Expressive Landscapes

"Weather on the Edge" is an intriquing work that captures the viewer with its evocative portrayal of a landscape where nature's elements converge in a dramatic display. The painting transcends traditional landscape boundaries, offering instead a profound abstraction that speaks to the power and complexity of the natural world. The composition unfolds with an expansive vista where dynamic cloud formations dominate the heavens. These clouds are not mere background elements but are painted with such intensity and swirling motion that they appear as active protagonists in the scene, conveying a palpable energy and tension. 

Artist's note:

"Weather on the Edge" won third place in the juried show "Scapes"

in September, 2024 at the Worcester County Arts Council's gallery in Berlin, MD

framed original available

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 "Velvety Green Meadows" offers a tranquil escape into a lush, serene landscape, where nature's calmness envelops the senses. The green meadows stretch across the canvas, creating a vibrant expanse that feels both boundless and intimate. The verdure is painted with soft, velvety brushstrokes, giving the fields a tactile presence that almost invites touch, enhancing the sensory appeal of the work. The clouds are depicted in a way that emphasizes their three-dimensionality and movement across the sky, drawing the eye upward and adding to the sense of openness and airiness. The interplay between the lush fields and the expansive heavens evokes a feeling of freedom and tranquility, encouraging a reflective pause from the complexities of everyday life.

Artist's note:

Without even realizing it, my hand/brush started smoothing out all the original harsh lines and shapes I had first applied to the canvas. The finished landscape could be a scene viewed in Ireland. 

 Sometimes you just have to go where the unconscious takes you!

giclee prints available

 "Terrain of Many Colors" is a captivating landscape painting that draws the viewer into a vibrant tableau where a serene river winds through an opulent valley. The painting is imbued with a rich spectrum of colors, masterfully applied to produce a scene both lively and tranquil, showcasing the artist's journey into a looser style of expression. The composition is anchored by the river, which acts as a gentle guide through the lush terrain. Impressionistic brushwork evokes movement and energy, creating a sense of depth that invites viewers to explore every nuance of the terrain. Through its vivacious and expressive treatment of the landscape, the artwork speaks to the transformative power of artistic exploration and the boundless inspiration found in nature's diversity.

Artist's note:

This painting was a result of experimenting with brighter colors and softer brushwork for the terrain.

framed original SOLD

 giclee prints available

"My Blue View", rendered in an expressive and naturalistic style, captures the serene beauty of an expansive body of water cradled by rugged rocky shores and dotted with small, lush islands.  The painting's distinguishing feature is its depiction of an overcast or early evening sky, portrayed with muted tones of blues and grays. These hues envelop the scene in a gentle, subdued light, enhancing the peaceful atmosphere while also bestowing an air of contemplative mystery.  Texture plays a pivotal role in this artwork, with deliberate brushstrokes adding dimension to both the landforms and water. The textured application of paint on the rocky shores and the undulating surface of the lake imparts a sense of realism, enabling viewers to almost feel the roughness of the terrain and the gentle movement of water. This textural contrast not only enhances the visual experience but also deepens the emotional resonance of the piece, allowing for an immersive engagement with the landscape.  

Artist's note:

This is the type of scene I love looking at - a water view with land and vegetation.

framed original and giclee prints available

"LAST TO LEAVE" is a captivating work of art that intricately blends harmonious hues with a serene subject to create an atmosphere of peaceful contemplation. The composition centers on a solitary bird, pictured mid-flight during a transition time of day that could be dawn or dusk. Subtle elements, such as distant, drifting clouds or faint hints of landmass, suggest a horizon that leads the viewer's eye through the composition. This thoughtful placement of visual components creates a sense of balance and coherence, adding layers of intrigue and inviting contemplation about the natural cycles of change and transition.

Artist's note:

I started "LAST TO LEAVE" with turquoises and aqua, then added the complementary colors purple and yellow. The painting needed grounding and a focal, so that's where the heron and black shadows in the land forms came in.

In "As the Fog Lifts" blues and greens seamlessly blend to evoke an atmosphere of mist and introspection. These soft hues imbue the scene with a sense of calm and serenity, reminiscent of a quiet morning when nature slowly reveals itself as the fog begins to dissipate. This limited palette choice not only enhances the mood of the piece but also draws focus to the single bird that epitomizes the simplicity yet profoundness of its surroundings.  "As the Fog Lifts" encourages viewers to pause and reflect, offering a serene escape into a moment where time seems beautifully suspended.

Artist's note:

When on vacation. I'll get up very early (5ish) and go to areas where I am likely to spot and photograph the local birds. This painting is a recreation of an ibis spotting in Costa Rica; I used only a few colors to create a foggy and dreamlike landscape.