The Yellow Boots

​Today, the forecast warned of heavy rain and strong winds in the afternoon. By 8:30 am I was driving around the hill, looking for something to pain. Thick sheets of water kept blurring the landscape, washing away all the colors, mixing sky and ground. The luminous quality of the big empty parking lot behind the Department of Agriculture caught my attention. While I was sitting in the car, someone walked by and entered the building. The dark figure reflected in the mirror of the pavement became my subject. The overall impression was dominated by loneliness. After two thumbnail sketches in pencil, the composition clarified. I transferred it to the canvas, and started to paint the background in lights tones of grey. And, just in time, my daughter Ilinca walked in the parking lot, in a bright blue rain jacket, happy as she can be, soaked from the heavy rain. That splash of color transformed the tonal painting into a vibrant memorable experience.