Reflections from a Contemporary Landscape Artist
John O'Donohue has long been one of my favorite authors. His words feel like echoes from the wild places I love—mountains, forests, quiet stretches of trail. As a contemporary landscape painter, I am constantly drawn to the way he speaks about nature, solitude, light, and silence. His writing beautifully articulates the very reasons I paint scenes from the natural world.
Whether I'm on a hike in the Cascades or standing before a blank canvas, O'Donohue’s poetry reminds me that the landscape holds more than beauty—it holds presence, clarity, and a kind of sacred stillness. Below, I’ve gathered a few of my favorite quotes from him, paired with some thoughts on how they connect to my process as an artist and why I continue to find inspiration in the outdoors.
John O’Donohue Nature Quotes
"The earth is full of thresholds where beauty awaits the wonder of our gaze."
This line resonates deeply with the way I see the world when I paint. There is always a moment—light shifting, a breeze stirring the trees—that feels like a threshold into something deeper. That’s what I aim to capture in my artwork."When the soul awakens, it becomes like a field of wildflowers in spring; the beauty comes naturally and without effort."
This quote mirrors how I feel after time in nature—renewed, softened, and ready to create. Many of my prints and originals reflect the effortless grace of springtime in the Pacific Northwest."In the silence of the mountain, you hear your own soul more clearly."
There’s nothing quite like the hush of alpine air to put life into perspective. This is why I return again and again to mountain imagery in my work. It’s not just about painting a place—it’s about painting a feeling."The beauty of the natural world is not just a backdrop to human life; it is the very rhythm that sustains us."
This is central to my practice as a landscape artist. Nature isn’t something separate from us. It shapes how we breathe, think, and live.
Inspired by the breathtaking Misol-Há Waterfall in the lush jungles of Chiapas, Mexico, this original impressionistic painting captures the movement of cascading water through layered brushstrokes and a calming palette of blues, greens, and earthy neutrals.
The piece reflects the beauty of slowing down and finding restoration in nature, offering a quiet reminder of the importance of rest.
Details
Original, one-of-a-kind painting
12” W × 16” H
Natural wood frame
Modern impressionistic style
Inspired by Mount of the Holy Cross in Colorado
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Inspired by Mount of the Holy Cross, one of Colorado’s iconic fourteeners, this original 12” × 16” painting captures the rugged beauty and quiet grandeur of the Rocky Mountains.
Created in a modern impressionistic style with expressive brushstrokes and rich texture, this piece reflects the peace, stillness, and renewal found in nature.
Details
Original, one-of-a-kind painting
12” W × 16” H
Natural wood frame
Modern impressionistic style
Inspired by Mount of the Holy Cross in Colorado
[free shipping in the continental United States]
Inspired by the rugged beauty of Grand Staircase–Escalante, Utah, this original impressionistic landscape captures a hidden desert oasis surrounded by towering sandstone cliffs.
Rich earth tones, soft neutrals, and expressive palette knife textures bring depth and movement to the scene, celebrating the unexpected beauty found within the desert.
Details
Original, one-of-a-kind painting
12” W × 16” H
Natural wood frame
Modern impressionistic style
Inspired by the waterfalls inside Utah’s Coyote Gulch
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Inspired by the breathtaking Italian Val Ferret along the Tour du Mont Blanc, this original 12” × 16” painting captures a moment of reflection before crossing into Switzerland.
Rendered in muted greens, grays, black, and white, the landscape is a reminder to pause and appreciate how far we’ve come, finding beauty in the seasons behind us while remaining open to all that lies ahead.
Details
Original, one-of-a-kind painting
12” W × 16” H
Natural wood frame
Modern impressionistic style
Inspired by the coastline of Italian Alps
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Inspired by the rugged beauty of the Albanian Alps, this black-and-white landscape captures the dramatic peaks and timeless character of this remarkable mountain range.
Rich texture and contrasting tones bring depth and movement to the composition, reflecting both the strength of the landscape and the enduring spirit of the people who call it home.
Details
Original, one-of-a-kind painting
12” W × 16” H
Natural wood frame
Modern impressionistic style
Inspired by the mountains of Albania
[free shipping in the continental United States]
This original impressionistic painting captures the iconic beauty of Garden of the Gods, with snow-capped Pikes Peak as the focal point framed by the park’s towering red rock formations. Rich textures, earthy tones, and expressive palette knife strokes bring depth and dimension to this beloved Colorado landscape.
Details
Original, one-of-a-kind painting
12” W × 16” H
Natural wood frame
Modern impressionistic style
Inspired by the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, CO
[Free shipping in the continental United States]
Inspired by Lake Bovilla, nestled in the mountains outside Tirana, Albania, this original painting captures the vibrant blues and greens of the landscape in spring. Rich, expressive textures bring depth and movement to the rugged mountains and tranquil reservoir below.
Beyond its natural beauty, the lake carries a unique history, serving as a vital water source for Albania’s capital and symbolizing beauty and purpose emerging from a complicated past.
Details
Original, one-of-a-kind painting
12” W × 16” H
Natural wood frame
Modern impressionistic style
Inspired by the Bovilla Lake in Albania
[Free shipping in the continental United States]
Once considered one of the most dangerous walkways in the world, Caminito del Rey follows the dramatic limestone cliffs of southern Spain, suspended high above the turquoise Guadalhorce River. Originally constructed in the early 1900s, this remarkable passage is a testament to both human ingenuity and the beauty of the natural world.
This destination holds personal significance as one of the first experiences of my first solo journey abroad. Surrounded by towering cliffs and breathtaking landscapes, I was reminded of the beauty that unfolds when we have the courage to venture beyond what is familiar.
This painting reflects the wonder of discovering new places and the quiet reminder that some of life’s most meaningful experiences begin with a step into the unknown.
Details
Original, one-of-a-kind painting
12” W × 16” H
Natural wood frame
Modern impressionistic style
Inspired by the Caminito del Rey in southern Spain
[Free shipping in the continental United States]
Inspired by the breathtaking peaks of Mont Blanc in the French Alps, this original textured painting captures the beauty and grandeur of one of Europe’s most iconic mountain landscapes.
Created after a long-awaited journey hiking around Mont Blanc, this piece represents the pursuit of dreams and the extraordinary places they can lead us. A reminder that some experiences are worth waiting years for, and that the most meaningful journeys often begin with a simple dream.
Details
Original, one-of-a-kind painting
12” W × 16” H
Natural wood frame
Modern impressionistic style
Inspired by the Mont Blanc in the French Alps
[free shipping in the continental United States]
Inspired by the dreamy pink sunsets over the Aegean Sea on the Greek island of Milos and by the term “Siga Siga” which means “slowly, slowly” in Greek, a beautiful reminder to savor life’s quieter moments.
Created during a season of learning to slow down, this painting captures that magical moment when the sea and sky become one. A brilliant red sun melts into soft pinks, while hints of gold shimmer across the horizon. You can’t quite tell whether the sparkle comes from the clouds, the ocean, or simply the magic of the moment.
Details
Original, one-of-a-kind painting
12” W × 16” H
Natural wood frame
Modern impressionistic style
Inspired by the coastline of Milos, Greece
[free shipping in the continental United States]
Inspired by the breathtaking Corona Arch near Moab, Utah, this original painting captures the warmth and grandeur of the Southwest through expressive texture, earthy tones, and a modern impressionistic style.
This landscape holds special meaning for the artist, Erin, as the place where she became engaged, a reminder that certain places become part of our stories and leave us forever changed.
Details
Original, one-of-a-kind painting
12” W × 16” H
Natural wood frame
Modern impressionistic style
Inspired by Corona Arch, Utah
[free shipping in the continental United States]
“Perhaps the mountains rise not to conquer the sky, but to remind us that even the earth carries within it a longing for heaven.”
Where the Earth Reaches Heaven is a collection of nine original mountain paintings, created to live together as one larger statement piece. Each work captures a different peak in black and white, celebrating the individual ridgelines, shadows, and forms that give every mountain its own presence.
Created with textured acrylic and mixed media, the mountains push beyond the traditional boundaries of each composition, giving the collection a sculptural sense of movement and depth. Alternating fields of black and white connect the nine individual landscapes while creating a striking rhythm when displayed together.
Individually framed in natural wood, each 12 x 12 original stands on its own, but together the nine pieces become something greater: a gathering of peaks reaching upward, each different, yet all drawn toward the same sky.
Designed to be displayed as a 3 x 3 installation, this collection brings the quiet strength and timeless beauty of the mountains into a modern home.
[free shipping in the continental United States]
48 × 24 in | Mixed Media & Acrylic | Black Framed
Rising above the wilderness outside Aspen, Colorado, the Maroon Bells are among the most recognizable and beloved peaks in the Rocky Mountains. Their dramatic ridgelines, rugged valleys, and constantly changing appearance have made this landscape an enduring symbol of the Colorado high country.
This 48 × 24 black-and-white mountain painting captures the Maroon Bells beneath a layer of snow, stripping the landscape down to light, shadow, texture, and form. The monochromatic palette draws attention to the scale of the peaks and the quiet stillness that settles over the mountains as winter begins to take hold.
Inspired by the wild beauty surrounding Aspen and the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, this original Colorado mountain artwork celebrates one of the state’s most iconic landscapes in a timeless, modern way. Created in mixed media and acrylic and finished in a black frame, it brings the rugged character of the Colorado Rockies into the home.
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48 × 24 in | Mixed Media & Acrylic | Metal Framed
Before the chairlifts, ski runs, mountain homes, and streets of Breckenridge, there were simply the mountains.
Before Breck is a tribute to the wild landscape that defined this corner of Colorado long before it became one of the state’s most iconic mountain towns. Inspired by the peaks of the Tenmile Range surrounding Breckenridge, this green, white, and gray mixed-media painting imagines the landscape untouched, when nothing interrupted the relationship between mountain, forest, and sky.
A shifting sky moves across the painting, reflecting the famously unpredictable weather of the Colorado high country, where sunlight, clouds, and storms can transform the mountains in moments.
This original 48 × 24 Colorado mountain painting celebrates the timeless beauty of Breckenridge, Summit County, and the Rocky Mountains, and the wild landscape that existed long before we came here to ski, explore, build, and call these mountains home.
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36 × 48 in | Mixed Media & Acrylic | Metal Framed
Inspired by a final hike through the French Alps, The Way Home captures the mountains surrounding La Mer de Glace above Chamonix, France.
The hike came on the last day of a two-month journey, at the threshold between an adventure ending and a new chapter beginning. Standing among ancient ice and towering peaks, the landscape became more than a memory of a place. It became a symbol of returning.
The mountains have always had a way of bringing me home. Through different seasons of life, they have offered adventure, solitude, challenge, and clarity. On this particular day, these were the mountains that pointed me home to Colorado, to the people I love, and to the life waiting for me there.
The Way Home is a reflection on the places that shape us, the journeys that change us, and the landscapes that somehow remind us where we belong.
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This black-lit original, painted on a repurposed snowboard, draws inspiration from the Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland. A mountain shaped by time, paired with something given a second life, this piece is a reminder that beauty can be found in what we choose to make new again.
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This art print inspired by Snoqualmie Falls has a partly glossy, partly matte finish and it'll add a touch of sophistication to any room.
• 10 mil (0.25 mm) thick
• Slightly glossy
• Fingerprint resistant
• Paper sourced from Japan
This art print is inspired by Mount Rainier in Washington State. It has a partly glossy, partly matte finish and it'll add a touch of sophistication to any room.
• 10 mil (0.25 mm) thick
• Slightly glossy
• Fingerprint resistant
• Paper sourced from Japan
• Paper thickness: 10.3 mil
• Paper weight: 189 g/m²
• Opacity: 94%
• ISO brightness: 104%
• Paper is sourced from Japan
• Paper thickness: 10.3 mil
• Paper weight: 189 g/m²
• Opacity: 94%
• ISO brightness: 104%
• Paper is sourced from Japan
This art print has a partly glossy, partly matte finish and it'll add a touch of sophistication to any room.
• 10 mil (0.25 mm) thick
• Slightly glossy
• Fingerprint resistant
• Paper sourced from Japan
This art print has a partly glossy, partly matte finish and it'll add a touch of sophistication to any room.
• 10 mil (0.25 mm) thick
• Slightly glossy
• Fingerprint resistant
• Paper sourced from Japan
This art print inspired by Zion National Park has a partly glossy, partly matte finish and it'll add a touch of sophistication to any room.
• 10 mil (0.25 mm) thick
• Slightly glossy
• Fingerprint resistant
• Paper sourced from Japan
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This art print has a partly glossy, partly matte finish and it'll add a touch of sophistication to any room.
• 10 mil (0.25 mm) thick
• Slightly glossy
• Fingerprint resistant
Dreams are not made to put us to sleep, but to awaken us.― Ed Viesturs
This art print inspired by Mt. Jefferson has a partly glossy, partly matte finish and it'll add a touch of sophistication to any room.
• 10 mil (0.25 mm) thick
• Slightly glossy
• Fingerprint resistant
• Paper sourced from Japan
• 10 mil (0.25 mm) thick
• Slightly glossy
• Fingerprint resistant
• Paper sourced from Japan
John O’Donohue Mountain Quotes
"The mountain is not a place to visit; it is a place to return to, again and again, for in its dark stillness you meet yourself."
This line captures why I hike, and why I paint the places I do. Mountains aren’t just scenery—they’re part of my inner landscape."Behind the facade of the world, there is a dark radiance that holds everything together. The mountain doesn’t need to speak to be understood. It speaks through its silence."
I often reach for rich contrasts and quiet tones in my paintings to reflect this dark radiance—a kind of grounded, wordless wisdom."Landscape is the first-born of creation. Mountains, valleys, rivers, and sky are the ancient rhythms of the Earth’s memory."
This idea—that nature holds memory—has inspired everything from my painting style to the way I title my work. My book Mountain Proverbs speaks to this directly, pairing minimal poetry with mountain-inspired artwork. You can find it on Amazon here.
Why I Paint Nature
Painting nature is my way of staying connected to what’s essential. I paint the mountains because they remind me who I am. I paint rivers and trees because they steady me. Through contemporary landscape art, I hope to offer others a visual way back to the peace and presence we all crave.
My original paintings are available both at Nuwave Gallery in Ellensburg and online. I also offer fine art prints of many of my favorite pieces, so whether you’re looking for a large statement piece or a simple reminder of the outdoors, there’s something for every space.
Tipsoo Lake, at an elevation of 5,298 feet above sea level, is an alpine lake within the Northern Cascade Range near the summit of Chinook Pass in Pierce County, Washington.
• 10 mil (0.25 mm) thick
• Slightly glossy
• Fingerprint resistant
• Paper sourced from Japan
• Paper thickness: 10.3 mil
• Paper weight: 189 g/m²
• Opacity: 94%
• ISO brightness: 104%
• Paper is sourced from Japan
• 10 mil (0.25 mm) thick
• Slightly glossy
• Fingerprint resistant
• Paper sourced from Japan
This print captures the sweeping view from the top of Rattlesnake Dance Ridge Trail, where the vast Kittitas Valley unfolds beneath an endless blue sky. Originally created in textured acrylic and mixed media, the artwork weaves together layers of whites and creams with a whisper of rose gold—mirroring the quiet beauty and stillness of the high desert. This print brings the essence of Central Washington into your space with calm, clarity, and grace.
“Landscape is the firstborn of creation. It was here long before we arrived, and it received us when we came. It is, therefore, a presence that carries great depth and wisdom.” — John O'Donohue
This modern volcano print is perfect for those who gravitate toward bold masculine wall art, black and white landscape posters, and minimalist, nature-inspired decor. As part of the Veins of the Earth series, it pairs powerfully with other PNW peaks like Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Baker, and Mt. Rainier. Display the full series together for a timeless and commanding tribute to the wild geology of the Pacific Northwest.
• 10 mil (0.25 mm) thick
• Slightly glossy
• Fingerprint resistant
• Paper sourced from Japan
Bring the rugged power of the Pacific Northwest into your space with this bold black and white mountain art print by contemporary PNW artist Erin Oostra. Featuring the iconic silhouette of Mt. St. Helens, this piece blends expressive mixed media textures with high-contrast tones and oversized bold typography that gives the mountain name a commanding presence. Known for its dramatic 1980 eruption, Mt. St. Helens stands as a symbol of destruction, renewal, and the raw force of nature within the Cascade Range.
Perfect for modern spaces that embrace bold masculine wall art, black and white landscape posters, and nature-inspired decor. This striking volcano art print is part of the Veins of the Earth series—designed to transform office walls, mountain homes, or urban interiors into a tribute to the untamed beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Collect the full series to create a timeless wall display honoring Mt. Rainier, Mt. Baker, Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Hood, and more.
• 10 mil (0.25 mm) thick
• Slightly glossy
• Fingerprint resistant
• Paper sourced from Japan
Ideal for office walls, mountain homes, or urban spaces that crave a connection to the wild, Veins of the Earth turns iconic volcanoes into timeless statement pieces. Collect the full series to create a powerful wall display that honors the raw beauty of Mt. Rainier, Mt. Baker, Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Hood, and beyond.
• 10 mil (0.25 mm) thick
• Slightly glossy
• Fingerprint resistant
• Paper sourced from Japan
Ideal for office walls, mountain homes, or urban spaces that crave a connection to the wild, Veins of the Earth turns iconic volcanoes into timeless statement pieces. Collect the full series to create a powerful wall display that honors the raw beauty of Mt. Rainier, Mt. Baker, Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Hood, and beyond.
• 10 mil (0.25 mm) thick
• Slightly glossy
• Fingerprint resistant
• Paper sourced from Japan
Ideal for office walls, mountain homes, or urban spaces that crave a connection to the wild, Veins of the Earth turns iconic volcanoes into timeless statement pieces. Collect the full series to create a powerful wall display that honors the raw beauty of Mt. Rainier, Mt. Baker, Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Hood, and beyond.
• 10 mil (0.25 mm) thick
• Slightly glossy
• Fingerprint resistant
• Paper sourced from Japan
Ideal for office walls, mountain homes, or urban spaces that crave a connection to the wild, Veins of the Earth turns iconic volcanoes into timeless statement pieces. Collect the full series to create a powerful wall display that honors the raw beauty of Mt. Rainier, Mt. Baker, Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Hood, and beyond.
• 10 mil (0.25 mm) thick
• Slightly glossy
• Fingerprint resistant
• Paper sourced from Japan
Inspired by the quote from John O’Donohue:
"May your soul be as a landscape of silence and shadow where the mountains meet the sky."
Perfect for mountain lovers, nature enthusiasts, and collectors of black and white wall art, this impressionist mountain painting adds a grounding, serene touch to any modern home or cabin.
• Paper thickness: 10.3 mil
• Paper weight: 189 g/m²
• Opacity: 94%
• ISO brightness: 104%
• Paper is sourced from Japan
From the shifting tides, Discovery Park emerges in hues of deep blue—a quiet sanctuary where water and land meet in contemplative embrace. Inspired by the words of John O'Donohue, this piece honors the space between arrival and becoming, inviting the viewer to pause at the threshold and listen to the silence that speaks.
“When you cease to fear your solitude, a new creativity awakens in you. Your forgotten or neglected inner voice will suddenly make itself heard.”
— John O’Donohue, Anam Cara
Museum-quality art print made on thick matte paper. Add a wonderful accent to your room and office with these posters that are sure to brighten any environment.
• Paper thickness: 10.3 mil
• Paper weight: 189 g/m²
• Opacity: 94%
• ISO brightness: 104%
• Paper is sourced from Japan
• Paper thickness: 10.3 mil
• Paper weight: 189 g/m²
• Opacity: 94%
• ISO brightness: 104%
• Paper is sourced from Japan
• 10 mil (0.25 mm) thick
• Slightly glossy
• Fingerprint resistant
• Paper sourced from Japan
Lake Crescent is a deep lake located entirely within Olympic National Park in Clallam County, Washington, United States, approximately 17 miles west of Port Angeles on U.S. Route 101, near the small community of Piedmont.
• Paper thickness: 10.3 mil
• Paper weight: 189 g/m²
• Opacity: 94%
• ISO brightness: 104%
• Paper is sourced from Japan
Museum-quality art print inspired by Mount Rainier made on thick matte paper. Add a wonderful accent to your room and office with these posters that are sure to brighten any environment.
• Paper thickness: 10.3 mil
• Paper weight: 189 g/m²
• Opacity: 94%
• ISO brightness: 104%
• Paper is sourced from Japan
Museum-quality art print of Tillamook Head based out of Seaside, Oregon along the Pacific coastline. This print is made on thick matte paper. Add a wonderful accent to your room and office with these posters that are sure to brighten any environment.
• Paper thickness: 10.3 mil
• Paper weight: 189 g/m²
• Opacity: 94%
• ISO brightness: 104%
• Paper is sourced from Japan
Museum-quality art print made on thick matte paper. Add a wonderful accent to your room and office with these posters that are sure to brighten any environment.
• Paper thickness: 10.3 mil
• Paper weight: 189 g/m²
• Opacity: 94%
• ISO brightness: 104%
• Paper is sourced from Japan
• 10 mil (0.25 mm) thick
• Slightly glossy
• Fingerprint resistant
• Paper sourced from Japan
• Paper thickness: 10.3 mil
• Paper weight: 5.57 oz/y² (189 g/m²)
• Giclée printing quality
• Opacity: 94%
• ISO brightness: 104%
• Paper thickness: 10.3 mil
• Paper weight: 189 g/m²
• Opacity: 94%
• ISO brightness: 104%
• Paper is sourced from Japan
The Tre Cime di Lavaredo, also called the Drei Zinnen, are three distinctive battlement-like peaks, in the Sexten Dolomites of northeastern Italy. They are one of the best-known mountain groups in the Alps.
• Paper thickness: 10.3 mil
• Paper weight: 189 g/m²
• Opacity: 94%
• ISO brightness: 104%
• Paper is sourced from Japan
• Paper thickness: 10.3 mil
• Paper weight: 189 g/m²
• Opacity: 94%
• ISO brightness: 104%
• Paper is sourced from Japan
• Paper thickness: 10.3 mil
• Paper weight: 189 g/m²
• Opacity: 94%
• ISO brightness: 104%
• Paper is sourced from Japan
• 10 mil (0.25 mm) thick
• Slightly glossy
• Fingerprint resistant
• Paper sourced from Japan
Museum-quality art print made on thick matte paper. Add a wonderful accent to your room and office with these posters that are sure to brighten any environment.
• Paper thickness: 10.3 mil
• Paper weight: 189 g/m²
• Opacity: 94%
• ISO brightness: 104%
• Paper is sourced from Japan
Museum-quality art prints made on thick matte paper. Add a wonderful accent to your room and office with these posters that are sure to enhance any environment.
• Paper thickness: 10.3 mil
• Paper weight: 189 g/m²
• Opacity: 94%
• ISO brightness: 104%
• Paper is sourced from Japan
This art print has a partly glossy, partly matte finish and it'll add a touch of simple mountain sophistication to any room.
• 10 mil (0.25 mm) thick
• Slightly glossy
• Fingerprint resistant
• Paper sourced from Japan
A Few More Favorite John O’Donohue Quotes
"May the nourishment of the earth be yours, may the clarity of light be yours."
"Your soul knows the geography of your destiny. Your soul alone has the map of your future."
"There is a quiet light that shines in every heart. It draws no attention to itself, though it is always secretly there."
If you feel drawn to the mountains, or if you're seeking art that connects you to something deeper, I invite you to explore more of my work and spend some time with the words of John O'Donohue. His writing, like the best landscapes, gives us space to reflect, restore, and begin again.
Inspired by a peaceful stretch of the Tour du Mont Blanc through the Swiss Alps, this original impressionistic painting captures the dramatic mountain peaks rising above a lush alpine valley. Rich textures, expressive brushstrokes, and earthy tones reflect the quiet beauty and grandeur of the landscape.
Dimensions: 12” × 16”
Medium: Original impressionistic painting
Frame: Handcrafted wood frame
Free Continental US shipping