Blog

Tapestry

Since the beginning of the year I have been making some changes in my studio practice, the goal is to implement a more holistic approach to my painting, forming  a common thread that combines painting, teaching and writing.  I have updated my website to reflect what has been going on behind the scenes.

Pamo Valley is the featured artwork on my new website home page. About this time last year, it was still on the easel. In retrospect, I see now it was a starting point, a first step in a new direction.

Inspired by a plein air sketch of the valley, the studio version became extreme rectangle (1:2 ratio) that I used in my class to demonstrate composition and classical painting techniques. I realized that the traditional methods I was teaching - underpainting and glazing, are perfect for capturing the complexity of the local chaparral and river valleys; weaving together textures, tones and colors to create a backcountry tapestry.