There’s nothing quite like getting to sit in a place where you can watch a storm roll in. Being able to see, smell, and hear the rain, lightning, thunder, as well as feeling the change in pressure and temperature is a truly awesome experience.

One of the perks of Madison’s location in the state is that we are relatively flat, and therefore we can typically see weather patterns rolling in from quite some distance. Chris took the opportunity to capture some storm clouds in this original painting on paper. As I look at it, I can almost imagine that i’m in a field in the summertime, maybe even hitting a swimming hole. I see the clouds in this painting, and can almost begin to feel the cooler air stirring and hear the faint rumble of thunder as the storm rolls on in.

Weather is one of those strange things about memories. So often, a specific time of year will have it’s own specific feeling, smell, and sights that all help to influence what we remember about different times. Take, for instance, the difference between a pop up shower in the spring, that might leave the air smelling of fresh flowers and cut grass, versus the steamy smell of post rain asphalt on a sunny summer day, or the crispness and almost dusty smell of wet leaves that accompanies a storm in the later months of fall.

Weather, like so much of our lives, factors greatly into how and what we remember about places, times, and events in our stories. This is just one snapshot from Chris’ memory banks, but it is one that I can relate to, and identify with as well.

Chris Cook is a premier southern artist and owner of Madison Studios, a web design, maintenance, and e-commerce and marketing company. For his artist biography, contact information, or to view more of his work, click HERE.