As you wander through acres of private land in northern Michigan, the cool fall air brings the scent of fresh apples which are growing in a small orchard nearby. You walk over and pick one from the tree, clean it off on your shirt, and take a bite. It's wonderful, crisp and sweet, and you continue your walk as you enjoy your snack. Soon you come across a patch of old, scraggly forest covered in burnt orange, yellow, and brown autumn leaves. In the center of the patch, regally disheveled, is a grand old birch tree who's clearly seen better days. The tree, old and battered, looks down on you, and as it does a breeze blows it's branches and for a moment you have the feeling that you've been welcomed to it's home and it's glad to have you. It's silly to think such things, but still, the feeling persists.

This painting was based on a photograph I took while visiting a family member's home in northern Michigan. The land we roamed across hadn't been visited in some time, and there was so much beauty that had been hiding out there. It made me realize how much I love old, battered trees. This painting was done using heavy-bodied acrylic on wood.