20 × 24 | Oil Pastel on Canvas Panel | Framed Original

I've traveled to some of the most beautiful places in the world, but Louisiana sunsets remain my favorite.

The Good Hour is inspired by that fleeting moment after a summer rain when everything changes. The humidity softens, the breeze returns, and the sky seems to glow from within. For a brief stretch of time, the relentless heat loosens its grip and the entire landscape feels refreshed. It's a small mercy that every Louisianian recognizes.

Created during Gemini season, this painting reflects a season of curiosity and experimentation. It was one of my first pieces to incorporate oil pastel, a material that encouraged me to work more instinctively. Instead of chasing realism, I leaned into layered color and expressive marks, allowing the atmosphere to become the subject as much as the landscape itself.

Framed in a vintage thrifted frame, The Good Hour celebrates one of Louisiana's simplest pleasures. A reminder that some of the most beautiful moments aren't extraordinary at all. They're the ones we experience over and over again, if we take the time to notice them.