Old Route 17
A stream near Old Route 17, deep in the Catskill Mountains of New York State
12”x16” Watercolor on 300 lb. Arches Cold Press Paper
A stream near Old Route 17, deep in the Catskill Mountains of New York State
12”x16” Watercolor on 300 lb. Arches Cold Press Paper
A stream near Old Route 17, deep in the Catskill Mountains of New York State
12”x16” Watercolor on 300 lb. Arches Cold Press Paper
Behind the Painting
Somewhere off Old Route 17, I closed down the bar singing karaoke and walked home past empty buildings and moonlit churches. Two deer in the woods watched me, just barely touched by the streetlight.
I woke up and chose a point on the map to walk to. Parksville Jewish Cemetery. Rusty gate, chain link fence. Rows of headstones as tall as me, stacked close, old and new. Wet turf, words carved in granite. “His life a noble tree gave us fruit and shade.”
I walked on, and turned down a dead end road. I stopped at an unnamed creek. Trees casting shadows on the winter ground. Green moss and lichens sharp against brown sticks and leaves. Low murmur of water. Sunlight on ripples and stones. I stood and painted the trees and shade.
