New Moon in the New Year

Last night, a sliver of orange hued new moon graced our evening sky. Here are s few snapshots of the lovely sight.














This is the first new moon in the new year. A comfort for people in the turbulent time.


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Featured Painting - Remembrance

My last oil painting completed in 2016, Remembrance, featured a ghostly profile of a pale and pensive person, occupying lower third of the canvas, head bending down, in deep thoughts, with a barely registered presence. Against this sketchily and thinly painted bust, the strongly accented abstract and dark background, asserted itself strongly, and became obvious the representation of the things to remember, a commentary to his thoughts. Perhaps, the winding road or river in the far background reminded him of the toil in the past; perhaps, the repeating pattern of vertical shapes, reminded his of the hopes raised in the past and perhaps not wholly accomplished, or even lost. An apt conclusion to a quite regrettable year of the turbulent 2016.


 
Remembrance
Oil on Canvas
24”x18”
Completed in 2016


© Matthew Felix Sun
www.matthewfelixsun.com


Originally posted on matthewfelixsun.com

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Amanita Muscaria Mushrooms in Urban Apartments Garden

Recent pouring rain storms in San Francisco Bay Area, though inconvenient for many commuters, were more than welcome by the residents, because California had been suffering persistent drought for years. Further more, the moist weather brought out many unexpected colorful mushrooms in some unexpected places, such as this cluster of Amanita muscaria I saw near an apartment compound of University of California, Berkeley.

They might be poisonous, but they were wonderful to behold.













 
















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The Beautiful Yosemite in Late Fall

My only trip to the incredibly beautiful Yosemite National Park in last October left me great memories.

Day 1 was a crisp late autumn day, brilliant sunlight contrasted dramatically or drastically with rather dry and forbidding rocks surrounding the Yosemite Valley. All those famed rocks looked appropriately imposing and impersonal.


El Capitan


North Dome


Half Dome

After viewing some rocks from nearby or afar, we hiked the John Muir Trail then the lower part of Mist Trail and saw the lovely Vernal Falls, and the rushing water downstream. Clear day, and no mist.


A partial view of the Vernal Falls


Downstream from Vernal Falls


John Muir Trail / Mist Trail

Day 2 was misty and rainy, and the wetness in the air completely changed the atmosphere and rendered the everything in the Valley saturated, vibrant and inviting. The overcast made contrasts less harsh and even rocks looked more approachable.



We didn't get chance to join the tour of Glacier Point to see the Valley from high up on Day 2, so we took our leisurely time to see the picturesque Yosemite Falls. 


Yosemite Falls


Near Yosemite Falls

We stumbled upon a spot with enchanting view of the facing off North Dome and Half Dome, rising majestically above a magical meadow or rich fall colors.





Underneath one of the large trees in the meadow, two fawns sat peacefully, lending more sense of tranquility and harmony.



Lovely they were, more impressive was an adult buck we saw early on, near the Yosemite Falls, sauntering around proudly of his grounds.



There was a huge storm at night and day 3 began with a roaring sound we heard in our lodge and soon we saw that the Yosemite Falls had swelled to frightening forces.






The water flow was truly fast and furious and everyone cautiously moved about in the thick clouds of mist near the rushing river below the mighty falls.





Later on, I went to another large meadow near Majestic Hotel, formerly known as Ahwahnee, and wandered about the achingly beautiful place, like possessed.




















We had wonderful dinner and lunch at the Majestic Hotel, part of the more rustic fixtures of the building left me more impression than the more obviously luxuriant part.




Yosemite National Park - A magic place.


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