Open Heart Print

Painted on-site in the artist's neighborhood in Minneapolis with oil over casein paint on canvas. Features a maple tree in an autumn landscape of rich, blue sky, falling leaves, and golden grasses. The shape and color of the tree evoke the image of a heart, with a slight split between right and left sides and a shock of brilliant red in the center. Painted in evening light under a partly overcast sky, the smoldering shading and saturated colors are displayed to best effect. The texture of the foliage is enhanced by palette knife work, and incorporates iridescent paint in shades of gold, burgundy, and mauve, as well as touches of brilliant red, pink and coral. Painting continues onto the sides of the stretched canvas, and is ready to hang.