Kettle Hole Bog, 2014 – Michaela Harlow – Pastel on Cold Press, Deckle-Edge Paper, 20″ x 16″ 

Kettle Holes are geological features formed when chunks of glacial ice separate from the main flow by breaking off and subsequently melting. New England has many ponds, swamps and bogs that originally formed in this manner, during the glacial age. I love exploring wetlands in autumn and the kettle hole bogs in Western Massachusetts —particularly those surrounded by wild laurel, native azalea and brilliant red, highbush blueberry— are some of my favorites haunts at this time of year. The combination of blue-green algae, red to rust foliage and watery reflections provides great inspiration.

 In the studio with turquoise and rusty red reflections

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