Ellen Rice Studio of Fine Art
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The Road Less Traveled

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24" x 30" watercolor and gouache (sold)
and archival gicle'e reproductions
​by Ellen Rice

Prints available in several sizes.
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The Road Less Traveled

by Ellen Rice
​

I painted this with my mother-in-law in mind around the time she passed on. She was an angel in my life, a truly beautiful, loving spirit who brought light into the lives of many people whose paths she crossed.

She loved the feeling of light I captured in my early paintings, and The Road Less Traveled By is about light... and paths. This is one of those paintings that "painted itself." It's not a specific place, except perhaps in my heart, "the kingdom of heaven within," a place I'd like to be or perhaps somewhere I've been at some time.

I started with the sun and worked out from there. A distant mountain range just sort of emerged, then a meadow, then the old oak tree and split rail fence and the highlights from the sun gilding branches and grasses. 

After it was finished, I put it in the middle of a large stack of prints to flatten out ripples from the water colors, and there it lay for more than a few years, forgotten, only to reappear at a time when I needed the special feeling of light it gives me most.

​To my surprise, the original's first showing drew a great deal of attention. It was a show stopper. After several showings, I decided to put it in print. Not everyone can afford an original, and I wanted to share whatever it is about this painting that draws often teary-eyed, emotional exclamations of "I love your tree!" 

I named it after the last line in Robert Frost's poem, a poem whose sentiments strike home: 
"The Road Not Taken" 
Robert Frost


Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood 
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair, 
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that, the passing there
Had worn them really about the same

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back. 


I shall be telling this with a sigh 
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood. And I -
I 
took the one less traveled by,
​and that has made all the difference.


Later, a woman who purchased a copy of my print sent me a poem the painting reminded her of. She'd clipped it from a church program many years ago, tucked it in a corner of her dressing table mirror and referred to it many mornings since. She said she wanted to share it: 
​
"The Tree"
Sue C. Boynton 


Lord, let me learn from this old tree,
That there is dignity in loneliness.
Beauty in broken branches,
Strength in twisted, storm-beaten tors.

Help me to see that underneath,
If roots go deep enough.
No storm can wreck the life,
That from them reaches to the sky.
​
Help me to remember the important thing...
To stand where God has placed me.

​
I hope you enjoy my painting. ~ Ellen
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30124 Territory Trail 
"The Reservation", Ocean View, DE 19970 

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(302) 539-3405
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  • Home
  • Originals
    • Original oils and pastels
    • Commemorative Celebration Series
    • Paintings in Progress
    • Commissions
  • Strength of Women Series
    • About the Strength of Woman Series
    • Standing on the Rock Vol I
    • The Journey Vol II
    • No Way Out Vol III
    • Freedom Vol 4
    • The Narrow path Vol V
    • Reflection Vol VI
    • In God's Hands Vol VII
    • Whatsoever things are lovely Vol VIII
    • Crystal Block Series
    • Stretched Canvases
  • Celebration Series
  • Prints
    • Indian River Inlet
    • Seascapes and Beach
    • Bay and Marsh Paintings
    • Trees in the Landscape
    • Maps & Treasure Coast History
    • Lighthouses, Coast Guard Stations & Delaware's Watchtowers
    • Mountains & Waterfalls
    • Paintings Created to Uplift
    • Children
    • Dogs & Cats
    • Horses & Chincoteague Island Ponies
    • Nature and Wildlife >
      • Whatsoever Things are Lovely (orchid)
    • Pen, Ink & Watercolor
  • ELLEN'S SMALL GIFTS
    • New Strength Woman Crystal Block Series
    • Porcelain Ornaments featuring Ellen's paintings
    • Wall clocks featuring Ellen's paintings
    • Playing cards featuring shore paintings by Ellen Rice
    • Coasters featuring summertime coastal paintings by Ellen Rice
    • 15 oz. Ceramic Mugs featuring Ellen's paintings
    • Jewelry Keepsake Boxes featuring Ellen's paintings
    • Mousepads featuring Ellen's paintings
    • Bookmarks featuring Ellen's paintings
    • Journals featuring Ellen Rice paintings
  • News & Events
  • American Fine Craft
    • CL Whiting Leaf Leather >
      • Card Cases & Other Small Accessories
      • Classic Handbags
      • Coinpurse & Cosmetic
      • Leather-Edged Bags
      • Small Bags
      • Totes
      • Working Bags
      • Men's Wallets
      • Women's Wallets
    • RAKU - JDavis Inner Spirit Rattles
    • GLASS ART
    • JEWELRY BY THE SHORE >
      • Austin Cake's Sun Sea Sand Sea Glass Jewelry
      • Meg's Prism Sea Glass Jewelry
      • Kim Doughty-Cavagnaro
    • ORNAMENTS >
      • Peter & Robin Morris Copper Ornaments
    • Margie and Bill Lombard
  • About
    • About Ellen Rice
    • Our Staff
    • About Ellen Rice Prints
    • About the Studio
    • Services & Policies
  • Visit the studio, where & when
  • Special Offers
    • Virtual Wall
  • GIFT CARDS
  • Contact