Peaceable Farm

Peaceable Farm 30x40” oil on panel ©2023 Susan McDonnell

Above is one of six paintings in my show, “Radiant Realm”, inspired by my time spent at Apricot Lane Farms , the subject of the documentary film, “The Biggest Little Farm”.

The hill with the eucalyptus trees is Allan York Overlook. Allan York mentored John and Molly Chester as they planned and created their bio diverse and regenerative farm.

As I was creating this painting it pulled me more and more into the styles of American Regionalism and Folk Realism. When visiting Apricot Lane Farms, I had the impression of a place separate from the prevalent industrial farms of the present. The impression was of a farm bringing the intelligent systems of nature used in the past back to the present, where they belong.

Apricot Lane Farms is a certified organic, regenerative farm working in harmony with nature, a beautiful testament to what is possible for the future of our planet.

Peaceable Kingdom is part of my show “Radiant Realm” currently on view through December 2, 2023 at Sullivan Goss Gallery in Santa Barbara, California.

Radiant Realm

 We live in a radiant realm. The light of the sun illuminates and reveals the beauty of the birds, animals, flowers, trees, mountains and waters of the Earth. We live in paradise. As far as we know, no other planet has what we have. These paintings are meditations on moments when the light causes us to pause and simply look at the wonder of it all.

October 14, 2023