This artwork portrays the flora and fauna of the alpine zone atop Mount Katahdin, Maine’s highest mountain. It’s a place I return to every summer and lovingly consider my happy place. Standing at that elevation, watching the world stretch endlessly below, offers a humbling sense of perspective. It reminds us how brief our time is within the vast lifespan of the Earth, how small we are in the grand scheme, and how many of our worries fade into insignificance. Being there feels like a long, steady exhale after holding your breath. It’s grounding, clarifying, and deeply restorative. With this painting, I hoped to capture the mountain’s quiet divinity, its wild beauty, its serenity, and the profound sense of peace it imparts.