Shenandoah Mist I: Sanctuary

Shenandoah Mist I: Sanctuary
7 x 5 in
Oil on Linen Panel

Memorial Day weekend at Shenandoah National Park brought three solid days of rain—and it was an absolute gift. While the weather kept the crowds away, (and provided a last minute campsite), it left the mountains entirely quiet, peaceful, and shrouded in a soft, luminous fog.

I painted this from the cozy dry shelter of my van at the campsite. I was completely captivated by how the rain intensified the colors of the forest, turning the wet bark deep shades of plum and charcoal, while making the new spring moss on the ground practically glow. It’s a snapshot of a slow, rainy morning spent listening to the drops hit the roof and watching the woods breathe.

This piece bracketed Shenandoah Mist II, painted from the same location.

Kept separate or hung as a pair, these sister paintings are an exploration of patience, quiet observation, and the subtle magic of a rainy day in the mountains.