Into Blue
Oil on canvas, 48 x 36 inches
Exhibited: Breckenridge Gallery, Breckenridge, CO
Private collection, Rancho Mirage, CA
 
My thanks to the very supportive collector of this oil.
 
About this oil:
I am a lot about the color of things and that is the focus of this painting. There is a lot of pattern here along with the light and dark contrasts and it sets up a lot of opportunities for color variations.
 
This isn’t a portrait of a forest but a number of forest elements are used to create a dramatic stage for what would come next. That’s when the question arises, so what IS next?
 
First were the darks in all of their variations and the blues going in strong. Opposing that were the yellows and greens. At this point I couldn’t decide if the yellows or greens would be dominant.
 
It became a matter all of the colors and along the way, to create more interest, so I tried out the idea of adding pinks and golds and suddenly, the entire painting started to sing.
 
Things were coming together quickly and I took a short break to leave the studio and come back with a fresh eye. It was apparent that the last moves necessary where to to push the pinks, golds and yellows. I jumped right in like a kid in a playground since that is where all of the light was coming in. I really didn’t want to stop but at last, there was nothing left to do… everything was in its place.