An old friend who was born in Livingston once told me that when he travelled the world and remembered home, this is the spot where he imagined himself to be.
I have painted it a few times. Once as a present to my son when he went away to college so he would have a talisman on the wall reminding him of home.
I included the empty bench to indicate this invitation my town extends to you. You can sit here and contemplate the mountains and the river. There will likely also be activity from others who are drawn to this spot. It is popular for dog walkers, kids on bikes, friends taking a stroll together, and anyone working out a problem by walking. If you have lived here for a while you are quite likely to meet someone you know, and be surprised by all the folks you don't. Everyone drawn here to the consonance of river and mountain.
We have become a city of benches and we seem to be adding more. A bench is a place one can go to contemplate.
A Happy Place. My Happy Place.
Oil on board. 8"x10"