September in Black Moshannon State Park

After a very busy summer that saw me working in my studio more than outside -- not my preference during the best season -- I'm pleased to have the opportunity to get out and paint more as my art show season winds down. I'm continuing my plein air painting series of works done in Pennsylvania's Black Moshannon State Park. Yesterday, I ventured out ahead of the arrival of Tropical Storm Hanna and worked on a piece along the Moss Hanne hiking trail during the late afternoon. The weather here yesterday was fairly hot for September, with the high nearly reaching 90 degrees at our home. But the park is located at a significantly higher elevation than our home, so it's always about 5-10 degrees cooler. A welcome relief on such warm days.

A postcard from the easel, showing "Black Moshannon No. 21 - September" in progress

Seen here, you have a sneak peek at "Black Moshannon, No. 21 - September." I've sold all but two pieces out of this series; one of those two I gave to some dear friends of ours as a house warming gift when they moved to New York last year. Regardless, I'm pleased with the reception that this series of paintings has received. Even at a show in the Chicago area a few weeks ago, I sold the predecessor to this piece (Black Moshannon, No. 20 - July Morning) to a couple from Missouri.

I continue to enjoy this venue as one of my favorite sources of inspiration for my landscape work. Yesterday, the first hints of fall colors were beginning to emerge. This is very exciting because the colors can be absolutely breathtaking during the peak season, which usually falls around the first week of October.

Unfortunately, plans are still afoot to put a dump (yes, a garbage dump) in proximity to this state park. You can read more about this debacle in one of my earlier posts as well as by visiting the web site of People Protecting Communities.

Annie relaxes near my easel

Despite vocal public opposition from residents in Snow Shoe Township, plans for this dump persist and have been recirculated in different manners over the past couple of years. People Protecting Communities needs financial help to continue the ongoing legal battle against these plans. Please consider making a contribution if you agree that a trashy dump next to one of Pennsylvania's most beautiful areas is a bad idea.