New Work: Edge of the Forest, oil on canvas, 36 x 36 inches

Edge of the Forest, oil on canvas, 36 x 36 inches  $5100 framed

This canvas was finished three times. There are two previous oils painted over here, each version being very different from the others but all three were variations of this line of trees. Each time the work improved with complexity and color and I was happy with the process. In this final, final, final version I made larger, strategic moves to arrive at this point.

In the previous versions the trees stood as one band of color with the light coming in directly from the left. It was a fine look, but after a month in the studio, I wanted the painting to go further. More drama would be helpful, so I aggressively painted in those dark trees on the right. I had a friend watching at the time and after the initial shock of the sudden darks, we both agreed that that move had opened up some exciting and new possibilities.

Now the single band or trees was broken up and to my surprise, it dictated that the light source was now coming in from behind the trees. 

Well that changed things and it also created an opportunity to make the entire painting much brighter.  So straight away, very bright hues were added to the background trees, saturating with an iridescent light. Glowing mauves were added to the trees front / left and the ground below was worked in a way to respond to all of that light coming through.

This last version has set the stage for brighter works to come - an exciting prospect!