Late July Respite Painting

After spending hours in direct Late July sunlight completing a painting on the first Appalachian ridge, I decided to take a shortcut through the woods back to my car. It was a cool and shady respite from the intense heat. The dappled late afternoon light and was so pleasant, I took out another panel and proceed to paint the very old tree and the path that wound around it into a beautifully lit hollow. The light changed so rapidly, I came back for three more subsequent afternoons to capture it. I was filled with the peaceful nature of everything around me. I love to paint alone in the woods, so still that the chipmunks, birds and deer.don't notice me. Their rustling, calls, and movement along with the dappled light enveloped my existence. Plein air painting is so experiential and zen like, It allows me to select the exact color and light on my subject. I think this painting captures the subject, mood, time of day and season in a direct manner only available in painting from life. Enjoy!