Spring Creek at Fisherman's Paradise

In 2023 I partnered with ClearWater Conservancy to create an artistic body of work to raise money and awareness for conserving more of our central Pennsylvania landscapes. I hiked along as an artist-in-residence with their Centred Outdoors program and created a collection of twelve pastel paintings highlighting beautiful places and conservation issues.

Ushering in my painting project at Spring Creek Canyon seemed perfectly fitting. After all, fifteen years back I worked to protect a couple thousand acres here when its fate was still uncertain. As ClearWater's Executive Director, I helped to facilitate the plan to conserve the canyon lands, protect the stream, and open the streamside trail for the community’s use. After a short hike with the group, I doubled back to the trailhead at Fisherman’s Paradise and set up my easel in a bit of shade to capture the essence of the place en plein air. The hikers loved watching my painting evolve as they returned and gathered around.