Pico

pico - 12x18

Pico is the highest mountain in Portugal even though it happens to be a thousand miles offshore, in the Azores. The first time I saw it was after rough passage from Antigua. We had been battered by a storm for few days. It was late April and still cold. I only owned one sweater that I kept in the bottom of my backpack - unused. But I dug it out it that morning. When I came up on deck, I saw this bold volcano pointing out of the ocean with snow on top. I was 19 and the whole world was alive with adventure. I've been fortunate to get back to Azores a few times in my life, and every time I go back, I dream I might stay there forever in a little stone house with a blue door. This little painting is a daily reminder that I see when I get out of the shower.  But there is no snow on the top.