My town has always had artists living and working here.

They give tours of their studios, be seen at the edge of farms and hills, or on street corners near the old and historic parts of the town.

Sometimes I see them by the river, sometimes in the heart of time, sometimes in the valleys with beautiful hills.

Sometimes the pain old houses and trucks or on the banks of the Battenkill River, which comes from Vermont and flows through the town.

Being artists, they paint almost everything.

Some came up from New York City in the ’60s; some teach at Bennington College, some are landscape artists who are well known and whose work costs thousands of dollars, some came after 911.

I always love to see them painting, sometimes standing under umbrellas to keep the sun off, some with wide straw hats.

I saw this artist this morning; I’ve been watching her for the past few days. I stopped and asked if I could take a photograph of her, and she said “of course,” as they always do.

She said she is not from her but is visiting family and was drawn to one of the oldest sections of town, a row of old houses dating back a long time.

I thank her for letting me take this shot; it is calming and gentle. Her painting looks great so far.