Remember the smells of the Autumn leaves, the loam, the rich dirt on the forest floor as you sauntered amongst the trees.  Feel the light kiss of the sun on your face as you look up at the blue of the sky peaking through the canopy of leaves still clinging to their perch. Treasured moments.
 
This was my third published piece.  It was exhilarating to set a scene and treasured memory in my head, unfocus my eyes as it were and just paint!  My wife and I were at the MET one time enjoying the full impact of the Masters works in person.  She was staring at a Van Gogh self portrait but with her nose about a centimeter away from the canvas.  Surprisingly, this piece had no ropes around it, but the 'attendants' were watching her closely. She said up close it was like looking at just a bunch of colored dots but when you stand back it becomes a picture.  That stuck with me and I wanted to do a painting that was like looking at a Van Gogh or a Monet ridiculously close but still try to convey the image in my mind.  I want to do more of these.