"The Best Journeys Take you Home"
A cheerful but weary gnome makes his way down a winding path towards his quaint little home under an old oak. The last rays of the day light the path that leads to his home nestled next to a babbling stream and where he has left a lamp burning on his front porch and the light inside, the praises of a warm welcome. 

I walk almost everyday, exploring different neighborhoods and parks while I work out the troubles of the day and taking in the newness of the area or in new the simple visual treasures that a different lighting effect brings to my attention. I always have my phone with me so that I can take pictures of anything that catches my eye. I allow my imagination to create small narratives inspired by these sights and this is the result of one of those narratives. My wife and I were able to get away during the summer Covid isolation to a cabin in the northern woods of Georgia where we discovered many walking paths and streams that served as some of the inspiration for this painting. I filmed the painting in progress and made a video to share with my students who are curious about oil painting, but it also serves as an example of creating an enticing environment. You can see the painting in progress below.