Discovering Natural Beauty in Your Own Back
Yard:
Intimate Dimensions of Drawing and Painting
For those who enjoy going out into the landscape to commune
with the natural world and to experience the beauty in nature that soothes and
re-invigorates the soul, like me, you might have a special appreciation for
natural areas and preserves that are part of our local, state and national
parks.
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| "Geometry of Light" by Linda L. Anderson. 20" x 30" Mixed Water-Media on Paper. My paintings, prints and drawings are inspired by my direct experiences and connections with the natural world. |
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| Autumn view of the Shenandoah River at the "Andy Guest" Shenandoah River State Park. |
I am blessed to live in the Shenandoah Valley of Northern
Virginia—where there are several state and national parks, and other unique areas
of natural beauty—such as the crystal Caverns of Luray, Skyline Caverns and the
Shenandoah Caverns. People come from all
of the corners of our nation—and even from outside of the United States to experience
the mountains, valleys and trees of this region.
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| The natural beauty and wonders of the Shenandoah Valley and surrounding mountain chains is found below ground and above ground. Photo: Amazing sculptural form is in abundance at Luray Caverns. |
I have had several occasions to enjoy the forested and
mountain-framed wonders of the area. One
of my favorite locations is the Shenandoah River State Park— a landscape that I
find especially beautiful in the autumn. And I have found inspiration for
several of my “Dimensional Landscapes” in connection with trekking through the
old growth forests of the George Washington National Forest, and during a
memorable journey southward, along the Blue Ridge Mountains, from Front Royal,
Virginia to Asheville, North Carolina.
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| Enjoying the simple pleasures nature offers: At the North Carolina Arboretum near Asheville, North Carolina. |
There is an amazing variety of nature’s beauty on a grand
scale all along these mountainous valleys. And there is no end to the sources
of inspiration for my landscape paintings—which are born in these moments of
directly connecting to the spirit of this land.
While I truly enjoy all that these parks and areas of natural
history and beauty offer, I know there is an equally wondrous and inspiring
beauty in the familiar landscapes that we inhabit. These landscapes are always
available for us to step into and to enjoy.
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| Beautiful rhythms, lines and textures inspire artistic activities within footsteps the front boor. |
When I was a young girl, I loved going into the back garden
to explore the trees and flowers my father had planted, and to lie back in the
grass and let my imagination join the changing configurations of cloud patterns
in the sky. It was these early moments
of connection with the natural world that are the living roots of my art that
celebrates the beauty of nature.
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| View of the back garden: Red-buds and Pines in early Spring. Front Royal, VA |
Even now, I appreciate the familiar landscapes of home and
community. As an artist, I enjoy
strolling out into the garden or community park. It is a fulfilling experience to explore beauty
and to respond to these intimate environments with art materials in-hand. In these moments of appreciating the
aesthetic variety in my own back yard, I have found treasures of solace and
wonder.
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| Moon rising through the trees: Front Royal, VA |
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| "December in Moonlight" by Linda L. Anderson. 48" x 36" Acrylic on Canvas and Original Intaglio Prints on Paper. $5,580 |
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