The Whispering Wood

One evening, just before dusk, the forest called me out.

I wandered, mindful of every footfall in the whipsering wood.  

A Thrush and a Veery sang their fluting songs - the mamma

birds putting their babies to sleep, my mother used to say. 

Though I often walk this way, journeying at the edge of the 

light was an entirely different experience. 

I found myself on a mossy stone, where I often sit and sing, 

transported by the call of one tiny frog.

I sensed watchers all around, wondering why I came 

in the hours reserved for them.  

I am grateful to be feeling a bit better, to be full-time in the studio 

this summer. I feel free to wander and dream. It has been a long time 

since I've had such space. Blue-gray winter shifts to misty, healing green, 

and I find myself lost in a quiet meditation while painting this new work. 

"Spring Mists", watercolor, 15" x22", VClaff 2013

"Forest Glade", watercolor, 15" x22", VClaff 2013

  

painting - almost done

"Spring Green", watercolor, 11"x30", VClaff 2013

 I've been watching a bloodroot leaf change, 

and have become obsessed with the sublte shifts in color. 

In the studio today, Grace's Grass Woman reached out her 

hand and asked for the leaf - a spectacular combination, 

I must say! ( and I love the spiraling shadow behind her head)

In the garden, the Mountain Laurel bursts exuberantly 

beside the Spirea, but out in the forest, the show 

belongs to the laurel. 

Rarely do I see the tree frogs, but this mid-summer visitor slept all day 

in a crevice on my deck, except when I came around to see if he was 

still there. I finally had a chance to thank this beautiful creature for 

his song. Go here for a sample of the sounds of summer 

at RavenWood.