There is so much beauty that can be found in our natural surroundings. Different times of the day and changing seasons can bring new discoveries in how landscapes and foliage appear. A mundane scene can explode with color and interest under a change in sunlight or turning of leaves from summer to fall. In my newest series, Seasonal Changes in the Tetons, I explore the mountains and record my findings through paintings of landscapes around my home on the west side of the Teton Mountain Range.
I usually find inspiration while out on my mountain bike, or hiking around the area. Once I discover an interesting scene or feature, I will photograph it and note the location and time of day. I then return to the location to shoot detailed photographs and complete a quick color study on location. I use these references to create the larger, studio paintings at home. I work in oil paint on canvas or hard board. My work is an impressionistic style with visible brushstrokes and layering of paint. I spend about a month on each painting, allowing layers to dry before applying more paint on top. This approach gives the painting depth and texture. Through my paintings, I hope to give people the chance to see what I see while exploring my surroundings. I hope they feel a connection to the scenery and reflect on a time they have witness such things themselves. Photographs rarely capture the unique way sunlight, landscape, plants, and trees can come together to create a stunning image. It is primarily through painting that an artist can reveal fleeting glimpses of nature’s beauty. |