Normally the Minnesota River is not my first thought to paint.  Actually, it's not in my top ten.  Its heavy brown water cuts through our fair town and scissors it's way up to the Mississippi, usually without my notice.  This sluice of coffee color murk chews at it's banks, ripping at trees that hold on tangled at it's border's until they finally surrender and find themselves pulled into the current, and dragged to ...New Orleans,... I suppose?

Now however, with the mercury rising its crust of white splinters to reveal opal's and golds, oxides and brown pinks.  With a ruthlessness that belies these precious tonalities. it's awakening strength powered by the melting snow  carries chunks of debris downstream and slams them into every bridge as it channels its way to the Mississippi..  You can't miss it now.  You better not.

So here it lies, looking quite serene.  This was painted a couple of day's ago, as ice becomes water.  As white and clear are transformed to pearly tones in the melting process before their complete integration and cooperative force combines with silt and muck, fertilizer and front tires, to their summertime look of a spilled latte.  It's a beautiful right now but so fleeting.