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Autumn is a beautiful time of year, isn't it? Lovely to read your update - like you, I have not had much time recently to read on Substack and feel I am missing out! You have made a wonderful start on your watercolour painting, I particularly like the way you have treated the reflections. I look forward to seeing the finished piece, fameworthy or not.

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Each fall as the leaves release and nature readies itself for rest I have found it difficult to let it be my guide. Always rushing to get things done before the holiday season or the time change makes shorter days seem even shorter. But this season probably due to my recent surgery and long recovery, I’m settling in to fall easier. Your watercolor painting is seasonally on point for mood. Keep going it’s amazing how many lessons each attempt teaches us if we let it. I’m find neither acrylic nor gouache satisfy my love of transparent pure color as much as watercolor and saturated color pencil work. I’m playing with ink and adding it to my fun with mixing media. But I just can’t get comfortable sitting for long enough to do much currently. So I’m reading and crocheting. We brought in some tender plants for the impending frost which will probably come soon. For the first time in 49 years I couldn’t do it myself which was frustrating. But they are in and safe from frost. My lemons are just starting to yellow!

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Oct 27Author

Glad that the long recovery is blessing you with an easier transition into autumn. Can you use a small clipboard and 5×7 format for colored pencils a little at a time? I worked in my smallest sketchbooks during the long days of being tethered to the knee chiller.

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My October has been a mixture of many things: watching my emotions flow into and out of myself, thinking of sharing my paintings with others outside of my family and friends, and thinking about my future (given the fact that sooner or later Iran will go into war with Israel. To be more exact, i sometimes imagine Iran as another Gaza or Lebanon, which both frightens and immensely fills me with joy simultaneously).

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Oct 27Author

It must be so difficult to live under the shadow of impending war. Does making art help you cope with the fear? If it helps at all, please know that prayers for peace flow from around the world, even from places where governments are supporting the unending wars.

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Thank you, Jo. Yes, it's very difficult for me because it's my first time experiencing such an unprecedented war. And making art, well, it depends (some days it seems to have more soothing effect on me than other days). If you pray for peace in other countries, pray for Iranian people who are tired of this oppressive regime that has been governing us for more than four decades.

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Hello again. I like your painting so far and love your photos. I’m a lousy watercolorist but I do have one comment about your painting. The color of the foliage just behind the dark tree trunks could be just a bit cooler. It’s sort of trying to jump out into the foreground. Aside from that I think it’s great. Mind you, I would give anything to paint half as well as you. The draftsmanship is particularly good and the detail is excellent. Thanks for sharing!

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Oct 27Author

Thanks rafael. I will add the foliage to my value adjustments.

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