HE SPEAKS FOR THE TREES

Over a year passed before I had the courage to take the original sketch to paint on this large 48" x 60" canvas.  Technically, this was my first attempt at landscape painting.  The California Delta is a special place, so close to Sacramento, but a world away.  This beautiful scene is in Clarksburg over looking the vineyards. It's actually a dear friend's backyard.

This painting is a tribute to a dear friend who has spent the past 35 years, nearly his entire career, serving the public and creating nearly all of the groundbreaking environmental and energy policy in California.  He sent me a picture on his blackberry (see first slide below) and it inspired me to first draw it in prismacolor pencils.   So a special "thank you, my friend" for making California's air and water cleaner, for pushing for renewable, clean energy and banishing coal and other unclean energy.  And for always having the public good in the front of your mind.  California needs more public servants like you.

My daughter asked what he did for work and when we walked away, she leaned over to me and said, "Mom, he is like the Lorax, he speaks for the trees."

I WAS HERE by Beyonce

I wanna leave my footprints on the sands of time
Know there was something that and something that I left behind
When I leave this world I'll leave no regrets
Leave something to remember so they won't forget

I was here, I lived, I loved
I was here, I did, I've done everything that I wanted
And it was more than I thought it would be
I will leave my mark so everyone will know I was here

I wanna say I lived each day until I died
And know that I meant something in somebody's life
The hearts I have touched will be the proof that I leave
That I made a difference and this world will see

I was here, I lived, I loved
I was here, I did, I've done everything that I wanted
And it was more than I thought it would be
I will leave my mark so everyone will know