Darkness and Dawn

Opening my eyes, I gazed at the dawn-streaked, still-dark sky, bare trees standing in tall silhouette, with neighbors'  lights twinkling through the woods. I headed straight for my studio, but kept the lights off and stood at a window, studying each tree's shape, lingering on the many small branches and twigs revealing its unique "fingerprint" in the sky.

I cherish these minutes before sunrise, when the woods and trees and birds all seem to be holding their breath in anticipation of what is to come. Quiet moments when the day's work has yet to begin, and the night's softness blankets the world outside my door. Lights still off, I took up my brushes in the quiet studio and started transferring darkness and light to paper-- a reminder of magical moments filled with hope. The beginning of a new day.