Redtree Times

Another year, another first painting of that year…

This is tentatively titled  The Coming Light  and is a continuation of the Red Roof series from several years ago that I mentioned in an earlier post.  It’s a 16″ by 20″ canvas and  is painted in a more traditional, additive way than my typical work.  By that, I mean that the paint is continually added to build up the surface.  Typically, my work consists of adding layers of paint then removing much of it until I reach a level of coverage that suits my eye.  Kind of like carving away the paint to reveal what is hidden in it.

The piece to the right is an early experiment in my normal technique and a good example of what I’m trying to describe.  The paper was originally covered with a layer of dark blue-violet paint.  I then went back in and began to lift the paint to create layers of differing coverage to reveal the forest floor and tree trunks.  This became the basis for the technique that  is used in the bulk of my work.

When I do paint in a different fashion, such as in The Coming Light above, the important thing for me is to maintain my style throughout the work.  I want someone who has only seen my typical work to immediately recognize this as mine and to feel the same emotions that I hope are raised.  This continuum is vital and I think this piece achieves the desired goal well.  

I’m working on a larger piece in this manner that I will show in the next week or so.  Stay tuned…