One of my favorite Inspirations on the Blue Ridge Parkway
I
have been painting in oils since I was twelve and my first painting was
a wooded landscape. It is no wonder that I have been working from the
beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains and the wonderful Blue Ridge Parkway my
adult life. There is nothing like this gorgeous mountain region that
inspires a lot of my work.
One
of my favorite subjects is the Peaks of Otter in Bedford County. My
family and I have been there many times and stayed at the peaceful lodge
that does not have televisions in the rooms. The deer are so used to
people that they are like dogs roaming the grounds.
My
husband, son, and I took the bus up to Sharp Top one time and then
walked down! What a hike! It was so beautiful and I took a number of
photographs that I based several oil paintings on. I almost always work
from my own photographs for a reference but it is not my intention to
reproduce the photograph.
The photograph is a starting point for my own unique expression which is both Impressionistic and Expressionistic.
On
the way down we were behind a young woman carrying a baby on her back.
I was amazed that she would take such a long hike carrying an infant. I
don't think I could have handled that. Too much trouble with my back
in those days.
Life with the Bird and Word Man
I
like to include something about my unusual husband, Clyde Kessler, who
is a self-taught naturalist and published poet. He is also very funny
and I like to include the funny things he says at times.
He works
closely with the Blue Ridge Discovery Group to promote enjoyment and
conservation of his beautiful home which is the mountains of Southwest
Virginia.
He is originally from Ferrum Va and his great-great uncle
George Kessler is one of three founders of Ferrum College.
The
main purpose of the Blue Ridge Discovery Group is to get kids outside to
explore and appreciate their fantastic mountain home.
He is publishing quite a lot of poetry lately which can be found online.
A few days ago I asked him if he remembers when people didn't use the word awesome very much. His reply was totally!
