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The Moment

I stood there, awestruck. This wasn’t our first time walking this loop through the woods – we’d probably done it 25 times by then – but that morning, something was different. The mist clung low to the ground, swirling around the thick canopy of trees. Sunlight filtered through the mist, creating a soft, ethereal glow that seemed to come from within the forest itself. It was a scene so magical, so otherworldly, that I couldn’t have dreamt it up even in my wildest imagination.

Of course, I didn’t have my phone with me to capture the moment. I didn’t want any distractions this morning. So, I had to do something that was quite hard: I had to commit the image to memory, every detail would need to be etched into my mind.

I wanted to fly home and get this scene down on paper. Yet, we were deep into the woods. I had the choice to either ruminate on getting home or live within the moment. I stepped forward, straight into the tableau and felt that mist right on my face. My skin prickled as the moment washed over me. I savored every detail of the light, the mist, and the feeling of being completely surrounded by this magic moment.

It was then that knew I wouldn’t forget the scene. It’s etched into my memory even now. But would I be able to convey the moment? I, admittedly, am awful at landscapes. I recently had sworn them off after several attempts at painting beach sunsets. My husband was astounded when he saw the result. “I thought you couldn’t do landscapes, babe!”

The Painting

The painting you see here is the result of that memory. It’s not a perfect recreation, of course – no painting can truly capture the ephemeral beauty of that morning. But it’s my interpretation, my way of sharing that feeling of awe and wonder with you.

In fact, there are two paintings from that morning. Since I chose not to turn back, rush home and apply brush to canvas; I was blessed with another beautiful moment of which I’ll share soon.

The painting is a watercolor of a lush green forest. The trees are tall and slender, their branches reaching towards the sky. I purposefully let them reach above the margin as if they cannot be contained by paper. The mist swirls around the trees. The lush greens of the forest are rendered in soft washes, while the mist is suggested by delicate veils of blues and purples. The sunlight filters through the trees in dappled patches, creating a sense of depth and dimension. The overall impression is one of serenity and quietude, a world bathed in soft, ethereal light. I hope you feel that.

If you are interested in a print of this painting please use the contact form below and we can work together on the perfect size and style of print that you wish. Please feel free to use the form below for commissions or gallery appearances. I will answer your request as soon as possible.

*Special note: Visit my Patreon page for a lesson on how to paint an impressionistic forest, a digital download of this painting and much more!

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