She issued the following statement:

“Where is your Home? Where is your Soul’s Home?

“I am so fortunate to have found both here in Western New York state. As an artist and fine art nature photographer residing in Chautauqua County, I have had the great fortune of spending endless hours exploring our region’s silent woodlands and wild waters. I enter a grove of towering, old growth forest, or I set foot upon the shore of one of our precious, treasured lakes, and my soul becomes quiet. I know I am home.

“Camera in hand, I sit for awhile before lifting the lens. I listen, touch, smell, and sometimes taste, as well as see.

Submitted Photo Artist Audrey Dowling, ceramics and painting will also be participating this year’s Art Trail, which takes place May 26-27, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“The dappled, leaf-filtered sunlight, silently touching the forest floor.

“The damp, earthy smell of fallen leaves as a squirrel dashes by, and up a tree..

“The sweet, clear sunshine on my face as my bare toes are buried in the warming sands of the summer beach.

“Often, it can be the frigid, wild winds that whip across my beloved Lake Erie, lifting the waves to spectacular, sculptural heights.

“Only then do I begin to shoot, creating images that express my experience and sense of place; capturing the emotion of the moment.

“This body of work created for Art Trail 2018 is a result of many of these special times, as I remain forever in awe of our wondrously wild Western New York.”

Meanwhile, Artist Audrey Dowling, ceramics and painting will also be on hand. Her studio is located at Portage Hill Art Gallery Hub, 6439 S. Portage Road, Westfield.

“I am currently working on new mixed media block print work and expect to also have several new pots for the art trail weekend,” she said.

Also, artist Audrey Dowling, who does ceramics and painting will be participating. Her work will also be displayed at the Portage Hill Art Gallery.

“I am currently working on new mixed media block print work and expect to also have several new pots for the art trail weekend,” she said.

This free event is sponsored by the North Shore Arts Alliance. For more information about this year’s Art Trail, visit www.northShoreArtsAlliance.com or visit the Facebook pages for the North Shore Arts Alliance and Chautauqua-Lake Erie Art Trail.