This dramatic landscape captures the dramatic, final crescendo of autumn at our local Mt. Pisgah Arboretum. It is an image of profound contrast, representing the very emotional core of Where Memories Softly Fall. The ancient maple tree is rendered in a fiery, expressive glory—a vibrant burst of color against the immense darkness of the approaching night.

This juxtaposition symbolizes the intense, illuminated moments of memory that flare up against the dark passage of time. The soft speckles of light scattered across the dark background—whether interpreted as the season's first snow or distant stars—suggest the spirit's quiet ascension and the enduring presence of past moments in the vast, cosmic landscape. The image is an evocative meditation on the cycle of life, finding hope and spiritual light within the inevitable transition toward shadow.

The hand-applied cold wax medium grounds this illuminated, painterly vision, giving the piece a rich, textural quality that feels as deep and enduring as the memory itself.