A Touch of Spring

A Touch of Spring

I just got back inside after taking a walk in my woods - the first one in weeks! It has been so wet here, and part of the trail has been under water. I have enjoyed my walks in other places, (including my treadmill where I have been watching Hogan's Heroes reruns - what fun!), but there is just nothing quite like my own woods. Over the years, I have become very familiar with the whole 8 or 10 acres that is part of our property, but today it seemed somewhat unfamiliar. Every spring seems to bring new things there, but this year...

4" x 4"

Painted with artist quality heavy-body acrylic paint on 1.5” deep cradled wood panel

Edges painted black

Click here to view on my website. 

I do think that the huge gash that was cut into the woods a couple of years ago (due to an easement) is beginning to impact the whole plot in different ways; some are helpful and some not so much. But on the positive side, the single dogwood tree back there was glorious today! This is the first year I remember it being so fully in bloom, and it made me so happy. 

After I started homeward from the back part of the woods, I came upon a pileated woodpecker only a few yards from me, and it did not fly away, to my surprise. They are usually very shy and solitary, though I have seen them here before. This time, the chicken-sized bird was on the ground, pecking it's way through something, and though it looked at me, it decided I was not a danger, I guess. I might have missed it if not for the bright red crest on it's head. 

I am calling this palette knife painting A Touch of Spring, with a little melancholy in the blue background for the woods as it was, as well as inspiration and hope in the bright green of new growth and leaves. You can see suggestions of high water and wild flowers growing there in the painting, too. I have painted in a modified grid composition, which reminds me of the calendar of passing time. 

Philippians 3:1a Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord.