May Grey/June Gloom

Here in the southland, early summer brings some strange weather. Clouds linger through the mornings, burn off in the early afternoon and then return in the evening. This is called "May grey" and "June gloom."



If you like some satellite images, check out this visualization of marine stratus clouds swirling along the southern California coast in mid-June 2004.




Well, for those who prefer more conventional pictures, take heart that the overcast conditions do nothing to minimize the beauty of the jacarandas. These lovely purple-flowered trees are now in full bloom ...



... and leaving their petals all along the streets and lawns.



I think you'll agree with me that this intermingling of green and purple answers well to certain strands of Post-Impressionist-inspired painting. I offer you here one of friend Michael Knutson's early lawnchair series as an example of what I have in mind. But surely you'll have your own references early to hand.



Sure, the absence of sun can be a little gloomy. But, it also invites a certain silent reverie in the face of scenes like this.