I recently wrote about a new art series that I’m working on. This is the first painting in the new series titled “Places of My Heart’s Delight.” I’m calling this first in the series painting “A Place of Heart’s Delight.”

The theme is based upon the thoughts I’ve had over the last couple of years during the pandemic regarding my future. I think COVID has made a lot of people think deeply about what’s really important to them. I’m approaching retirement age and am thinking about where I want to spend my time. There are numerous considerations: practicality, where is my heart, cost of living, access to services, and so much more. How do I reason my way through it all to make a choice? What role should my heart play in the decision? Which place is my heart more connected to?

I don’t have any answers to any of these questions yet. I flip and flop back and forth on a constant basis. I envisioned this series of paintings as a visual rumination of this big debate. In this particular painting, I’ve married two of the top contenders, Santa Clara Valley, CA where I currently live, and mid-Michigan where I grew up. The spring flowering orchard scene could be from either location. The Santa Clara Valley was once filled with plum tree orchards. Michigan has numerous orchards throughout the state, including the Traverse City area, which is known for it’s amazing cherry tree orchards, but also apple orchards can be found all around Michigan.

The orange poppies are very California-specific. Michigan doesn’t have spring poppy blooms covering the hillsides. The antique tractor is a shout out to the antique tractor club that I remember from my youth in Michigan. The club was very active, with enthusiastic members who participated in parades, local fairs, and more. Watching those quirky old machines chug along and participate in pulling contests was always a highlight.

This painting doesn’t answer my questions, but it brings a smile to my face as I appreciate what I love so much about both places, the places of my heart’s delight.

Here are a few close-ups. The blossoms were painted using a plastic spoon. It turned out to be the perfect blossom-making utensil.