Wall Decor by D. Lawrence Barksdale

10/25/2025

http://barksdaledecor.etsy.com

10/20/2025

At the first hint of dawn, you glide onto Lake Caddo like some majestic swamp explorer—although, in truth, you’re mostly just trying not to drop your thermos into the water. The world is hushed and still, the surface of the lake glassy and smooth, reflecting streaks of pink and gold like Mother Nature got into your Lightroom presets a little early.

The cypress trees rise up around you, draped in Spanish moss that sways gently like a slow-dancing prom couple from the 1970s. The air smells of damp earth, lake water, and a hint of “something funky” that you choose to believe is just nature being natural, and definitely not a nearby gator giving you the side-eye.

Egrets flap overhead as though annoyed that you showed up before they had coffee. A great blue heron lets out a raspy squawk—nature’s version of “Keep it down, I’m sleeping!” Somewhere in the distance, frogs croak a rhythmic soundtrack that sounds suspiciously like they’re beatboxing to impress each other.

Your paddle dips into the water: shhhhlp… drip… shhhhlp… drip. Every sound is exaggerated in the quiet, like the lake has built-in surround sound meant just for you. There’s a soft mist curling over the water, theatrical and moody, as if Hollywood hired a fog machine to film your heroic entrance.

And as the sun finally breaks over the cypress canopy, you realize you’re witnessing one of the most peaceful, surreal, almost mystical scenes in Texas—without even one mosquito biting you yet. A miracle. Sure, in 20 minutes you’ll be swatting bugs like a wild person, but for now? It’s just you, the swamp, and a sunrise that makes waking up at 4:30 a.m. feel like a good decision.

01/26/2024

barksdaledecor.etsy.com

01/06/2024

OK... I put together what hopefully will be the first of several 11x17 wall calendars for the upcoming year... if you are interested in purchasing one, they are $29.99 plus tax and shipping. I need to know how many want one, so that I can have the right number printed. Please DM me if interested.

01/01/2024

12/28/2023

Thinking of putting together a wall calendar for 2024 that featured my landscape work.. would anyone be interested in something like that if the price were reasonable?