Provenance
Acquired by American Legacy Fine Arts directly from the artist
Artist Statement
“Riley’s Farm in Oak Glen, California, has become a special place of refuge for our family, and one of our regular destinations. Our sons love the farmland and to be able to experience performances of the Civil War and American Revolution reenactments that are held there. An extra treat is the colonial-period dinners at the cantina that include freshly-baked classic apple pies made from apples grown right on the farm. The dinners are accompanied by remarkable renditions of the famed Patrick Henry speech recited by the incomparable Jim Riley, owner of the farm.
Meanwhile for me, Riley’s Farm has become a great place for nature study, especially during the magic time of apple blossom season in spring. The mutually magnifying relationship of color and tonality has become a special area of my visual interest in recent years. The subtleties of the apple blossoms create a feeling and sensation of quietude. The breathtaking shimmer of the pale yellowish-white petals accentuated by gleaming pink buds are contrasted by flaming green fresh leaves – the magnificent scene is set against enchanting mountain slopes. The fragrance and colors of the blossoms attract busy bees perpetuating pollination. In these moments, nature speaks its eternal verses.”
