The forest is my spiritual haven, a personal refuge. It is a peaceful place to relax, walk, meditate, and be with my own thoughts. Silence is found here, until I listen closely and then it becomes alive in its own chorus. My spirit soars as my body restores balance. I feel the weight and presence of the tall, thick trunks that bend as they hit the sky, like guardians that shield me from the world beyond. As sunlight sprinkles through moving leaves far above, it reminds me of the colored light that filters through the clerestory stained glass windows of great churches.

I believe there are many such spaces as these, places that give people peace and clarity and help us remember our innate wellness. These places are where problems become less important, and where we can simply remember the joy of living. I have been thinking about how we are all connected. I believe there is an energy flowing through all things, whether it is rock, tree, sky or human. This belief has led me to reflect upon my choice to paint the forest landscape as an expression of a worldview of joyful interdependence.