The long story goes like this: I was looking for a spot to paint on the Haw River near the Bynum pedestrian bridge. Two boys with a pellet gun told me I could turn left at the end of the bridge (where there is access to the river, but no trail) and when I get to the gate at the end of the street, I could walk as far as I wanted. On the gate was a no trespassing sign with the name Ricky Spoon and phone number. So I called Ricky and he allowed access. It turns out Ricky is a well-known developer in Pittsboro with a reputation. I never found a trail to the river, so I cut through the unkempt woods to get there.
Red and black cicadas were all over. And it turns out that they like oil paint. Either that or the natural turpenoid I was using. One cicada was trying to eat the can.
The painting makes me hear the water flowing, the Cidadas on the background and I can picture the shrubs swaying back and forth from the rush of the water. Simply beautiful