Study, Sapphire

Symbolizing wisdom and loyalty, September's deep blue birthstone of sapphire is my own. The subject for this painting comes from the east side of Knoxville, Tennessee during a winter evening.

Now, don't do the math too hard here, but, yes, I may have snapped a reference photo for this through my truck windshield while driving along this road. Shame on me, I know. Colors like this are very ephemeral, as is the arrangement of elements within the composition. 

I had lots of iterations to practice nabbing this view because I was in the midst of driving this route at least daily for months to assist my Mom while she recovered from traumatic injuries following a fall.

During this period of my life, I discovered a wellspring of protective loyalty within myself that I didn't know I possessed. Have you had a loved one in a nursing home lately? Yikes! But I never felt wisdom. Quite the opposite. I was learning and scrambling each day. 

This subject and my interpretation of it are reminders that there is always beauty around us. I'm pleased to share that Mom worked her butt off and recovered well. She's now enjoying her life back out and about.