SOLD_Mystic Moments | Original Painting

Lots of the above images are by Lia Sol, Check out her photography website here: Lia Sol

Painting this piece was a truly magical experience! I was not alone; my good friend Lia accompanied me. We were out for a filming project, as she was creating a video featuring my art. To add to the enchantment of the day, we were paid an unexpected visit by a tiny, friendly hummingbird!

Lia shared that the hummingbird holds a special place in her heart as a symbol of her grandfather. I can totally relate because I recently adopted a gnome in memory of my own grandfather.

Had Lia had her camera ready, we could have captured the moment the hummingbird came right up to my face, coming within just a few inches, making eye contact in an inexplicable manner. However, we were so entranced by the experience that we missed the opportunity to film as we watched the delicate bird gracefully fly away and return repeatedly, even landing on a nearby branch. I had never seen a hummingbird land before; they are such small and mesmerizing creatures.

While summer has faded into memory, the vibrancy of those flowers in the painting remains captured in time. This particular moment was serendipitous, as it left a perfect empty spot in my painting where I later added the hummingbird.

In addition to the magical encounter with the hummingbird, I also took the time to touch up the rest of the painting. It was a bit of a rush, considering we were painting at dusk, with the dark fog descending rapidly. Lia's ability to capture amazing pictures in those conditions is a testament to her skill as a photographer.

Our adventure was not without its thrills and a touch of fear. We inadvertently left behind bear spray, something one should never do in Montana. However, we wisely stayed close to the safety of our car. While I was thoroughly enjoying the act of painting, I couldn't help but feel a healthy fear of the surrounding nature, particularly as dusk is the time when all the animals come out. In fact, we had a memorable encounter with some elk grazing above us. If I had captured them on canvas, they would be right there in the painting, fading into the fog among the first set of trees.

I really hope that these memorable moments find their place in Lia's video, as they added an extra layer of enchantment to this incredible journey.