During this coronavirus pandemic, my friend decided to commission work from me, asking simply for “mountains.”
So, I completed two mountain paintings. The first, titled “Mountains,” I also talked about in a video post on Instagram and Facebook.
This painting looks like a fun hiking venture, and was kind of a meditation on complementary colors in the sunset. Great to inspire climbing higher and ever higher!
Foothills in the Rain
I followed this painting with one about foothills. I decided I wanted to work with a broad stretch of land with broken sunlight, highlighting foothills at the base of more distant mountains. So, I followed with about a two-foot by three-foot painting titled “Foothills in the Rain “
Idaho, where I live, is currently experiencing a tremendous drought and record-breaking high temperatures, along with its neighboring states. Because of this dry heat and the requirement to stay indoors during the coronavirus pandemic, I felt that the painting’s subject of a familiar recreating spot cooled by a merciful rain was an inspired choice.
In terms of composition and perspective, I used layering ideas. I chose not to have a competing foreground, allowing the foothills the focus.
Beat the Heat!
This commission required dedicated thought and work over time, and at times, in the oppressive heat, I grew impatient, but I always resolved thoughts to my satisfaction.
This painting is an expression of gratitude and thanksgiving because the vibrant colors seem to glow more brightly in the broken and overcast light. The path at the base of the foothills invites you into the scene to feel these emotions.
It always gives me hope that even when my life seems to be in a whirlwind of difficulty, the trees are still quietly reaching skyward, the mountains and hills are stretching across the earth, and the water cycle will eventually bring the land relief.
Conclusion
If you’re inspired to explore more of my website, please do! These mountain paintings are under the Nature category.
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Let’s hope for rain on parched summer days!