16×20 oil
“Rise and Shine!” (I remember my mama’s voice melodically calling me to wake up.) “Rise and Shine” was the last thing I wanted to hear as a teenager. But, it was a very positive call to alertness. Mama said it with joy and happiness for the beginning of a new day!
I chose to paint this scene because of the light– “the heavenly sunlight flooding my soul with glory divine…” I took the photo in the morning, while out early to enjoy the day. I’m not the same sleepyhead that Mama had trouble waking up. Now I enjoy seeing the sun rise, seeing the light creep around corners of trees and cling to the edges of leaves, seeing sunlight blanket the earth with a yellow-white glow.
Rise and Shine! It’s another day to appreciate, and to be a light!