Refresh Daily: Transience

Glorious leaves! Love the copper and gold hues in contrast to the stone sidewalk underneath. Copyright Image 2016 by Dawn Herring

At the tail-end of autumn, I was out for a walk on my usual block in my neighborhood. It was bright sunshine with lots of wind, blowing the leaves from one end of the sidewalk to the other. 

As I began my cross over, a thought occurred to me that as the wind drives the leaves away, they will never be seen again in their beauty in the exact same spot. Once they're gone, that's it. 

So I became compelled to capture the beauty of leaves exactly as they were At That Moment in Time. I was totally in the moment as a result. I must have taken over 30 pictures in the space of 10 minutes. I felt blown away by the beauty and yet felt the overt transience of the moment, the position of my subject matter, and the great realization that I would not be the same after this moment. 

LIFE is Transient. In all of its dimensions. From one moment to another. In our way of life, our day to day existence, our relationships, our routines, our work, our health. Everything changes from one moment to the next, and you can never know quite what to expect. 

So I must make the best of each moment. Seize the moment while you have it. Slow down long enough to take it all in. Like I did on this day. 

This moment and time really spoke to me. Sometimes it surprises me what comes to me during these times on my walk when I'm truly open to what nature has to share. 

Love how the veins stand out on these leaves against the darker background of the sidewalk. Copyright Image 2016 by Dawn Herring

Juxtaposition of leaves to cracks in the sidewalk. Copyright Image 2016 by Dawn Herring

I simply love what appears to be Gold on Gold with brilliant sunshine highlighting the leaf's surface. Copyright Image 2016 by Dawn Herring

Copper and Gold complements. Copyright Image 2016 by Dawn Herring

As I took one snapshot after another, I became mesmerized by the variety of shapes, the varying colors, the brilliance of sunshine on the leaves in contrast to the sidewalk colors, stone-looks, and background nuances that caused the leaves to really pop out at me. I felt as if I didn't want to pass any up since they all seemed frozen in time just for my camera! 

Leaves have truly been a fascinating subject matter for me visually, both as an image taker and as an artist, and that day just put them even more in the spotlight. And when I was finished and satisfied with my time, my adventure, and the gift those leaves gave me, I returned home to view my images and was amazed as to the color and variety of treasure I now contained and planned for future enjoyment. 

I would say that Autumn 2015 truly left its mark on me; it had a lot to say and my heart is full. 

Notice the background gold spotting on the sidewalk creating an interesting context for the leaf itself. Copyright Image 2016 by Dawn Herring

A lone leaf in all of its golden glory. Copyright Image 2016 by Dawn Herring

I love the contrast of red leaf against the spotted and speckled sidewalk. Copyright Image 2016 by Dawn Herring

The reds and golds still present late in the season. Copyright Image 2016 by Dawn Herring

Journaling Prompt: 
Have you ever had an experience that truly made you realize how transient life is? How did this experience alert you to this? What impact did it have on you? Did you feel changed by this realization, and if you did, did you change anything about the way you do life as a result? 

Art Journal Prompt: 
Using the word, Transience, create a visual that shows your understanding of how being in the moment can change the way you experience life. Use images that are transient in subject matter. Use colors that remind you of the changeability of every day life. 

Love the turning of the colors and layering of the leaves. Copyright Image 2016 by Dawn Herring

Juxtaposition, layering and varying hues delight. Copyright Image 2016 by Dawn Herring

Fiery reds and glorious golds. Copyright Image 2016 by Dawn Herring