The Gift to be Simple II

The Gift to be Simple II 12" x 12" Available at Etsy

My paintings are a kind of Contemporary Americana, celebrating the rural landscape. The title of this piece comes from a Shaker melody: 

"'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free
'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
'Twill be in the valley of love and delight."

Promise of Living

 Promise of Living. Oil painting on canvas 24" x 24". Available on Etsy.

This is a larger version of a painting I did a few months ago, which was very popular and was sold by Serena & Lily Bazaar. The title comes from a piece of Aaron Copland's Tender Land opera. It is a simple image, but is painted in thick impasto with a lot of great texture. I always paint the edges, so it can be hung with or without a frame.