The Carolina Collection
Our N.C. State Park Adventures ended the exact same way that they began…by watching our children peal with laughter as they jumped up and down in muddy puddles with as much Peppa Pig gusto as anyone could muster! In January of 2020 they splashed to their hearts’ content in chilly red mud at Haw River State Park and by December 31 of 2020 we all stood on the bank of the Pamlico River and watched a stormy gust of cold rain and fog sweep across the water headed straight toward us. My first instinct was to run for the minivan, but I have always loved a good storm, and if there’s one thing 2020 taught me it was to stand my ground.
We didn’t run. We turned to watch the rain heading toward us. The energy and emotion of a landscape turned wild still makes my blood race. Hold on tight! Here it comes!
This gust turned out to be more bark than bite and we stayed near the edge of the water exploring the sandy banks of the river below majestic live oaks even as the rain poured. No one else was there, which made the experience surreal. Water droplets glistened on the Spanish moss hanging above us, and two things came to mind. First, a gentle peace and sigh of relief that we made it through 2020. My second thought was a little pang of sadness that our year of state park adventures was ending. Even though it was hard in terms of worrying about the pandemic while trying to keep loved ones safe, we learned to parent and work without the usual supports of school, friends, restaurants or office buildings. Looking back, it was hard as hell, but also easily one of the best years of my life. My love language is quality time, and 2020 gave all of us that in an overwhelming way.
People ask me what my favorite state park adventure was and I have trouble answering that because we had so many favorites. It’s like naming a favorite child—I just can’t do it! I love them for different reasons and I can yap about that as long as you’ll let me! When we are empty nesters, I know I will look back and cherish the memories of our children exploring the shallow water at the Eno River in the summer, yelping when one spotted a snake. I loved marveling at the gallons of water gushing from giant waterfalls at Gorges State Park around July 4th last year. The red color of fall leaves mixed with the bulbous bases of giant Cypress tree reflections in the swamp at Lake Waccamaw left me in awe. I had never seen a landscape like that before, and yet it was right here in N.C. the whole time!
At Weymouth Woods, I felt small and insignificant in the best way as we stood under the oldest known living Longleaf Pine in the entire world. By best estimation, it germinated in 1548. I still can’t wrap my head around that. I had a blast watching the kids play in the waves on the beach in November at Carolina Beach State Park. We searched for a Venus Fly Trap, but never found one. I guess we will just have to go back. Perhaps that’s the real secret sauce of the state parks.
My favorite memory is just exploring with the folks I love. Although we all got super cool t-shirts and matching trucker hats in a prize pack, the real prize is something that I can’t tell you about with words alone. I’ll just have to show you with all the joy and curiosity that I’ve poured into paintings and hope that you can feel the magic too.
This collection goes live at 8 a.m. on Friday, October 8th for Studio Insiders and then opens to the public at 10 a.m. At least one original painting from each park will be included. There are over 40 smaller gouache paintings on paper as well as a handful of oil paintings available. Most of the collection will also be on display at The O’Brien Gallery in Greensboro, but a select few will be reserved for my Studio Insiders only. To browse and shop before the public, join my Studio Insiders list here.
Join me for a Lunch & Learn October 8th at 11:30 a.m. at the gallery, followed by an opening reception at 6 p.m. I’ll demonstrate my watercolor and gouache techniques at the Lunch & Learn and you can watch me paint while you nosh. A landscape workshop in oils will follow on Sunday, October 10th at the gallery. Together we will re-create “Into the Blue,” a beautiful marsh scene featuring a cobalt blue sky. To register for the Lunch & Learn or the workshop, contact Kathy O’Brien at 336.707.7476. I sure hope to see you there!
2022 Calendars featuring The Carolina Collection are now available in limited quantity. To order, click here.