Following the Fall

Arriving home from India in late October, I expected Missouri's fall colors to have faded and fallen, but I was greeted with ten days of gorgeous landscape before the rain and wind brought winter's first icy blast and ushered in the decline of the fall.

Our timing was perfect as we drove out of the Midwest, following the traces of Autumn through Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and down through the Florida panhandle. The tall pines take over in Alabama, but there are still a few deciduous trees to splash warm colors into the dull green palette that is the Southern landscape's winter wardrobe.

Where the warm Gulf breezes meet the winter wind that blew us in, a zone of perfect weather exists to feed the butterflies and hummingbirds before their migration across the water to Mexico. Just along the coast I found Plumeria and deep sunsets to replace the colors of Fall.

It is a true joy (and a miracle of planning) to be able to extend the season of color by traveling with the tilt of the Earth's axis to be in the best places at just the right moments. It's not always possible, but when we can we take full advantage of our nomadic lifestyle. Adventure on!

Kolkata - Lasting impressions

Kolkata, India was not on my bucket list, but I never pass up an opportunity for adventure, so I accepted the invitation to the International Art Meet Kolkata. As I did homework to learn about my destination I read a lot of negative impressions and found few photos enticing me to go, but I guessed there might be more to the picture than easily accessed online.

Not high on the list of India's tourist destinations, Kolkata's treasure is in it's people and their attitudes rather than a roster of tourist sites. The friends that I made were the ultimate reward for the chance taken. Of course there were a million visual rewards and inspirations to paint as well. I expect to be painting ideas from India over the next few months.

During the Art Meet I completed a few paintings, and a I finished a couple of them at home. The paintings I finished in Kolkata are now part of corporate collections there. The more complicated work just needed a few extra hours of time in my studio. I call this one "The Colors of Kolkata"

Any expectations I had for my visit to Calcutta were far exceeded. My passion for adventure burns even brighter, my reservoirs of inspiration filled to overflowing and my list of friends even richer. Thank you to Babita and Atinku Das for being such amazing hosts and to the new friends who welcomed me to India and shared this great adventure.