In October I had the incredible opportunity to stay and paint in the hills above Lucca at Casa Berti for a few weeks. In this painting I was trying to capture the feeling I experienced of living in rhythm with the land. The terraced olive trees around the villas and the vineyards set the calendar, even dominating conversations between friends and neighbors. Olives are ready to harvest when they are ready. The olive tree will not bend to man's pace or his schedule.