Rachel Smith Maher ~ Artist and Poet

I have had so much fun creating my "Birches" series. This one is "Winter Birches II". Hope you enjoy! More to come!

This painting is of a special place in Maine--Prouts Neck in Scarborough overlooking the sand dunes at Ferry Beach. This winter scene captured my attention a few years ago, and I'm excited to have put brush to paper to interpret the beauty. The pine tree stands as a sentinel over the dunegrass, rejoicing in the solitude that winter on Maine beaches brings. Soon there will be footprints on the sand and children's laughter echoing off the ocean waves. Until then, the tree will witness each wonderous moment.

I've been painting trees...lots of trees. Birches, oaks, pines, apple trees, scrub brush, everything! I've added two examples below. Check them out! I love how the birches reach out from the edge of the woods, and extend their wiry red branches upward. What are they reaching for? I had to capture that image on canvas. It's almost as if they are pushing out from the evergreens, pushing through the shady darkness into the light. We humans are not so different from the trees. We gather up out inner strength to push through the darkness, reaching for the light. Ahh, finding that warm ray of sunshine satisfies the soul.