golden hues {color therapy}

Golden hues that range from warm yellow to amber are some of my favorite colors. From honey and lemons to lanterns and leaves, these shades bring the feel of sunshine.

~photo credits unknown~

flowerful friday

We're at that point in autumn when all of the brilliantly colored leaves have fallen and even the late blooming flowers are past their peak. So, for today's Flowerful Friday post, we will have to take inspiration from compositions that conjure up fall. These photos are images with colors that create a warmth, like a cozy fire, that we all enjoy this time of year.

a field of red poppies -
reminds me of Tuscany!

the back of a sunflower....gorgeous

anemones, delicate and beautiful

this just looks like fall, doesn't it?

deeply colored peonies - stunning!

Happy Friday!

~photo credits unknown~

bright punches of color for a dreary day

The combination of a dreary fall day and not feeling well created in me the need for some punches of color to brighten things up. These images do just that for me, as their colors are like instant pick-me-ups. These cheery tones are some of my favorite hues. 

painting by Amanda Collins

by Annie Lockhart

Rothko, perfection

unknown

unknown

flowerful friday

Thank goodness for mums! Though the rest of my garden has faded away, my mums are still going strong lending bright pops of color to the yard. I love to bring cuttings indoors to make bouquets for us to enjoy inside. Here's a close-up of a few of the autumnal colored mums from my garden.

Happy Friday Everyone!

november afternoon {john atkinson grimshaw}

Victorian-era painter, John Atkinson Grimshaw's painting, November Afternoon, Stapleton Park seems to perfectly capture the mood and feel of November. There is a stillness, the sun is lower in the sky, and the colors haven't yet committed to full-on winter hues. 

The British painter Grimshaw, is best known for painting landscapes with extraordinary realistic effect - seen in lighting, coloring, and details.    

November Afternoon, Stapleton Park
John Atkinson Grimshaw
click onto the image for a larger view

flowerful friday

As a thoughtful get-well gift, I received these beautiful roses with a lovely fragrance from my in-laws. Aren't they gorgeous? It's been so grey around here lately, that their bright and cheery colors have been most welcome. 

Happy Friday!

aspen leaves {magical}

A week ago I was kicking back and relaxing in Vail, taking in some of the last of the glorious golden aspens of the year. Aspen leaves catch light like nothing else and then when a nice gust of wind comes through, the little golden leaves dance most magically. I love fall, and it doesn't get much more beautiful than autumn amongst the aspens of Colorado. 

click onto the photo for a larger view

like little golden coins

flowerful friday

I wish I could take credit for this stunning arrangement and photograph of these beautiful fall hued flowers! Isn't it gorgeous? To me, it could pass for an oil painting by one of the old masters.

Happy Friday!

~photo credit unknown~

the view {vail}

With a fresh dusting of snow and aspens still clinging onto their golden leaves, the scenery in Vail was beautiful!

photography: chasing our dreams {gregorius suhartoyo}

I came across this stunningly beautiful photograph on Pinterest. I think it captures a moment and feeling so perfectly. The colors, the light, the subject - all perfection! It was taken by Gregorius Suhartoyo and is entitled, "Chasing our Dreams". Lovely.

Check out more of Suhartoyo's photography at:

http://500px.com/GregoriusSuhartoyo. 

His art is amazing.

fall colors {Cedarburg, Wisconsin}

Fall is unquestionably in its showiest stages. With leaves aglow, the colors are beautiful!

fall - Cedarburg, Wisconsin 2012

art: poplars in autumn, pink effect {monet}

Here's Monet's beautiful "Poplars in Autumn, Pink Effect". Doesn't Monet capture the colors and light of a sunny fall day perfectly? And, it's as if we can see the leaves move in the wind.  

Poplars in Autumn, Pink Effect
Claude Monet, 1891

art: a breton landscape, david's mill {gauguin}

Painted in 1894 by the French master Paul Gauguin, this scene of bucolic Brittany perfectly captures the colors of autumn. Don't you just love the vibrant hues? It's an oil on canvas and resides at the Musee d'Orsay in Paris. 

A Breton Landscape, David's Mill - 1894

the beauty of the season {autumn}

Today was a gorgeous fall day - a bright blue sky contrasted with the leaves that are starting to show their lovely autumnal colors. Here are some photos that perfectly showcase the beauty of the season.

autumn mist

a view from above

autumn - Kyoto, Japan

autumn in Spain

~photo credits unknown~

colors of the season {from a farmers' market}

Fall was definitely in the air yesterday, and while taking in the Dane County Farmers' Market the temperatures were cool, seasonal specialities like apples, pears, and squash were everywhere, and many vendors were selling lovely dried flowers bouquets. Here are a few shots I snapped that capture the colors of the season. 

cool weather radishes 

lovely dried bouquets 

colorful swiss chard

green and gold "Packer" peppers

inspired by matisse: creativity takes courage

Known for his brilliant use of color and fluidity, Henri Matisse is one of my favorite artists. His are the colors that make me happy. And, his creative use of line and perspective was so original. 

Here are a few of Matisse's pieces: "Interior with a Phonograph", "Basket with Oranges", "Decorative Figure on an Ornamental Background", and perhaps my favorite - "Goldfish". Enjoy!

Interior with Phonograph

Basket with Oranges

Decorative Figure on an Ornamental Background 

Goldfish

classic color combination: blue and white

Blue and white is such a classic color combination. It's completely timeless. Personally, I love when things we consider very classic get jazzed up with bold patterns. Here are a few shots of blue and white textiles - images that I think are beautiful and are great examples of "more is more". No minimalism here. :-)

Nankeen cloth - stencil and paste resist

beautifully mixed patterns for
a layered look

gorgeous!

flowerful friday

We spent part of last Sunday at Olbrich Gardens, here in Madison. It's one of my favorite places in town, and is a phenomenal botanical gardens. Here are just a few photos I snapped while at Olbrich's Thai Pavilion display.

close-up - isn't this flower stunning?

myriad of colors 

Olbrich's Thai Pavilion -
a little piece of Thailand right here in Madison!

Happy Friday!