Back to the Sun

Parkway Series #66   11 x 14   oil     Sold        prints now available 

There are more snow paintings to come, but my body perceives a Vitamin D deficiency coming on if I do not paint sunlight for more than two days. This is heading around the bend south of Vinton just before you cross Yellow Mountain Road.  I could not resist the low sun, and long shadows.  And the color of the mountain was so blue!

Monochrome

Parkway Series #65   11 x 14    oil    Sold

At first I was thinking that monochromatic color was the hurdle but I think the lack of sun and definitive shadows was the biggest stretch for me.  I am so used to painting contrast that harmony is harder to achieve due to the subtle gradations in value.  I wish I could have gotten to the top of those gorgeous mountains on Sunday when the sun was out but the Parkway was closed.  I guess I'll have to keep practicing these low key paintings.  I'm sure the more I paint the more comfortable I will become.

Snow!!!

Parkway Series #64   11 x 14     oil    Sold

I quickly headed for the Parkway Saturday morning, drove north from 460 as far as road conditions would allow, then went south toward Vinton until the snow turned to rain.  How exciting and beautiful to see the world white!!!  My fears of blue and gray were quickly overcome!!  Painting snow however, is new and feels so different from the red-orange palette I am used to mixing.  I need more practice with this.  Hopefully more is to come!!!

Blue Shadows

Parkway Series #63   12 x 16   oil    Sold

I have painted this scene before in a horizontal format using cool colors. (See #56) Changing color temperature gives a whole different feel to this painting.  The complements of orange and blue also differ from the more analogous colors used in the first rendition, adding a bit more energy to this painting.

Remembrances

Parkway Series #62   12 x 16    oil    Sold      prints now available

This painting reminds me of something in my childhood.  I think the flatness of the land and the tall trees remind me more of the Piedmont area of Virginia ( I grew up in Chesterfield)  than the mountains.  I really like the colors of light and shadow on the ground.  It is interesting how we are drawn to nostalgic images and colors from our past.

Unusual Perspective

Parkway Series #61    12 x 16   oil    $85.

A friend of mine, Beth Simmons, took this photograph and gave me permission to paint it.  I would love to paint it again on a much larger canvas.  Great perspective and great composition! Thanks, Beth.

Peaks of Otter Bridge II

Parkway Series #60     12 x 16   oil    Sold

I've had several requests for another bridge scene;  this is one of the most remembered scenes at the Peaks.  Even after the trees have shed their leaves, its beauty still remains.