Waterfall with Rhododendron

This original acrylic painting is from my series titled "Appalachia", depicting landscapes and plants of the area where I grew up. This body of work is an exploration of the childlike perception of my memory juxtaposed with my adult understanding, a powerful tension that I believe we are all carrying in some capacity.
 
"Appalachia" invites viewers into that tension— to witness the beauty and grief of honoring the landscape of the past, while also mapping the emotional terrain of healing and transition. While rooted in personal memory and loss, these paintings also stand in celebration of the Appalachian landscape itself— the wildflowers, trees, and streams that continue to inspire.
 
In this orignial acrylic painting, "Waterfall with Rhododendron",  I wanted to capture the magical feeling of sitting by a beautiful creek as the sun descends. I have many memories of playing in the creek and the textures of the moss under my hands as I climbed boulders, the pebbles under my feet as walked through the stream, and the cool water moving around my body. 
 
Acrylic on Raw Canvas
30 x 18 x 0.75 in