Rhododendron at the Peaks

Parkway Series #181  12 x 16   oil   Sold

The series of paintings this week and part of next week are from the Peaks of Otter.  The rhododendron near the lodge were in full bloom.  This path is between the lodge and the dining hall; the late afternoon lighting added a magical effect to the incredible beauty of the moment.

In search of rhododendron

Parkway Series #180   12 x 16   oil   Sold

I am in search of rhododendron on the mountains.  The next few paintings will record my journey north and south to find the soft pinks and vibrant magentas of the wild "rhodos".  I was amazed at this rock with actually  reflected the same colors.

Capturing Beauty

Parkway Series #179   12 x 16   oil   sold

My attention was pulled away from the trail into this woodland area by the sunlight filtering through the trees onto the warm forest floor.  The highlighted area of grass was flooded with light but individual leaves were sparkling everywhere with shimmering light.  It is really hard to do justice to the beauty of some moments.  My soul wants to capture the essence of this earthly beauty but sometimes it really is beyond our finite minds and talents to do it.  There is an ethereal, supernatural beauty that our soul longs for that we will not really know how to describe or paint until we come face to face with it in Heaven!

Within Shadows

Parkway Series #178  12 x 16   oil    Sold

Painting within shadows is an interesting exercise.  If you squint your eyes you should not see any value change within the shadowed areas.  Creating different colors of the same value is not as easy as you would think.  I believe I was successful in this painting working with similar color values within larger shadowed shapes.

Looking Up

Parkway Series #177  12 x 16   oil     Sold

Wearing bi-focals, I am very careful when it comes to going up and down stairs or when hiking deeply rutted trails.  Because, most of the time, I am so intensely looking at the trails, I am always amazed when I look up! What an incredible lesson is in this thought!

Shadow Patterns

Parkway Series #176  12 x 16   oil  sold

Hiking down from Linville Falls, I found myself in the midst of rhododendron shadows.  The patterns on the ground were so interesting that I knew there was a painting before me.  Of course, there are no shadows without light;  I am finding that as this series progresses, it is the "Light" for which  I am continually searching.

Iron Mine Hollow

Parkway Series # 175   12 x 16   oil   Sold

The implied lines of the clouds, mountains and rocks all seem to converge into the center of this painting.  The focal point, however, is pushed to the right side, with the darkest dark and lightest light being in the foreground area of rocks.  After teaching composition for many years, it is great to be able to now compose for myself with either the camera or the paint brush!