Golden

Have you seen the new painting that was discovered to be a Van Gogh original? The title is "Sunset at Montmajour" and it was painted in July of 1888. Long thought to be a fake it was stored in an attic (doesn't that seem to always be the case?) and then recently was brought to light and deemed to be an original after all. He (Van Gogh) actually mentioned the painting in a letter (to his brother I believe) and made a point of describing the romantic golden tones the sun had cast on the landscape. I personally love the hues in the painting and think it is a brilliant discovery. Here it is:

                                          photo: Peter Dejong/associated press

About a week ago I decided to go back to one of my regular haunts that I tend to go to when I need a break from the sirens and concrete, and school kids screaming in the school yard. (I am happy, they are outside and not on a computer 24/7, so I do forgive the screaming that comes along with chasing each other in a game of tag.) So armed with my camera, an apple, a notebook and a pen I set off on streetcar 506 to High Park.

It was the last full week of summer, and as I strolled along the tell tale signs of the approaching fall were everywhere. Still a ways away from the scarlet reds, and fiery oranges, there was however a golden hue to everything along with muddy, mossy, olive greens. Grasses were starting to dry up, the lily pads were getting a little mottled, and the acorns were falling. I took quite a few photos, not really with a 'purpose' but since photography is peaceful and enjoyable to me, it comes as a natural part of relaxing and stopping to admire and soak in my surroundings.

I spent about 5 hours in High Park, and at one point sat on a fallen log, ate my apple and pulled out my notebook and pen and started writing down what I was observing through sight, sounds, and smells. I then compiled the observations, and found that I had written something I wanted to share.

Once back home, I started editing the photos and as I did so I found I was highlighting the soft golden and earthy green hues that had pretty much been the palette of the park on that given day. I also fine tuned the notes I had made, and decided to actually put the words on one of the images I had taken that day.

Yesterday I was commenting on Mr. Van Gogh's painting and I suddenly realized that it was the same hues in High Park that I had been drawn too as Van Gogh seemed to be appreciate to

in 1888 when he painted "Sunset at Montmajour".

Hence the reason for this post. So I would like to share with you the words I wrote, and some of the photos I took that day. I'm no poet, and I can't paint, and I'm not a world renowned photographer. But I do share a passion for nature, colour, seasons and wildlife. Enjoy!

Its one of those dark dreary days in early fall when all you want to do is stay in bed or curl up with a good book. Well....if you are like me it probably will also include a long afternoon nap. Despite the gloominess, I still managed to find a moment to capture with the camera. Rain drops on the window and off in the distance fog wrapped around the office towers.

Recently, as part of the previously mentioned self discovery work, I started putting my thoughts and feelings down onto paper as a way to get them out of my head. The more I wrote out my thoughts, the more certain images popped into my head that helped me create an image to the thought I was having or express the feeling I was having at that moment.

With this particular photo it was a little different. I saw the rain on the window, and wanted to capture the moment because words were coming into my head as a result of the image, and not vice versa.

Now.. I'm no poet. I also don't write, other than the journal work. And in a group of people I am the one that remains silent, and listens and learns. But for whatever reason, these words came out, and I thought they very much suited this wet September day.