This is a 24″ by 24″ canvas that I finished yesterday. I am still going back and forth on the title between Ascendant and Ascent of Man. Obviously, you could tell without seeing it that it has something to do with a hill, mountain or mound, which comes as no surprise for those of you who know my work. Using a form of the word ascend denotes a climb of some sort, either in actuality or metaphorically. Both initially come to mind for me when I look at this piece.
Maybe it’s the way the hill rises from amid the verdant forest and river that brings the title Ascent of Man to mind. While not necessarily in direct reference to Charles Darwin‘s work, I definitely see a symbol of an evolutionary nature in the way the path moves upward through a series of switchbacks, several houses perched on its edge as it rises denoting man as he evolves from the earth and water. The golden sky breaking over the edge of the treeline adds a richness, a sense of fertility, that adds flavor to this whole stew.
The Red Tree at the peak of the hill symbolizes the present, the now that is the culmination of all that has come before. Evolution, ancestry, history– whatever you choose to call it– has brought each of us to our own personal peaks. We are all the sum of all that has led each of us to the present moment.
I really enjoyed painting this piece. That’s not to say that I don’t find enjoyment of some sort in every painting. Just the sheer thrill of seeing something form before my eyes and under my hand is always enjoyable. No, it’s a different type of enjoyment that I’m talking about here. It felt complete even before it was completely laid out in the initial stage of composition as I worked on the underpainting. It felt right and balanced from the start which allowed an excitement to grow, an anticipation of how the painting would form and change with each subsequent layer of paint.
It’s that excitement that I have talked about before when I describe what motivates me in the studio. I have often said when asked about this that the most important thing for me is finding that thing that excites me in the work, that thing that makes me feel the piece is beyond me. That is usually the sign for me that the work is going to excite others and that’s what I felt here.
But, as always, we will have to see about that…
Redtree Times 
Love the choice of the Red Tree on top and your sky is wonderful with this painting. It said a celebration of life to me.
Thanks so much. I, too, think of it as being celebratory.
On Mon, May 13, 2013 at 9:34 AM, Redtree Times
If it were my choice, I would title it “Switchbacks”. The path from A to B (or from birth to death, for all that) never is a straight one. I love the way this painting captures the zig-zagginess of life.
“Switchbacks” is a good title and if I don’t use it here, I will hang on to it. I’m sure an opportunity to use it will come up at some point.
On Mon, May 13, 2013 at 9:59 AM, Redtree Times
I’m afraid I couldn’t help but think of this classic song:
That’s funny because I often think of my little houses whenever I hear this song.
On Mon, May 13, 2013 at 7:12 PM, Redtree Times
I like “Ascendant.” it’s more open ended, a little ambiguous. It implies success, triumph, overcoming, rising, but does not assign it to any particular thing in the painting. The red tree could be the ascendant, as it’s at the top of the hill. The sun could be in the ascendant (rising). It can also mean “one who ascends” –such as going up the road to the top of the hill. The road itself ascends the hill. I, for one, like a more open ended title to a painting. Makes you think about the image more when you try to work out why the painting was given that title.
Yes, I think “Ascendant” works better for just the reason you cite. I usually try to go with the more ambiguous option whenever there is a choice to be made.