Appreciating the Rain
Stormy Skies 1 © Cathy L. Rae.
Stormy Skies 2 © Cathy L. Rae.
Microburst!
Sometimes, despite their reputation otherwise, stormy skies are a welcome gift. Summer can feel like a series of unrelenting, hot, dry days and after a significant dry spell, people typically hope for rain. My dad’s blueberries and green beans, a friend’s flowers, my succulents and cacti, and many things in general could sure use a downpour or at least a steady bit of rain right about now.
When I chose to paint some stormy skies, I gathered paint colors in preparation for all the shades of grey. The various not-so-boring greys - diluted Lamp Black, blue-tinged Payne’s grey, and violet-hued Moonglow. When I started creating and really observing, I noticed there is a whole lot more going on in those grey skies than you first imagine.
While turbulent, rain-filled skies often seem overwhelmingly grey, pewter, and charcoal, there are actually myriad other colors intermingling in the brew. I especially love when small areas of bright, rosy-golden sunlight or clear, soothing blue come peeking through. It’s also beautiful to see the top layers of clouds glowing with light once the heavier rainwater has fallen either to the cloud layer below, partway to earth as virga, or to the ground as a welcome summer shower.
We use stormy skies to describe our mood and emotions. No wonder! Skies can be gloomy, and so can we. The better news is we have hope after a rain. Here are some thought-inspiring quotes about the beauty and unquestioned value of rain.
True, the sun and the wind inspire. But rain has an edge. Who, after all, dreams of dancing in dust? Or kissing in the bright sun?
~ Cynthia Barnett (award-winning
environmental journalist and author of
Rain: A Natural and Cultural History)
Let the rain kiss you. Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops. Let the rain sing you a lullaby.
~ Langston Hughes
Rain showers my spirit and waters my soul.
~ Emily Logan Decens
