Now

This painting is too large to scan in its entirety. The first and last images below are digital photos. Please refer to the detailed scans for a more accurate representation of the rich hues and textures in this piece.

(The image and textures continue around the deep 1.5" sides allowing you to display this piece unframed.)

Now is so richly layered, you just have to touch it. This piece evolved over many days and it has that gorgeous weathered, timeless-yet-modern feel that I so often seek in my work. There are beautiful, subtle hues; varied, touchable textures; and an open, uplifting composition. Featuring a single, proud, towering pine standing alone in a quiet place. This piece also continues my interest in the subtle inclusion of language in art with a single sentence engraved into the paint with a dental tool in the bottom right corner. The words read, "Breathe in this day."

I am hopeful that this unusual, vibrant glimpse of nature will bring a bit of peace and quiet to your home.

Now was painted on a fine, hand-stretched canvas. A fellow in Arizona makes these just for professional artists. It is incredibly sturdy, built on hefty kiln-dried wood that will keep your painting in proper shape for generations. This fellow triple-primes the canvas and then I primed it again with black acrylic gesso. Then, I used my fingers to apply acrylic modeling paste which I pushed into lovely, naturally fluctuating ridges that became a three-dimensional drawing. Next, I used a palette knife to create some loose, colorful, expressionist areas that would eventually become underpainting. Then I used wide soft brushes to lay down thin washes of color. I used a damp rag to rub through some of the washes to allow bits of the underpainting to peak through. And I used a dental tool to "engrave" the words. Finally, I used small detail brushes to paint this grand tree and to add a few highlights.

The image and texture continue around the deep, staple-free sides of the canvas providing a striking profile and allowing you to display your new painting unframed if you like.