Arabia Mountain

SITE DESCRIPTION

Arabia Mountain: Dekalb County, GA

Arabia Mountain, Panola Mountain, and Stone Mountain are examples of one of the more unique geological features close to Atlanta. The granite monadnocks located in the Piedmont eco-region are more numerous in Georgia than any other state. A monadnock can be a flat area, a knob, or a small mountain that rises from a surrounding flat or gently sloping area. Geologists are uncertain how they are formed exactly but, they have postulated that they may have their origins in either volcanic activity, or weathering. In the case of weathering, the presumption is that a softer rock or soil was eroded, exposing a denser and more tightly jointed rock underneath. Arabia Mountain is marked by both light bands of igneous rock and darker bands of metamorphosed sentiment. 

A hot dry climate (at times as hot as 122 degrees) prevails as a result of an ecosystem in which shallow or non existent soil prevents trees, bushes, and undergrowth from establishing roots. Lightening strikes are frequent but, the resulting fire is usually short-lived due to the sparseness of vegetation. Succulents, cactus, and lichens, vegetation more akin to the southwest, thrive here. Both the vernal pools (standing pools of water with rimmed sides) and the solution pits (shallow pools with a gravel bed) experience spells of drought. Velvety mosses, the striking red, diamorpha and other plants unique to this ecosystem are zonal in their natural growing habit.

THE ARTIST’S PERSPECTIVE

With its easy access, unlike Panola Mountain, and with the vegetation not as heavily trafficked as Stone Mountain, Arabia Mountain in many ways offers a more paint-able landscape. Small stands of vertical trees contrast the expansive rock planes and hills. The large boulders that dot the mountain give mass as they are contrasted against an expanse of sky. Sweeping vistas (which are so rare in our heavily forested region), numerous standing pools of water, and arcing swaths of low growing vegetation, offer an alternative to the “wall of green” that we painters so often feel enclosed by in Georgia. Where ever you turn here, inspiration will find the artist or nature lover.

THE PAINTING EXPERIENCE, 2015.03.08.

Junko Ono Rothwell, Linda Ely, and myself, Nancy Hunter, painted on site on one of the few sunny days we’ve had in many weeks. Visitors were heavy that day but, I always welcome the crowds because I feel safer with more people. The wind was not too bad but, increased in voracity as the day wore on. A trek to the top of the mountain was not too, taxing and proved rewarding as the heavy rains left many standing pools of water there. The diamorpha had just recently made its appearance and was not yet showing its white flower.

Nancy Hunter, 'Arabia Mountain; the Frog Pond', Oil/Canvas, 8 x 16"

Junko Ono Rothwell, 'Diamorpha Blooming at Arabia Mountain,
Oil/Canvas, 11 x 14"

Linda Ely, 'Respite before Summit', Oil/Canvas, 11 x 14"