Wild Rhododendron

This 24″ x 30″ oil painting is called “Wild Rhododendron.”

I came upon this peacefully glowing scene recently while exploring in the woods not too far from my home in Oregon.

The intense light of the sun bursting towards us between the two large trees illuminates the foliage in the foreground.

The leaves of the wild rhododendron growing there on the forest floor are soaking up the rays of the sun, some of the leaves glowing all the way through with bright white light.

The forest fills the background with hazy nebulous tree shapes. The glowing light fills all the space. Hints of gold among the branches indicate moss and lichen glittering with sunlight.

The indistinct underbrush in the shadows emerges from the dark earth, little sticks and branches criss-crossing and tangling.

All this plant life exists simply, contentedly growing right where it was planted, kissed by the sun.

This warm, golden painting is a meditation on contentment, on growing happily where we are planted, and catching simple moments of sunshine.

Hung on the wall, the painting glows so brightly it seems like a source of light!