Let It Be

Posted by in Blog, Oil Painting, small spaces special places, still life
Let It Be

Cue up one of my favorite Beatles’ songs “Let It Be” as you read this post today, gentle reader! And, even though today’s image is a leaf gently floating to the ground, the words “let it be” are totally relevant. Before I share more, I want to welcome you and new readers too first. So here we go.

Small Spaces Special Places 

Welcome new readers! Each year, I select a theme for my weekly paintings. This year’s is “Small Spaces Special Places.” Why? I have been surprised, even delighted, with the small spaces in our house that have captured my eye.

Also, there are the special places I see on my daily dog walks. Each morning, rain or shine, I love getting outdoors and looking for things to paint. Sometimes, if the conditions are just right (read calm), I paint while paddling in my kayak. As I am a bit of a klutz, this doesn’t happen often. Some weeks, like this one, I paint what I see on a morning walk: a delicious oak leaf transitioning from green to red and gold. Oohh la la I love this time of year. But, I digress. ;-D

Anyway, if you are not subscribing to this blog yet and think you might enjoy a weekly dose of unique artwork and musings on life, sign up here. Let’s get to this week’s topic!

Leaf Let It Be?

Yes! This week’s painting is inspired by the season and this New York Times op-ed by Margaret Renkl entitled Opinion: The First Thing We Do, Let’s Kill All The Leaf Blowers. It describes a simple solution to managing all the leaves that are falling off the trees this time of year. The solution? Let It Be!

If you’re afraid of having a less than tidy yard, feel free to rake those leaves into your flower beds. You will be amazed at what happens next spring. Your garden will be so happy to have those leaves to slumber in this fall. Here’s more information from a gardening guru about how you can let your leaves be.

The Painting

But wait, this isn’t a gardening blog, it’s a blog about painting! So let’s get back on subject here with a photo of “Let It Be” which is a 5×5 inch oil painting on panel. It’s floating through the clouds as it prepares to gently land in a nearby garden. And, yes, it’s for sale for $100. Simply click on the Paypal button below the image to make it yours.

Let-It-Be-5x5-inch-oil-painting-on-panel-by-Julie-Dyer-Holmes

Thank you

There you have it gentle reader! Thoughts on fall and leaves and why sometimes it’s easiest to just “Let it Be.” Don’t you agree? Even if you don’t (or do), please share your thoughts in the comments below and thank you for reading here today.

6 Comments

  1. Denise Todloski
    November 11, 2021

    From one garden lover to another, FANTASTIC links to leaf and garden articles, many thanks! Oh yes, it’s a painting blog too, lovely work, as always, friend. : )

    Reply
    • Julie Holmes
      November 11, 2021

      Thanks Denise! Bet your garden is wonderful to see…even as the seasons change here in the fall. Mine? Eeek…needs some work. Thank goodness I can let leaves ‘be’ while I figure out what else to do in the yard. Ha!

      Thanks so much for reading and commenting here you! xoxo

      Reply
  2. Beth Dyer Clary
    November 11, 2021

    Julie!! Thanks for all of this! Timing is perfect. For the articles and my insane leaf-blowing neighbors!!

    AND the painting has that bit of whimsy I love about your artwork. Just a beautiful leaf and then those magnificent clouds!

    Thanks again!

    Reply
    • Julie Holmes
      November 11, 2021

      Hi Beth,

      Sure! It’s crazy how many people seem to think leaf blowing is the only solution to yard maintenance. Just the noise alone makes me cranky! Good luck managing your neighbors…yipes!

      I love that you used the word whimsy in your response to this painting. It is definitely a word that I seek now a days. And, the floating feeling of both the leaf and the clouds. Yay! Thanks so much for reading and commenting here.

      xoxo

      Reply
  3. Alexandra
    November 12, 2021

    Love that leaf! You captured such a variety of colors in that one form. I also love the almost surreal quality of the painting (reminds me of Magritte). And, yes, leaf blowers be damned! This season I am actually reading more and more about how we should just leave the leaves alone (pun intended) or at least gather them in one part of the yard. (Maybe people were talking about this before but I’m just now paying attention!) We also have ours naturally mulched when the lawn is cut. Wonderful thought-provoking blog as usual.

    Reply
    • Julie Holmes
      November 16, 2021

      Hi Alexandra,
      Thank you for taking a close look at this leaf painting. It is one of the (rare) paintings that just flows. You know? Gah! I cherish the experience of this type of painting because when it happens it feels like ‘magic!’

      And, ya buddy, the leaf blowing ‘industry’ is a mess. I have such fond memories of jumping into leaf piles that we had raked off our lawns as a kid. So definitely guilty of moving the natural (leaf) powerhouses around.

      If we lived near each other, we could invite each other over to jump in the leaf piles that we leave in our yards! Ah well, I guess we can do this from afar. The bonus will be all the bugs, food and goodness for birds and other wildlife next spring, right?

      Thanks so much for reading and commenting (and the sweet Magritte comment – wow ;-D) here! xoxo

      Reply

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