"Lazy Poets"

I have heard many times from many artist about how they refuse to paint when the weather turns sour. I actually used to be one. If that golden ball in the sky was not shining just perfectly then I wouldn't bother leaving the cozy confines of my studio. Why would you? Who wants to paint in the clouds, cold, heat, rain, snow, and wind (actually I still hate the wind)?

Edgar Payne, the great California Impressionists, once wrote, “Nature does not capriciously scatter her secrets as golden gifts to lazy poets and luxurious darlings, but imposes tasks when she presents opportunities.” I believe what Payne is saying is that artist are going to have to overcome some of natures "tasks" to discover some of her intament beauty.

I believe today was one of those days. Fall lasted about 3 days this year. A cold winter blast hit southern Idaho hard droping temperatures some 30 degrees. I knew today I would face the rain, sleet, snow and a blasted 25 mph wind but I still decided to see what nature had in store and I wasn't disappointed.

I have never seen the warm golden hues of fall mixed with the icy cold snows of winter. It is a unique and amazing sight. The poor aspen trees were displaying their golden leaves while this winter blizzard blasted a fresh carpet of snow on the ground. The contrast between warm and cool was so drastic and yet suttle at the same time. This was a rare "opportunity" that nature revealed.

In the end, I could have played it safe and stayed in my warm, dry studio. I could have waited until the conditions were ideal. Yet, "lazy poets" never get "golden gifts".