Cathedral State Park

...Young Hemlock...

Yesterday, I went with my art buddies, Judy and Maria, to Cathedral State Park, near Aurora, WV. It is one of the last stands of virgin forest in the state. Ironic, that in the presence of huge 300 year-old trees, I would be most attracted to a young sapling, but I liked its expressive gesture. With all the chaos of detail, simplifying was a challenge. I used charcoal that Maria had made in her grill, from maple wood. It is smoother and gives a more sensitive line than any commercial charcoal I've used. Thanks Maria!