> Gold Mt Republic, WA 12"x48" This little town nestled in the mountains of Eastern Washington is a bootstrap community in the throes of re-inventing their economy that went the way of so many rural communities dependent on natural resources of logging, mining and ranching. The golden mountain was just that, the Knob Hill Gold Mine which was the oldest longest producing gold mine in the U.S. before it shut down.
Since then, mines have come and gone as is the nature of the boom or bust industry of mining. Today like so many communities where the economy has hit the bottom artists and craftsman such as myself are some of the few that have discovered what's left, the beauty and quality of life that has always been here. Deer, bear, moose and eagles all thrive in this land of mountains and clear streams, a haven that I am grateful to live and paint in. It's not surprising that a community that was nurtured by the blood, sweat and tears of the mining life should have such a difficult time re-inventing its economy. Ghost towns do happen.
This painting leapt off the easle into the home of one of my favorite patrons, Kate Kienast. Thanks Kate and Merry Christmas to you and Peter. Cheers! to All!
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