Palmetto Island Adventure

Well today was an adventure for me.  I decided needed  to get outdoors and plein air paint today.  I don't especially care to go alone, but couldn't find anyone who was available to paint, so off I went.  I drove through Abbeville, LA on my way to Jefferson Island (Rip Van Winkle Gardens) and stopped in at the Vermilion Arts Counsel to look around.  I visited with two wonderful people there who recommended The Palmetto Island State Park as a place I might light to paint...well, I thought, yes but maybe some other day.

 Okay, so I was on a mission, headed to Jefferson Island to paint, right.  I chose Jefferson Island because there was an area I noticed in full bloom last time I was there that I wanted to capture.

As I got closer, this little lady peacock was hiding in that tree.  I was afraid to scare her off if I got too close and I couldn't go trampling through the beautiful flowers, so this is the best I could do. She was so beautiful but independent.  Turn around!  Look over here!  Oh well...




I guess my artistic intuition/feelings surfaced.  I took a few pictures and decided not to paint there today.  I will return some other day.  Hmmm...

I left Jefferson Island, headed for home.  When I passed through Abbeville, I don't know what happened, I turned left instead of right and headed for Palmetto Island.   I was very impressed when I arrived there ... cabins, campgrounds, nature trails, canoe trails, ponds, lagoons and the Vermilion River. I decided to check out the WHOLE place before settling in somewhere to paint.  I don't think I missed very much.

Finally, I stopped at this wonderful little creek and painted this picture I named "Hidden Creek".  It was so peaceful here, I wished I could have stayed longer.  While painting, I remembered to keep watch for alligators just in case (see post of Monday, March 26, 2012) .

"Hidden Creek"
(6 x 6 - oils on canvas panel)





On my way out of the park, I decided to ride by the nature trail to check out the irises in bloom.
Beautiful!


Well I'm back home safe and sound but I really enjoyed my adventure today, found a great place to paint and enjoy nature.  More adventures to follow...