Colorful Forest

"Colorful Forest" 10"w x 8"h

... Just a colorful Autumn birch stand in some quiet secluded northern Minnesota forest...

Please contact Your Art's Desire for more information on today's painting.

Birch Forest Bounty

"Birch Forest Bounty" 18"w x 18"h

This piece was painted in a theme I'm quite fond of which I collectively call Through The Birches. Last year I thought it would be fun to work on a painting that completely featured the negative space between the trees, and I was so happy with the result that I've continued in the theme over the past year or so. I'm constantly making subtle changes with each piece in this theme, adding more color, working on the composition, working on the size of the birch tree trunks in the foreground. With this piece I ratcheted up the value of the color in the distant maple ridges in all their autumn crimson, gold and orange glory. I worked quite a bit on this piece, trying to get it just perfect before I brought it in to the show. It's that chase of the perfect painting every artist seems to aspire to yet can't quite grasp. The joy of the chase has to be the forefront of your thought process, otherwise you can fall into the pitfall of dissatisfaction with the result. I try to strike a good balance between critiquing my work and enjoying it. Playing with my kids and periodically painting alongside them helps in this chase, they remind me frequently that it's the joy that is most important. Life is short, enjoy the chase, and don't forget to smile. :)
 
This painting featured today is part of my Fall Forests show which may viewed now through mid December, 2013 at First Lutheran Church in Duluth, MN.

Maple Forest Birches

"Maple Forest Birches" 20"w x 16"h

This piece titled Maple Forest Birches continues a series of works I've collectively titled Through The Birches. It's a very simple theme, really. The negative space between the foreground birch trees becomes the subject of the painting. So what I end up with is a vibrant, colorful background which contrasts with the crisp black and white birch trees. In today's piece, the background has several gold maples, a rich brown and red underbrush and a complementary gray blue sky which brightens toward the distant horizon. Many times people have mentioned that they don't really even notice the birch trees at first. I have yet to produce a major work in the this theme, but the time is coming ... I just picked up a few 60"w x 48"h canvases and I just can't wait to work large again. :)

This painting featured today is part of my Fall Forests show which may viewed now through mid December, 2013 at First Lutheran Church in Duluth, MN.