I’ve just come home from an artist residency at the Whiterock Conservancy along the Middle Raccoon River near Coon Rapids, IA. Founded in 2004 by the Garst family the mission of this 5,500 acre land trust is to provide educational and recreational opportunities for the public, improve and protect the land through conservation, and demonstrate sustainable farming methods. For 10 glorious days I got up before sunrise to wander miles of trails through oak trees and prairie grasses. In the afternoons I returned to the historic River house to paint. At night the stars came out and the sounds of owls and coyotes filled the cold air. PHOTOGRAPHY VIDEOS WATERCOLORS