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" Each generation takes the earth as trustees." J. Sterling Morton

Happy National Arbor Day! J. Sterling Morton introduced the idea of Arbor Day in 1872, a tree planting holiday. It has since become the last Friday in April to celebrate the tree. To plant trees which help clean the air, stabilize the soil, shore lines, clean water, protect all wildlife, life. If you do not have a tree to plant today you can go to www.arborday.org to check on some of the projects they have going world wide. France will be planting 100,000 trees, B.C., Canada is set for 100,00, within the U.S.A. Florida will plant 200,000 to replace trees lost to hurricanes and California will replace 100,000 trees lost to fires. You all know trees and bees are life, we need to do our part and protect them. 

Many of you know much of my art work features animals, especially birds but I do love drawing and painting trees. Today we will be featuring trees. I have developed a series of trees over the years in a long narrow format. Here are a few and there will be more to come. 

                  "Through The Woods To Giverny"         "A Touch Of Orange"      

                                                                                 Mixed Medium $350 available     Mixed Medium $350 available

                                                                                  at Willow Oaks Craft Cider                  at Matrix, Gallery

                                                                                         & Wine, Art Space                            Blacksburg, VA

                                                                                          Middletown, MD

                                                                           "Never Too Much Orange"                   "Finding Strength"

                                                                             Mixed Medium $350                           Mixed Medium $350

                                                                          Available at Matrix Gallery                 Available Studio Gallery

                                                                                  Blacksburg, VA                                     Scottsdale, AZ

Since many locations are closed if you are interested in purchasing any of these works please let me know and we will make arrangements as best possible. Until the end of April 2020, I will cover shipping and if applicable sales tax. Just email me at [email protected]

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This week Rick and I drove up to Cottonwood and Sedona, AZ. We needed to pick up a few things in Cottonwood and while we were in the area wanted to explore some options for boon-dock camping. That is some what off the beaten path for camping. Cottonwood did have some options but we found more of what we were looking to find in Sedona. Discovered views we had not seen before, plus wildflowers were blooming in the fields at the feet of the red rock formations, just beautiful. It was just what we needed. It is odd traveling out and about these days. We did the social distancing and traffic on the roads was very light. Many of the parks are close but there are still options to visit parks. One is sharing photos that we all take. Another is going to www.nps.gov site. 

Did you know this is National Parks Week, April 18 - 26th! On the web site they have a 20 virtual ideas for 2020. A great thing to check out if you are home teaching or a nature nerd.  We have Woodrow Wilson to thank for signing into being the National Park Service April 25, 1916. It is over 100 years old. The first park was established March 1, 1872 by Ulysses S. Grant. Any guesses which was the first? Check the pictures to find the answer.

Rick and I have had the opportunity to travel across our country a few times. We have been to many National and State Parks over the years but still have many more to explore. There are 61 National Parks within the 419 national sites, which includes monuments, waterways, protected land, the White House and much more. I share my photographs with artists. I try to use my own photo references for my art but there are times you just don't get the shot. That's when good friends share their photos, thank you Marilu. I do look at other free photo references and ask friends if I may use there photo as a reference. I use several photos at a time to create a painting. I may like the tree in one photo, the position of a bird in another with the close up for details in a few addition photos. Doing this makes my art work, different then the photograph, unique and one of a kind. Without National Parks I would have a lot fewer photo and references. That just makes me sad. I have been going through my photos lately, backing them up and making more room on my computer for you know, new photos. In doing this I have also had the pleasure of re-visiting some of the places we have seen on our road trips and enjoying the memories. 

Over this next week I will post new national park pictures on Facebook, along with artwork inspired by some of the National Parks. 

Here are a few picture for your enjoyment. If you would like to sign up to receive my blog and newsletter directly to your email you can do that on my website: www.lindaharrisonparsons.com

Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska (Not the first National Park)

Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park (Our first National Park)

Inspired by a trip to Alaska. Plein Air sketches of bears along Brooks River Falls.

                                                                                             What's on the easel - another octopus                        

I thought I would start April out with a few of the wonderful words that people posted for the "Inspiration: Tree of Life" art give away. I will just use their initials with the quote. 

"I love this picture. It's a reminder that life always finds a way. Also that your strength comes from your roots." M.D. 

"And our roots to the earth run deep..." R.P.

"Nature is so healing! And reminds us that roots grow deep and last longer than any problems." D.B.B.

"The roots seem to go on forever. Love the way the branches and roots run together or overlap." D.C. 

"So beautiful! It reflects the struggle and beauty of life." S.T. 

"Every time I look at this stunning painting I am struck with different emotions, ponder different symbolism and marvel at its truth." B.W. 

As I read these words again, I know I ask people to write something about the piece but it was also about how art inspires us, how art can help heal. The next few months we need the arts to lift our spirits. That was my main reason for doing this give away. A little something to give hope, maybe I will win. A little something to make us smile. 

I hope you all enjoyed seeing this work and look forward to seeing more. There are several projects underway, another octopus is currently on the easel. It is a larger piece 12X36" oil on wood. Still have a little owl piece sitting on the drawing table about 1/3 of the way done. After today I will need to wait a day or two for the octopus to dry before moving forward, maybe I will get to the small owl. I accepted a little challenge from one of the FB groups I belong to, of interpreting a sunset landscape photo in my own style. As you know landscapes are not my favorite subject. I have an idea to make it my own...more on that later. 

I will keep painting, sharing photos which I hope you not only enjoy but maybe one of them will inspire you to create something special of your own. Keep posting photos of your own. Keep writing beautiful words. Keep in touch with your friends and family. 

Thank you all for sharing your thoughts and your hearts. If you had not already seen the post Emily Boylan won the "Inspiration: Tree of Life" piece. Congratulations Emily!

Take care everyone.