An unusual gift of the evening

Wednesday, a week ago, the evening sky was such a bright yet deep red that my camera could only catch a part of its true colors. I stood in awe looking out the window of my front door. I haven’t seen a red sky like that in many years. I can’t really find the words to accurately describe it. I know I couldn’t mix colors that would even come close to what I was seeing. The irony was that just a few days before, I had purchased several colors of red and several of brilliant yellow, yet, none of them would come close to simulating what was there.

Oftentimes when you try to paint a color made brilliant by light, only light can really reveal those colors. Maybe a stained glass window could come close even though I have my doubts about that medium.

Almost every evening I wait to see what the sky will reveal. Sometimes the yellow and oranges dominate with clouds highlighted by a white outline. It’s never the same, each sunset has been different, each unique. On cloudy days I wish I had a plane to fly above the cloud cover to see the rays. Even on those days I know the sun is brilliant somewhere. I try not to miss it when it is our turn to see its brilliance.

For those of you who live up against each other in the city, I know how you feel. I once lived there also but I have always wanted to live in the country and now that I do, I love it. I have painted many of the sunsets I have seen just out my window and across the road. Maybe you’ve seen some of my sunsets. Some are on display at the Chamber of Commerce building on Keny Boulevard here in London. They are part of over 50 paintings of Madison County. These paintings only touch the surface of what I have painted and will paint around here. I don’t have to wander to a foreign land to find real beauty, it’s right here at home.

Harry Croghan is an artist, photographer, writer and teacher. You can send comments to croghan@dragonbbs.com or call (740) 852-4906.