"Quiet Bayou", 12x16, by Maryanne Jacobsen

"Quiet Bayou", 12x16, oil on canvas

A bayou is a body of water typically found in flat, low-lying areas, and can refer either to an extremely slow-moving stream or river (often with a poorly defined shoreline), or to a marshy lake or wetland. Bayous are commonly found in the Gulf Coast region of the southern United States, particularly the Mississippi River region, with the state of Louisiana being famous for them. A bayou is frequently an anabranch or minor braid of a braided channel that is moving much more slowly than the mainstem, often becoming boggy and stagnant, though the vegetation varies by region. Many bayous are home to crawfish, certain species of shrimp, other shellfish, catfish, alligators, and a myriad other species.

The definition above was taken from Wikipedia.

I have been under the weather all week with a severely abscessed tooth. Today was the first day that I actually wanted to paint, and felt able to paint, and since my heart was and is and has been in the bayou these days, that is what I decided to paint. I didn't have a reference photo, just the many memories embedded in my head of quiet, peaceful Florida bayous, usually full of secretive birds and dancing mosquitoes!

The Gulf states and Louisiana in particular have suffered a great deal in recent months as a result of the horrendous Deepwater Horizon catastrophe, and I was incredibly encouraged today to hear that progress has been made in sealing the well permanently. The old damaged BOP (Blow out preventer) was removed and soon a new one one will be installed. After that the final relief well will be drilled, and hopefully the chapter in this eco-disaster will change to God's healing of the damage that this massive disaster has had on our precious ecosystem.

I believe in God and I also believe that God has made nature very resilient. So I am hoping that new chapters in the history of this disaster will show new growth for precious marshes, new spawning of healthy fish , phytoplankton, coral, and an increasingly healthy environment for all the fish, birds, turtles, mammals and especially the people along the coasts who have suffered as the oil is gradually degraded. I am still extremely upset about the dispersant use, but instead of starting on a new rant, I would prefer to thank God for His goodness and grace in helping people get through challenging times. For all the people in Louisiana and Mississippi and Alabama who have suffered the most for from this tragedy- God Bless You. Stay strong.

If anyone likes this painting and is interested in purchasing it, just send me an offer at maryannejacobsen@aol.com , or visit my website at Paintdance.

Have a wonderful, safe holiday weekend!

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