Good morning world! I have had a lot of less than enjoyable distractions lately, but I am happy to report that I finally got back to the easel to finish this painting last week. This painting was inspired by the trip I took to Floyd County, Virginia this past fall for the Plein Air Crush event. I and my painting buddies woke up before dawn one morning to catch the sunrise from this scenic overlook. But it was so, so windy and bitterly cold, so we satisfied ourselves with a photo shoot instead. I've been spending a lot of time lately studying trees and their varied twists, turns and textures. It's mesmerizing to noticethe way the light alternately skips and lingers over their trunks and branches. Winter is a great time fortree studies, as they are bare limbed and there is no foliage to obscure them. In fact, I seem to recall reading that painter Emile Gruppe preferred the winter landscape, in part because of interest he found in the bare-limbed trees.

It has always struck me how trees seem to have their own personality. Sometimes lacy and delicate, sometimes massive and unwavering, their steady unmovable strength speaks to me.  Lately they seem to be whispering, "Slow down; be still." Mind you, this is great advice, but it's quite the opposite of my personality! Nevertheless, I am trying hard to listen.