arrow-right cart chevron-down chevron-left chevron-right chevron-up close menu minus play plus search share user email pinterest facebook instagram snapchat tumblr twitter vimeo youtube subscribe dogecoin dwolla forbrugsforeningen litecoin amazon_payments american_express bitcoin cirrus discover fancy interac jcb master paypal stripe visa diners_club dankort maestro trash

Shopping Cart


Artist Residency at Whiterock Conservancy

Seeds in the Wind


I was on a hike today and stopped to watch milkweed seeds...

2 years ago


Seeds in the Wind

2 years ago


I was on a hike today and stopped to watch milkweed seeds get blown back and forth in their cracked-open pod until a few of them took off in the wind. Tomorrow is my last full day of residency. I identified with those travelers.

Today I drove the Gator to the end of the Redrock Spur and did the Redrock Climb to a spectacular view over the river valley. Really. I wouldn’t have been surprised to see Julie Andrews up there, twirling and singing. I started this painting and will go back tomorrow with a chair, more sunscreen and more insect repellant. There are some yellows and oranges here now and a lot more brown than when I arrived. At the bottom of the trail, I met a family from Wisconsin who decided to ford the river to reach another trail. As they waded across I heard the son say, “We were just WALKING before…..now we’re HIKING!”

Watercolor sketch of river valley and hills


When I got back to the Riverhouse, I decided to paint the dance barn from a new side. Once I rolled the doors and windows open, it took on such a jolly character. And why not? It has been a legendary events hall since Prohibition. Need I say more?

black and white sketch of barn with ramp leading in and deck with stairs

I’ll continue to paint from photos after I am home and everything from the trip will be posted online for sale during November. So, this is not the last blog entry about Whiterock, just the last one before I leave the land.

7 comments


  • Love the river (of course!) but you stole my heart with the milkweeds and their friends…enchanting! The inside of the pod is totally bathed in light.

    Safe travels and I look forward to hearing more when you’re back in Riverside!

    Dorcey on

  • What a cool thing a residency, and a blog are — a view of a completely new place through your pictures and photos. ’Wish I could come on that hike with you today — and nap while you paint!

    Anna on

  • So often the way in life where a walk turn into a hike. I feel like this virtual walk with you turned into flight!

    Marie on

  • So lovely! Can’t believe how quickly time passed!

    Cat Riker on

  • Thea, what a wonderful sense of place your blog conveys. It’s been so worthwhile to follow your journey through your paintings as well as your words.

    Sue Simoneau on

Leave a comment

Related Products

Above the River
Regular price
$30.00

Above the River


Unit price per