Called to Paint Bigger

I paint to worship the Earth. It's not so much a religious or spiritual practice as it is a need to honor the abundant beauty and selflessness of nature. 

Over the years I have collected hundreds of reference photos. Many of which I will never get to. But for those that do captivate me, demand my attention and seek to be my muse; a large canvas is often the only acceptable route to pay homage. 

The photo pictured above is one such image. The contrasting lights and shadows, the sense of depth and the sporadic arrangement of dancing grasses and foliage in the foreground all combine to a near perfect composition. 

Sometimes when this is the case, I can find myself feeling almost intimidated by the beauty before me. Often thinking: "Why do I even try? I could never outdo the Earth. Her beauty and presence is unmatched." But the a gentle reminder enters my consciousness, It is not my aim to recreate what nature has already perfected. Rather, it is my desire to create an impression of the moment, the scene, the feeling. I do not want to compete with the Earth; I simply want to worship her.

Below is a my progress on the painting I currently have on my easel. The canvas is 24x30. Much larger than lately. It feels incredibly freeing to have the space to embrace a more gestural approach to painting.  The photos shows a rough sketch done in pastel on a white primed canvas, followed by an underpainting and a couple more layers of paint that bring the trees near completion. I will likely add a few finishing touches after I begin working on my favorite part: the grass and foliage on the bottom half of the painting.