Hudson Valley Freebie

I've always said the Hudson River flows in my veins ... what an amazingly beautiful and historic valley this is. I thought I'd share a bit of the valley and mountains with you today.

The Hudson River School of Artists began the first and most powerful art movement in our country. Many of their paintings are from 'my' mountains and I've walked the 'Artist's Walk' where many of them found their breathtaking aspects to paint. One of them is 'Artist's Rock' at North Lake in the Catskills. Here is a view from there on an overcast day.
A favorite subject for the Hudson River School was the Kaaterskill Falls. Not too far from there is where Rip Van Winkle is said to have slept his life away. I think you can see how the imagination can soar in these mountains.

This is the Kaaterskill Falls as Hudson River School founder Thomas Cole saw it:
As you might know, there is a very strong Dutch and Indian influence in the names of our lakes and streams. One of these lakes is 'Lake Minnewaska'. It's one of our glacial lakes, a pristine turquoise lake high in the Shawangunks. Here is a picture that I took from the far shore.
I hope you enjoyed your tiny tour of this beautiful valley. Trust me... I could have an entire blog just about the Hudson Valley and all of its splendor.

So of course... on to the freebie :o)

In honor of Washington Irving who lived in the Hudson Valley at Sleepy Hollow, here is a vintage cover from 'Rip Van Winkle' for you to use in your work.


Best...

Canace