Live Oak On The Rainbow River Painting by Larry Whitler

Live Oak On The Rainbow River

by Larry Whitler

Canvas Print

$88

Framed Print

$113

Art Print

$63

Poster

$63

Metal Print

$111

Acrylic Print

$119

Wood Print

$91

Tapestry

$39

Throw Pillow

$24

Fleece Blanket

$46

Duvet Cover

$98

Shower Curtain

$68

Bath Towel

$33

Ornament

$9.50

Jigsaw Puzzle

$38

Tote Bag

$23

Weekender Tote Bag

$43

Zip Pouch

$22

Portable Battery Charger

$47

Yoga Mat

$60

Greeting Card

$4.95

Spiral Notebook

$15

Sticker

$3.50

iPhone Case

$26

Beach Towel

$33

Round Beach Towel

$70

Weekender Tote Bag

$43

Coffee Mug

$13

Men's Clothing

$25

Women's Clothing

$25

Youth Clothing

$21

Toddler Clothing

$19

Baby Clothing

$23

Title

Live Oak On The Rainbow River

Artist

Larry Whitler

Medium

Painting - Digital Dry Brush

Description

This is the Rainbow River in Dunnellon, Florida.
I have an intimate relationship with the Rainbow River. We go back a long way.
Early in my life my family would travel from New York to see my grandparents and they would often take us swimming at a place called The KP Hole on the Rainbow River.
When we moved to Dunnellon in ‘72, I worked at Rainbow Springs at the headwaters during my senior year in high school.
I have swam in this river hundreds of times (if not more). I have gone tubing, canoeing, and even plein air painting here.
When I was young I would bring my acoustic guitar to the river’s edge, sit cross legged on the shore, and play.
I was still 17 years old. A lady from a local church heard me playing and invited me to play for her Christian Teen Group that Friday evening. It was a camping retreat on the river’s edge.
I didn’t realize until I got there that it was an all girl group.
They lit a campfire, cooked hot dogs on sticks, and asked me to play and sing for them. I don’t think the songs mattered. I probably played Beatles stuff and maybe some Cat Stevens.
The sun was almost down when I overheard one of the girls softly saying to another girl, “If Larry wasn’t here we could go skinny dipping.”
I may have been singing “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da,” but I could still hear her. I didn’t miss a beat but I will confess that I still think of that moment every time I am near the Rainbow River.
I have so many memories from the Rainbow River.
But, just one more.
I was asked to write a song for the Queen Of The Rainbow beauty pageant. In the lyric to the song, I chose to elevate the position of “Queen” to more than a pretty face. I wanted the song to be a call to protect the river and the chosen “Queen” to be an ambassador for responsible stewardship of the land.
Call me a tree hugger!
Part of the lyric reads, “Dunnellon, protect her. Her gift is in your hands. The life of the Rainbow is the life of your land.”