Lorenzo Duran

Have you seen the intricately craved artworks by the Spanish artist Lorenzo Duran? Under the name Naturayarte, he and his family not only create these lovely little pieces, but use leaves as their medium. Yep, real leaves. I think these pieces are just divine and their frailty and smallness just makes that much more beautiful.

{all images via the artist's website: Naturayarte}

Leaf Press Alphabet

Image courtesy of sequenza21.com via google

So the yard is covered in leaves right now, much to the chagrin of the raker in me , but much to the delight of the artist. Last year I saw this leaf alphabet project from Martha Stewart Kids and I thought it was a fantastic autumn activity- this fall seems the perfect time to give it a try.

I appreciate that the project guidelines have detailed steps, from the actual pressing (needs to be done a week or two in advance), to display (as a border or book), and that the leaves are called "nature's tissue paper" - you can cut and manipulate them to build the perfect piece of art. For each letter of the alphabet you choose an object or animal and see how you can create it from your leaf collection.

Images courtesy of marthastewart.com

This art project also just happens to have a book that makes a great accompaniment- Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert. Ehlert's leaf man takes off in the wind from a backyard and in his travels sees illustrated sites all comprised of intricate leaf collage. It is the perfect inspiration for any leaf alphabet.

Image courtesy of google

Perhaps raking up the yard this year can be less of a chore and more of a treasure hunt...

Happy fall!

Summer makes me drowsy.

Autumn makes me sing.

Winter's pretty lousy,

But I hate Spring.

-- Dorothy Parker

image via pretentious and pop