Original acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas
Artwork measures 30" x 48" 
Unframed 1.5" depth canvas 
 
The story:
When I'm hiking by myself, surrounded by nature and enfolded beneath these tall trees, I feel quiet. Not just hearing quiet by the absence of our noisy world as I'm alone in the forest, but really feeling it through my body. I notice that I step more softly, so am more careful not to disturb nature as I walk through. I breathe more lightly, so am not loud to disrupt nature's serene state. So, when I meet an animal, or unique tree root, or peculiar fungi---I feel a sense of connectedness. A greeting of sorts. "Thank you for sharing your space with me", I think as I see the rabbit hop away.
 
This piece combines a landscape painting with a mural approach for a very different artwork outcome. I chose greens and blues for the "mural" overlay to represent foliage and sky, and a nod to sunshine passing through the leaves with a golden streak. Texture in the blue is created with leaves as stamps. And representations of the animal friends I've met during my hikes.