Selecting Subjects

“Shimmering Peony Garden” 40″ x 60″ oil and metal leaf on canvas – $7,000

Even with the isolation of the pandemic, I have never lacked subjects to inspire me to paint. I have many plants and trees in my own garden besides thousands of photos from past photographic trips to forests, aspen groves, test gardens and vineyards. All I have to do is select the subject that inspires me the most at the moment and with the season I want to paint.

“Shimmering Forest” 48″ x 36″ oil and metal leaf on canvas – SOLD

I always enjoy painting the flowers and plants that surround me, but I’m finding that painting trees is not only more of a challenge, but also they give me more possibilities of composition. The contrasts of the blossoms and leaves with the trunks and branches give me a large range of shapes and colors. Over the years I have painted aspens, Japanese maple trees, vine maples, firs, pines and many ornamental and fruit bearing tree

“Blooming Pear Tree” 36″ x 48″ oil and metal leaf on canvas – $4,000

What I enjoy most about painting trees, besides the contrast of textures, are the arcs of the limbs that are formed as the blossoms and leaves weigh them downward.

“Glorious Autumn” 40″ x 60″ oil and metal leaf on canvas – $6,000

I’m currently putting finishing touches on a cherry blossom tree for spring, a winter scene of a Japanese maple tree and an autumn aspen grove. My next subject will be one that I have never painted before – a ginkgo tree.

Please click on my website link to view more paintings as well as links to my galleries and Pomegranate products.

Posted in The Creative Experience | Leave a comment