the bike path

Again, West Virginia, a few weeks ago when we biked along a path that took us eventually to a wonderful mountain laurel forest. Several weeks later, I was at the Portland, Maine Museum of Art looking at a show of New England painters. Two paintings featured mountain laurel! There are no laurel in this painting, but the path is pink. Paths repeat in my landscapes - it's an easy way to lead the viewer into the painting and it's a common theme of walking along life's pathways. Now that I've said this in writing, I may finally stop painting obvious paths. Still, I jog along them, I hike and bike along them, I meditate upon them, I look for the way at all times.

Mrs. O's Red Onions

Gardens are starting to produce, and some crops are overabundant. I had well over 100 cucumbers in just one patch, plenty to share all around. My neighbor, Mrs. O., had more red onions than she could use, so here, captured in paint, and then cellphone photo, are the first bunch given to me in trade for cucumbers. They're too pretty to cut up and eat!

blueberry land

Two weeks ago, my husband and I and another couple took several hikes in the Dolly Sods Wilderness Area of West Virginia. I am not fond of West Virginia - the mountains seem too looming and make me feel closed in, unless, of course, I'm on top of them :-). This plateau area is open and high, so it is a place I like to visit. The view here is coming up a trail from some bog-type areas near a river, through some blueberry fields, soon to arrive at a cluster of very large rocks that look over a valley. The wind is always blowing up there and if you go on a day in early October, let me warn you to take thick parkas and gloves and hats. This is tundra landscape and atmosphere!

Wood's Path

Another painting from the bike trip in West Virginia, along the Greenbrier River pathway. This part briefly took us through some leafy bushes and trees. I love the way the light beckons us on.