Thursday, September 26, 2013

Bittersweet Berries in Gold

7 1/2" x 11"
Arches 140#CP

While visiting my mom, I would often take a short walk along the woodland roadsides that border my sister's road. I am always enthralled by the treasures I find in these 'wild' areas. This year, the bittersweet had already set seed and the berries were mustard in color - a deeper brown/yellow than the leaves I've painted. I plucked a bit of branch to bring inside to paint. After a few hours, though, the golden husks of the berries had shattered, exposing the most glorious orange/red seeds ... and creating the subject ripe for painting.

As the days went by, I found more 'shattered' husks as more of the golden bittersweet turned crimson with seed and brightened the roadside foliage. Leaves were beginning to turn color in earnest, and I was enjoying the orange, gold and russet of the sassafras as well as the bright red of sumac.

Here at home the sycamore and tulip poplar have already turned a rich mustard/gold and in some cases, earth-brown as they fall fast from the trees.

I really do love this season, and it won't be long before I'll have enough under my feet for crunching!

5 comments:

Lorraine said...

Oh this is gorgeous Lin. Love the sunny rich colors. And your description of the transformation of bittersweet is perfect. I remember it well. Such glorious waxy surface to the berries when they are fresh. A great decoration for Fall.

Thanks for a lovely reminder via a beautiful painting.
Hugs,
Lorraine

Joan Tavolott said...

Lovely!!! Beautiful colors that shout autumn.

Capt Elaine Magliacane said...

Wonderful... not familiar with these. Love the colors of Fall can't wait to see more from you as the season progresses.

Debbie Nolan said...

Lin this is eye stopping...I love bittersweet...the colors in this painting really pop. Sounds like you are finding much to paint with all those colors starting to show. The sumac is turning red here now and really is starting to put on a show. Have a great weekend.

Teri said...

So beautiful Liin.