Sometimes a Tree #4 Print

“Sometimes a Tree” is one in a series of paintings moving toward what will be my version of techniques developed in the first half of the twentieth century by Canadian painters such as Emily Carr. They created wonderfully expressive paintings of grand outdoor scenes and also exquisite painting of shady glades in the deep forests. Unlike the Canadians, all of my work is slightly whimsical. My general happiness comes through all my paintings as an understated colorful lightness. I do not feel bound by ideas of color and hope viewers appreciate that. We live in an era where nearly every car is gray. My cousin built and furnished a large house in shades of gray, inside and out, yes, gray. I may paint a sky orange, not because it is sunset, but just because it is orange. When we see objects in nature, when we see them closely and carefully, we discover that nearly all natural objects display multiple colors. The bark of a maple tree, seen up close, is anything but brown. It is full of purple, red, various tans, and even some yellow. Knowing this gives me great license. You and I may paint them any color we like. I use acrylics. I like to paint steadily. Not fast. I have little regard to doing anything fast except maybe driving or skiing. Acrylics have all the range of possibility that oils have and they dry much faster. I can paint a fence post, mix a little green, and then paint grasses right over that post. An idea, an inclination, does not have to be held until the next day. You can just keep painting, not quite “stream of consciousness” but nearly so.