I was thinking, while painting this work, of open spaces and valleys. I was thinking of Landscape as a concept, but also in the specific—of the work of Robert S. Duncanson, of Albert Bierstadt [scroll down at the link to read a brief native perspective on one of Bierstadt’s works], and also of Jaune Quick-to-See-Smith. I was thinking of the dreams embedded in the valleys of their works, of the reverie which begins with reflective interiority—the inner landscape of the self—as it encounters the phenomena of the world. I was thinking about how we treat each other, and about how we each want to be treated. I was thinking about the promise of a valley, of an open space, and of a call for an open heart. I was thinking about a basic request, for basic consideration.