Paynes Prairie Moon, oil painting

Paynes Prairie Moonrise Study
© 2011 Karen F. Rose
oil on canvas
8x10"
available

In March of this year a spectacular perigee full moon was scheduled to make its "rise". The best place to watch this for me was near Paynes Prarie just south of Gainesville, a large flat environmentally protected state preserve with large stands of grasses but few trees to block the panoramic view of the horizon.
About 200 of us waited, hoping for continued good weather so we might not miss this special moment.

This moonrise was the largest in about 20 years and might not happen with this brilliance again in my lifetime. This magnificent moon did not disappoint us. The large crowd gathered and as the moon rose,  there were a few oohs and ahhs, not like those for a 4th of July fireworks, but in hushed tones with reverence for this display by mother nature.

This oil painting is a study I will work into a larger painting.