PLEIN AIR PAINTING KATAHDIN, BAXTER STATE PARK
MAINE FALL 2014
Katahdin and the Last Miles of the Appalachian Trail Oil on Linen 18 x 36 |
Last Fall Alexandra Tyng and I went painting in
Baxter State Park, Maine and up the Golden Road. I was inspired by the
new book the Art of Katahdin by David Little and my nephew's recent 3rd climb
to the top of Katahdin. It is about a 10 hour climb. This view
encompasses the last miles of the Appalachain Trail which ends
unceremoniously in an opening in the trees on the Golden Road. You
will see thin, bearded hikers spilling onto the road. Often there is a
car with family members to greet them. Their hike is not quite done
as they then must cross over and summit Katahdin to complete their
journey.
We had the most amazing trip into the wilderness!! One morning we
left at 8 am and traveled down a logging road to a clear cut with a panoramic
view of the Katahdin range including North and South Turner and Double Top
mountains. It was a cool crisp morning and our Maine Guide
was intent on finding us a moose! He kept hanging out the window with his
moose caller. We saw moose tracks, but as our guide explained the moose were in
their rutting season (mating) and were often hard to find.
Moose Tracks |
The expanse of landscape was hard to comprehend with so many stands
of trees, islands, and ribbons of water. There was a pale peach hue on
the horizon and mist hanging and lifting below the mountains. I felt so
totally privileged to paint this magnificent scene. The camera failed
at capturing the scene as it squishes the mountains and can not see
the kaleidoscope of colors across the vista.
The View |
So Happy Painting Katahdin from the Logging Road - This is what I love about plein air painting! |
Alex and I perched in our painting spots with our Maine guide watching over us! |
Katahdin was donated to the State of Maine by Governor Percival P. Baxter. So I leave you with Governor Baxter's words above..... |
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