Florida's Native Landscapes

Eternal
Oil on panel, 7x5

Eternal is a plein air study of Ollie's Pond, in North Port, Florida.  Ollie's Pond is in a small park that is surrounded by a beautiful, native landscape with sandy paths.  It is in an area that is still lightly developed, and hasn't been replaced by the horrible, artificial monoculture that is swallowing up Florida.  It is sad to see the relentless destruction of our native lands and wildlife corridors as the powerful, well-heeled development industry dismantle the laws that protect our environment.  I feel like I'm painting paradise before it vanishes forever.  Many of the new residents who buy homes here have no idea what the real Florida used to look like, or how unique it once was.