Faded Radiance

For this project, I chose a brown oak leaf found in early winter — a leaf whose faded surface and softened edges felt like a fitting symbol for the nature of Alzheimer’s disease. Once vibrant, full of color and life, it now held only traces of what had been. Yet, when studied closely, deep hues and intricate textures still whispered a story it could no longer fully speak. To me, this leaf carried both beauty and sorrow, a quiet echo of memory and loss.
An oak leaf at the close of autumn rests in quiet detail, its surface rendered in layered browns with subtle traces of green and mahogany beneath. The leaf’s shadow falls across textured grey paper, where natural fibers echo the organic subject. Realistically drawn, the piece captures the fragile beauty of transition — the fading glow of life held in delicate balance between endurance and decline.
Donated to the Postcard Art Exhibit at The Hague in June 2026, this artwork honors memory and presence, contributing to an exhibition supporting Alzheimer’s awareness and care.
Explore the piece to experience the quiet poetry held in a single autumn leaf.