Yellow Ceramic Mug and Red Silk Scarf in a Red Buick

the empty kitchen.

The north light in my studio was weak, casting long shadows across the unfinished landscape on my easel.

The canvas showed the sugar maple trees in the backyard, their yellow leaves painted in thick oil strokes.

I touched the edge of the wooden frame, wondering if I would ever finish the sky.

If the judge signed the continue reading …