Light and Shadow

As I walked through the forest the other day I was delighted at the sight of a large colourful fungus. Unfortunately I did not have my camera with me, so I went back later and took a few pictures. As the summer slowly wanes I have been aware of the change in the light. So as I walked in the forest I recorded the patterns of light and shadow that I saw around me and was reminded of the proverb "Every light has its shadow".

 

I know it is difficult to get an idea of the size of this fungus from this picture but you will have to take my word for it being about a foot and a half across (45 cm) and more than a foot deep and high (30 cm); a very impressive specimen so I hope you will forgive the number of pictures I have included.

 

 

 

I decided to see what others had to say about light and shadow and found some interesting quotes:

"Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player, that struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more; it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing." William Shakespeare

 

"I don't need a friend who changes when I change and who nods when I nod; my shadow does that much better."
Plutarch

 

"False friends are like our shadow, keeping close to us while we walk in the sunshine, but leaving us the instant we cross into the shade."
Christian Nestell Bovee

 

 

 

"The present is the ever moving shadow that divides yesterday from tomorrow. In that lies hope."
Frank Lloyd Wright

"Friendship is the shadow of the evening, which increases with the setting sun of life."
Jean de La Fontaine

 

 

"Who never doubted, never half believed. Where doubt is, there truth is - it is her shadow. "
Ambrose Bierce

 

"Shadow is a colour as light is, but less brilliant; light and shadow are only the relation of two tones."
Paul Cezanne

 

"Without black, no color has any depth. But if you mix black with everything, suddenly there's shadow - no, not just shadow, but fullness. You've got to be willing to mix black into your palette if you want to create something that's real."
Amy Grant 
 

Shadow in art or painting is what gives shape and substance to a work, without shadow there is no depth. In fact, I might ask, what came first the light or the shadow, because surely there is not one without the other.

I am still very busy painting and framing for my art show, only another couple of weeks of this furious activity, then I hope to get back to a more normal routine.

Here is a watercolour that I have finished recently called "Light and Shadow". It is inspired by a fountain that I saw and photographed while in Europe.

Thank you for your visit, I really appreciate your interest in my little corner of the world.

Happy Whimsy Wednesday, until next time ...........