggle with the most.  Adding darks to my work.  I will print out this photo and hang it on my wall to remind me that adding darks enhances the lights.  No one would ever see the pointed leaves surrounding this pod if the inside of the pod was also green.  And, the black also creates depth, drawing our eye into the center of the seed pod.  

Nature tells us a lot, if we can only listen.