What the Light Catches - Original painting • Gouache, Colored Pencil & Pastel

Warm lamplight glows across the kitchen table. A cup, a napkin, a small vase of flowers — simple things, quietly waiting.  Inspired by a photograph by Nguyen via Pexels, and by my own memory of evenings that began in the afternoon.  When the light turned gold and the kettle started to sing.  Even now, it brings me that familiar mix of comfort and anticipation — the feeling that comes with a warm mug in your hands while the sky outside goes dark.

It’s part of my Kindling Season collection: small original paintings made to honor the season of gathering light, warmth, transitions, and comforts. This piece holds that in-between hour - what the French call l’heure entre chien et loup, the time between the dog and the wolf. The day is still hanging on, but the light has started to shift. A warm lamp and a cup on the table signal it’s okay to slow down. It’s that hour before the kitchen hums, when the sky has already gone gold and everything familiar looks just a little different.

Painted on 100% cotton archival paper, the image itself measures 2⅞″  square, with a soft border of unpainted paper extending approximately 9⁄16-inch border on all sides, for a total paper size of 4 inches square. It is signed on the reverse.

This is a one-of-a-kind original — not a print — and perfect for gifting, especially to someone who loves seasonal transitions, golden glows, or that bittersweet turn from harvest toward rest. Painted as part of my Kindling Season series, this piece celebrates small rituals and signs of readiness — the things we gather to feel more at home in our lives.

Medium & Materials

Original gouache, colored pencil, and PanPastel on 100% cotton watercolor paper. All materials are archival and lightfast, meant to last.  Part of the Kindling Season collection.

One of one.

Framing Notes

Ships mounted on acid-free backing board and protected in an archival sleeve. Artwork size is 2⅞″ × 2⅞″.  Designed to fit a 4x4 inch frame or float in a larger frame with matting. Looks beautiful in a warm wood frame or vintage find with warm metallic accents.

Size & Availability
• One-of-a-kind original artwork
• Image area: 2⅞″ × 2⅞″ (≈ 7.3 × 7.3 cm)
• Border: 9⁄16″ (≈ 1.43 cm) on all sides
• Paper size: 4″ × 4″ (≈ 10.16 × 10.16 cm)
• Mounted & ships flat in an archival sleeve with acid-free backing board
• Ships from: Natick, MA

Placement Suggestion

A cozy accent for kitchen walls, reading nooks, or anywhere you pause for tea. Lovely solo or paired with other small originals from the Kindling Season collection.