"In the Garden", oil, 6 x 8 inches

This quick little plein air sketch was painted last summer in the garden at Kings Gap. It was a very hot day and the bumble bees were out and about. I took refuge under a shade tree and captured the sundial in the center of the abundant flower garden. Success is being able to complete a study in a couple of hours before the light and shadows change and to capture that first impression of the scene without the worry over details. Now this piece is enough information to try a larger, more finished work.

View from Kings Gap, oil, 8x10

I just finished this little painting of a portion of the vast landscape view from the top of Kings Gap. It reminds me of something my grandmother once said. She was a country farming girl from the South, and my father drove her from North Carolina up through Maryland to visit us in Pennsylvania. She made him pull over along the highway when she saw the outstanding scenic views of the farmland along the Maryland highway. She got out of the car and stood there taking it all in for a long time and finally made the comment..."The Lord do decorate this earth beautiful." And do I agree.