The Good Life - Fine Artist June Dudley painter of realistic country gardens, poetic landscape paintings, and nostalgic scenes

"The Good Life"

The Sabinal River flows right through Lost Maples and in places it is ankle deep where in other places it might be three to four feet deep or deeper, and it is sparkling clear where you can see right through it to the rocks on the bottom of the riverbed. In places the river narrows to a stream and splits so that you can go in varying directions. It is in a rather isolated part of the state, but an absolutely gorgeous spot. It is the only place in Texas where maples grow naturally, & in the fall the maples are many shades of reds, yellows, & oranges. The maples that grow naturally are the Uvalde Big Tooth maples. With its limestone canyon walls, spectacular color displays, and elevations varying from 1800 to over 2200 feet it is an awesome sight to behold especially in the fall when not only the maples, but also the cottonwoods are changing colors while the evergreens still hold their deep rich greens.

I have been to Lost Maples many times and under varying weather conditions & in all seasons. “The Good Life” was researched during the fall, and the colors were magnificent. What appealed to me were all the golden hues in the distant mountains along with the way the Sabinal flowed through the landscape, the barren trees, the massive rock formations, and the design/composition that was just about perfect as it was without me having to make any adjustments. Then there was this spectacular lighting on everything and all the autumn colors reflected in the gently flowing water so what more could an artist want for a painting than what was right here? It was the perfect place to put a cowboy with his horse just relaxing and enjoying the view. That was why I titled it “The Good Life” because a cowboy with his horse in a place like this is indeed enjoying all of God’s richest blessings and is indeed living the good life.

Personally, for me to have been blessed with the talent to paint and to be blessed with people who enjoy and appreciate my paintings, it entitles me to live “The Good Life” also and for that I am very thankful.