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June Carey - Song of the Wine Country
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Just after the turn of the century, Father St. John O’Sullivan became pastor of the Missions San Juan Capistrano. Both seemed fated to perish from this earth - Farther O’Sullivan from tuberculosis, the Mission from the ravages of time. It was the priest’s inspiration to restore the Mission to its previous splendor and create throughout it magnificent gardens to rival those of the Alhambra in Spain. “I have yet to see a painting or photograph of this section of the main courtyard that does not feature this wonderful pair of bougainvillea vies,” says June Carey of Bougainvillea. “It’s a terrific image to think of, Father O’Sullivan possibly planted, but certainly nurturing, these beautiful plants to become one of the Mission’s most noted centerpieces. Such a passion for the gifts of the land seems to have a power that extends far beyond simple beauty. Father O’Sullivan survived to oversee the Missions’ restoration for twenty-three years.”
“When I first set out to create this landscape, I had a much smaller painting in mind,” says June of Song of the Wire Country. “In the area of Sonoma’s Field Stone Winery there is this intricate spread of patchwork greens that extends as far as your eye can see. With each study I created, I found that I still had to stretch the panorama longer and longer and longer to capture the full and differing shades of green you see when you are there. It flows like a lively symphony, meandering playfully and returning always to its melodic theme song – thus the title, Song of the Wine Country.”
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