On my way to the Peaks, the autumn colors change the world into a blaze of fire. It is so exciting to experience the seasons in Virginia. I cannot imagine living in a place that never enjoys the summer, fall winter, spring of the Blue Ridge Mountains. I could paint the same place a thousand times and the time of day, the day of the month, the weather conditions, the temperature, the humidity....all would change the painting. When I finish the 369 miles, I may start over and try this idea!!
The drama of a summer thunder storm approaching over the mountains always fills the senses with smells, sounds and sights that are memorable. As a young child, I remember my senses filling with anticipation of the coming storm. It was never a sense of fear but always a sense of something important happening, something awesome, fierce, and powerful. The calm before the storm helped me to remember who controls the weather and that peace in Him is so comforting today as we all face the storms ahead.
Peace, rest, Shalom, rejuvenate, think, meditate, restore, redeem, rejoice...... words that come to mind when I block out the world, the chaos, the confusion. Illustrating, capturing, painting these concepts are formost in mind when I look for subject matter along the Parkway. What a blessing to have this natural resource in our backyard.
When the skies clear after the rain, the golden light, the smell of wet grass, reflections in puddles all announce the life giving Glory of creation! If I can capture a small shadow of this Glory in my paintings, I will be a happy artist. Maybe one day in heaven I will be assigned the task of painting the real Glory of Creation!!
