The Spaces In Between

Sharp changes in season and time happened when I worked in retail. We prepped months ahead of time, changing merchandising and anticipating the next season’s items to sell. Things were a hard stop, July meant back to school set up, September started sales for fall, and by the end of the month, it was Christmas as far as the stores were concerned. One promo ended, the next began. One day it was hot weather, the next it seemed it was snow.

I am much more aware of the tiny changes between the seasons now that I am far removed from the hustle of life outside the home. September 1st is here, and July greenery has faded to a yellowish cast, hastened by drought conditions we endured all summer. The few black walnuts that have fallen so far have been void of fruit- not a good omen for the upcoming winter and wildlife.

The only thing that moves quickly is the kids growing up- they seem little forever, then I notice pants that are too short and shoes that don’t fit well. That really happens in the blink of an eye.

Today I watched the sunlight in the music room- It was a cool white, and at a strange time of day for it- Autumn is coming, the wind even says so. The sunshine was deceiving for our walk- tee shirts could have been replaced by light sweaters. The change, though, is lingering- this is the space in between, the end of summer and the upcoming cold.

I think often of this with my work. I have a series of landscapes featuring the black walnut trees that line our property that will be going to the ARTery Gallery in Milford PA for the next several months. Timely, I thought, with the seasons passing- the landscapes are the moments of waiting, watching time pass- the end of fall, the leaves are gone from the trees, but winter has not covered the ground. These paintings are about the reaching and waiting of the trees, and the pause before the next thing. We spend so much time in between things- big and little moments in life- sometimes we don’t think we will ever get to the next step. My hope is the work will remind us to look at the moment we are in, see what it’s between, and appreciate it as a gift.