Pemberton & Oakes, Ltd. - Image Database

Zolan says, "Doing 'Autumn Leaves' reminded me of when I was a boy in Illinois. Then people burned their leaves in big bonfires at night and neighbors came out of their homes to watch. I still remember all the firelit faces and the smell of the smoke. It was like a celebration. Summer was over. Now winter was coming, with snow, and Thanksgiving, and Christmas, and the new year There was a new excitement in the air and the little girl in 'Autumn Leaves' car sense it all now." A little girl is filling a bushel basket with fallen leaves in this large work. Zolan's lighting seems magical. Sunlight highlights the girl's hair and form: a pool of light on the leaves and grass behind her. More sunlight shimmers on the golden trees in the background. The painting brings us into the heart of autumn with its majestic trees and colorful leaves. Green grass still pokes up between the fallen leaves at the little girl's feet. Summer and fall are playing tug of war.

"Autumn Leaves"