April Light by watercolor artist Nita Engle

 

"One quiet April morning I went out into the woods with my camera in search of patterns. Hours later, I came dragging home, feet wet and a head dazzled by a day of wonders.

"The day's plan was to follow the river behind my house wherever it led - into the heart of the forest, through the woods and meadows, and out to the highway - photographing the river ice as it melted. This is possible only for a day or two in the spring, and predicting which days the ice will go is harder than knowing when the color will peak in the fall. If these days happen to be dull and overcast, then opportunity for good photography is lost for another year. This day, however, the sun was brilliant in the woods - glittering on the ice, glowing through the snow and blazing on the water - all exciting and all materials for future paintings.

"But it was not until I came round a bend, out of the woods and into the open fields, that I was struck with the full force of this incredible April light over the whole scene. The river was platinum and old silver, the shadows violet and rose, the grasses golden. It was instinctive to stand still, to listen and look, to be engulfed by the immense silence and calm. The whole atmosphere was melting, and the very air over the fields and meadows seemed to be filled with peace. One luminous, enchanting day and all hardships of living in the north are forgotten." - Nita Engle.

 

Print released 1984