Artistry

“All art is but imitation of nature.”

– Seneca the Younger

I’ve read somewhere the Santa Fe basin is filled with rose quartz that attracts the feminine, which in turn, attracts creativity. I’m not positive about this theory, but the enchanting nature and art I’ve been lucky enough to witness these past few weeks has literally stopped me in my tracks. I stand in wonder and awe, vowing to never cease my annual pilgrimages to the Land of Enchantment every fall.

I can’t begin to describe the extraordinary creativity I see on my morning and afternoon walks in Santa Fe’s historic east side, not only in nature but in artist creations. There is indeed something magical about this most creative of places known as Northern New Mexico where nature and art combine to create beauty.

Bronze horse and yellow leaves
Bronze horse and yellow leaves

The Beauty of Nature and Art

Angel fountain, lavender and tree
Angel fountain, lavender and tree

I believe that we are all part of nature.  And like nature, we too are endlessly creative.  I not only revere nature as the ultimate colorist, pattern designer, shape maker and texturist.  I also revere artists, who like nature, have dedicated their existence to creating beauty.

I just read a quote by Vincent Van Gogh, “Try to walk as much as you can, and keep your love for nature, for that is the true way to learn to understand art more and more.” Quite by accident, that is exactly what I have been doing these past Indian Summer days in Northern New Mexico. My daily walks have convinced me that Vincent knew what he was talking about.

Don’t Pass by Beauty

I share these images with you taken through my own Eye for Beauty where nature and art combine to create something that made me stop in the moment to truly see and appreciate the beauty before me. Whether you are walking in a city, in a park, in an art gallery or on Canyon Road in Santa Fe, stop and look closely at what you are seeing. Don’t pass by beauty in whatever form it presents itself. And take an image of what you see so you can remember that moment in your life.

Saw-toothed canale, spotted tree bark and adobe wall
Saw-toothed canale, spotted tree bark and adobe wall
Yellow horse, white birds and lime-green leaves
Yellow horse, white birds and lime-green leaves

I hope at least a few of your Indian Summer days this October will be filled with the beauty of nature, art, or both. Because it’s true that “Art is harmony parallel with nature.”– at least Paul Cezanne and Vincent Van Gogh thought so, and so do me and Toby.

In the love of Art and Indian Summer,

Toby and Linda Applewhite
Showing 4 comments
  • Donna Buehler
    Reply

    The colors take my breath away.

  • Sherry
    Reply

    I always enjoy your discoveries!

  • Lynn
    Reply

    What a beautiful post, Linda. I love the Van Gogh quote and what details of color and light that you’ve discovered on your walk! I love Santa Fe even though I’ve only been there once. Thank you for sharing!

  • Laurie Larsen
    Reply

    Thank you Linda, a blessing of beauty! Can’t wait to drink in the colors of Santa Fe soon.

Leave a Comment

Creative IntuitionThe Colors of Fall