untitled (fall landscape), Jasper Francis Cropsey

What would you like to change about yourself? Is there anything you want to take back and do over again differently? Would you just like a second chance? Nobody's perfect. We hear it over and over again, as people try to ameliorate us or make us feel better. But in the end, we still have that natural penchant to rectify ourselves into the so called "perfect" person. It's unreasonable to be perfect and we figure that out the hard way, but don't let these mistakes bring you down. Start with little changes, that instead of make you stronger or smarter, how about appreciating the people around you more? Or trying to understand how to be a little more patient with your younger brother? Try not to worry about yesterday, because today can be better. Untitled (Fall Landscape) by Jasper Francis Cropsey reminds me that we can all change but that we will never be perfect. Cropsey was known for his vibrant colored autumn landscapes that captured and held onlookers’ attention and opened their eyes to the beauty of nature around them. He was born February 18, 1823 and taught himself to draw at a young age. He was especially talented in architectural drawings but more interested in landscapes. Cropsey devoted his life to making art. He and his wife traveled all over the world for roughly 15 years looking for scenes to paint. He reached the peak of popularity when he met Queen Victoria in 1861, but by 1870, about 40 years after landscape artwork had become popular, people began to lose interest in this American artist's pieces. Effects from the Civil War caused people to believe America was not the promise land anymore and they no longer wanted a framed piece of American nature hanging on their wall. In 1900, Cropsey died a poor man. His serene landscapes would not become popular again for 60 years. Imagine life without color. We take advantage of the everyday beauty around us. When first looking at this oil on canvas piece, notice the vibrant reds, the lush greens, the strong oranges, and the sparkling golds. Start with the tallest tree with green leaves on the left side. Then let your eyes travel to the deserted, brown, twisting path. The rock in the middle just barely captures the sun's golden rays. Now take note of the layers and flecks of red, orange, and gold plants. Look at the line of red ferns and bushes lining the very bottom of the artwork. Through the haze, try to make out the tiny white triangles (I think they are sails) over the blue gray water. Is that a horizon line in the distance? Lean in closer and make out the hill on the other side of the water. Then look up; follow the sun's rays and you'll see a patch of blue sky where the clouds have parted. Notice how the clouds on the left are darker than the ones on the right. How does this piece make you feel? Hopeful, mellow, courageous? To me, autumn is a time of change, a time to find your new beginning and start over. Fall is the time to forget about your mistakes made in the past and look towards the future. It's time to move on and become friends with the classmate you have hated for two years. This landscape gives me courage. When I look at the leaves changing colors, I feel like I can change. The shimmering sunlight shines through me and gives me hope. I feel at peace with the world, as if I and nature are walking hand in hand. But I know that no matter how hard I try, I will never be perfect because there will always be those storm clouds of mistakes.