A couple of years ago my husband and I decided to watch a juicy meteor shower that had been predicted. Coming from Chicago, with all of its ambient light, we'd never had an opportunity to do this. But the wide open skies of the valley gave us a good opportunity. Here's my depiction with some license taken. In reality this happened at 2 am on a frigid January morning. We bundled up and took blankets and quilts outside to lay on and wrap up in. Maggie took one look at this and walked right back inside. Here in the painting I've made the night a warmer one with turkeys bedding down in the trees and deer eating my plantings. In the sky is a ridiculous display of stars and flying meteors, a slight exaggeration.

This is the final piece for my show, number eleven. If you're interested in purchasing this painting please get in touch through the contact page or send me an email. And if you're near Gardiner, NY between noon and 2pm on November 18 stop by the Gardiner Library. I'm having a small reception and would love to meet you.

"Front Yard"

"Front Yard" detail

"Front Yard" detail

"Front Yard" detail

Black bears are one of the wonders around here. My first spring I saw a mother and a cub walking up the ridge behind the house. Everyone I told said the same thing: "Never get between a mother bear and her cub!" I may be a city girl but seriously? Since that first spring I've seen bears here and there, most recently a very large male standing next to the garage eying my thankfully oblivious dog who was goofing around in the driveway.

The bears that I've encountered seem relaxed and unfazed. Admittedly this happens at what feels like a safe distance although I'm sometimes close enough to get a good look. They are large and dark and powerful & totally intriguing. And very likely to run off at the sight of me.

Bear hunting is allowed here during a specified time. I have a neighbor who killed one last fall and hung it from a tree right next to the road. Out for my morning run I glanced to the side and saw the bear hanging there. I could have reached out and touched it. I jumped a foot in the air and continued on, sad and unsettled.

The painting is 6 x 6 inches (15 x 15 cm) on board.
It's available in my Etsy shop.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/216295300/watercolor-painting-original-front-yard?ref=shop_home_active_1