October 23, 1965 a song hit number 80 in the charts, performed by the Byrds called Turn, Turn, Turn.
It parroted the text from Ecclesiastes chapter three. This text says
“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven”. Ecclesiastes 3:1
True words. For me, fall is a time for cooler weather and fall colors. And sometimes, a bit if melancholy mixed in as creation begins to shut down and prepare for the dormancy that comes with a winter’s rest. It also reminds me of the few days we have on earth.
PAINT LIVINGSTON 2025
October of 2025 contained all these elements, plus it has been a very busy season. Donna and I always count it a blessing to be able to visit east Tennessee in the Fall, where our son and daughter-in-law live, as well as Donna’s family. We were able to combine a visit this year with a Plein Air event called “Paint Livingston”, which was held in Livingston, Tennessee, and was sponsored by the Overton County Arts Council. This newly formed organization did an excellent job putting this event together, providing housing for participating artists. Our “host” family was a local couple who’s hospitality was second to none. Their help and generosity made this event a joy to participate in. We arrived a couple days early to look abound the county, but the actual event was two full days of painting for the main competition and then a separate “Quick Paint” event and sale the last day of the competition.
The boundaries of the event were Overton County and a bit of a couple neighboring counties. The area is beautiful, with lakes, waterfalls and an abundance of rural settings to choose from. Below are a few of the works I created during this event.
Below are 4 of the 5 plein air pieces painted during the Paint Livingston plein air event in Livingston, Tennessee.
After the Paint Livingston Plein Air event, we traveled south a couple of hours to Cleveland, Tennessee where Donna’s family live. Our son and daughter-in-law live pretty close to there as well. While visiting family and friends for a few days, I found time to setup my easel near the creek Donna played in as a kid. Although it was overcast and sprinkled rain from time to time, I really enjoyed the quiet painting session.
Towards the end of that week we hit the road again and headed north-east to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, where we stayed a week. The much anticipated Fall colors of the Appalachian mountains were not quiet at their peak, but it was beautiful never-the-less. We did stumble across some of the most beautiful color I have ever seen on the Foothills Parkway that crosses the mountains as it snakes it’s way from outside Pigeon Forge to Chilhowee, Tennessee. It was one of the most beautiful drives I’ve taken in many years.
While in Pigeon Forge, we visited the Smoky Mountain National Park several times, looking for wildlife. As we cruised the roads in and around Cades Cove in the National park, we saw turkey, deer and bears, with the bears being the most entertaining!
On several outings in the National Park I managed to create 4 paintings. I painted in the Park last year as well, and was again reminded of the obstacles present while painting this area. The challenges always present themselves in the beauty that draws a painter to attempt to capture a scene. The small brooks and rivers are complex with their moving water, many small falls, moss covered rocks in abundance all overlayed with dappled lighting that challenges the values.
Add to these element is the nature of the lighting in the mountains. As the sun fights to penetrate the dense forest, the light changes very quickly altering the entire scene. Often called the “Land of the Noonday Sun”, it was a struggle to paint in places that would be well lit at the start of a painting, only to be submerged in deep shadow 90 minutes later. But even with the struggles, the quietness, beauty and solitude in God’s awesome creation made the hours spent there a thing to be cherished. Another reminder of our passing days. Days that number fewer and fewer week by week.
For me, the entire fall season is a reminder of what has passed and the urgency of the limited time left. Fall brings on the very strange celebration of death, blood and gore, known as Halloween, which is mixed with fall colors, pumpkins and a particular flavor of latte :-). Although I do not celebrate Halloween, I’ll touch on a Halloween subject… the grave.
Mark, our host during our stay in Livingston, showed us around the landscapes of Overton County a bit while we were there, and one of the unique things he showed us was something I had never seen before – Tent Graves. The origin of these type of graves is debated- they may have Scottish/Irish roots. What is known for sure is that these graves were more common in the 19th century, mostly in the south. They are unique in construction and appearance. To avoid cattle walking on the graves and caving a compromised coffin in or to keep animals from digging up the remains from what was probably a shallow grave, large slabs of sandstone were hewn and two long slabs were leaned against each other to form a “tent” like structure over the grave. The ends were sealed with two upright head and foot stones. Some of the dates we saw on these Overton County tent graves dated back to the late 1700’s. As Donna and I explored Overton County in search of painting locations for the competition, we discovered a couple more old graveyards that contained several of these old tent graves. Once you see one of these in person, you begin to look for more in the same way you would collect knives or a particular kind of old antique dish. You can’t help but wonder about the times, the people and stories buried in these old graves.
I have found that graveyards have a way of re-planting one’s feet firmly on the soil of this fleeting life. I heard a man once say we should take a walk through a graveyard periodically to remember the brevity of life and how quickly it will pass. I find this to be true as most of my life is in the rear view mirror.
The sobering reality of a graveyard is twofold. The first is that they remind us that we all will die. One hundred percent of the living will die. The second is this – eternity waits and we will spend it somewhere. The Bible mentions two destinations: Eternity in a beautiful place called Heaven with the God who made us, or eternity in a place of suffering, flames and misery called Hell. No middle ground.
The scripture also says we can know where we will spend eternity, and we can actually make arrangements for the peace and beauty of Heaven while we yet live. Art is all about the light. Without light, all would be dark and artwork meaningless. If the big picture of this ongoing story, Jesus entered the darkness of this world with the Light of His saving grace….The Gospel. It’s simple. Jesus Christ stepped into this dark, fallen world and took the punishment for our sin on Himself on the Cross. He died, was put in a grave and God the Father raised Him from the dead to show us that the debt for our sin was paid in full. How do we lay hold of this great salvation? The Bible says if we repent – which means to change our mind about our sin, and confess it and believe that Jesus died for our sins, was buried and then was raised from the dead, Salvation is ours… forever. When you do this the scripture says eternity in heaven is certain for all who believe.
That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Ephesians 3:16-19
I hope your fall is filled with the peace that comes through Christ alone!
SM
