I was not surprised to find that the image of cool green ferns was an inviting one to people but that the snake ( look at the next image below) was not so welcomed. Snakes will always be beautiful to those who love them. For those who do not , I inked this picture of lovely christmas ferns w/ their cinnamin colored spores . I especially wanted to highlight the graceful curl of newcome fern fronds with their silvery haired , soft as silk spines. I mixed in some Trout Lily, Dogtooth Lily to those from other parts of the country as they often share the same dark damp patches of earth.

The original image has been SOLD to a lovely couple in Virginia. Limited Edition Signed & Numbered prints are still available.  The prints come in one size 10" x 8" for $45.00.   Note cards are available by special request.

A friend once said that I make unusual artistic choices and from the reaction  to the news that my latest picture was of a snake (ewwww) ....well, I have to smile.  I was brought up in a place where a hike in the woods was more likely than watching TV.  I felt , feel, embraced and sheltered when surrounded completely by green , tree's canopy above and soft moss below. In between there are the rocks & ferns and through them are the well traveled paths that we make or the obscure ones that deer follow to water everyday. As we walked  we heard the caution...be careful of snakes. I couldnt be honest as an artist about representing the creatures that live so close and yet so quietly beside us , if I left out this common , beautiful snake. I lived years thinking it was called a garden snake. Then I heard garter snake.   It is a harmless creature , pretty in the way all scaled animals are .  

This painting ( to my thinking) is the masculine mirror to the feminine of Grace's Fig.  Cool Shady Places amounts to a pile of triangles,  set on their wide bases , a primitive representation of the phallas. Snakes themselves are isolated by Freud as being dream symbols of manhood. I bring both ideas together in a picture of ferns shielding the snake. This snake , male or female... it doesnt matter to me.  For the most part I wanted to present the snake as I think of it , resting cool & quiet beneath green , minding it's own business, watching out for wayward feet.    

The original image "Cool Shady Places" measures 18" x 14" and is available for $2600.00.  There are limited edition , signed and numbered prints available for purchase however . The larger measures  15-1/4" x 12"   and the smaller print measures  10-1/2" x 8"  .  There are also blank note cards in packs of five with this image on them that are for sale as well .   Prices are listed below.

• Large Print of Cool Shady Places      $ 80.00

• Small Print  of Cool Shady Places      $ 45.00

• note cards pkg of 5 w/ 5 envelopes    $ 6.00

contact me with questions or comments ~ artistdelaware@yahoo.com