HOME FROM THE FARM

Lately, I have found that i really enjoy the process of creating landscapes entirely from memory. After years of painting from reference photos, it is exciting to manipulate reality to fit how the memory looks in my minds eye.

These landscapes are my most recent, and represent three entirely different places in entirely different times, and yet they live concurrently in my memory bank of images. By looking at them next to each other it is evident that I like to simplify and rub off the rough edges and keep only certain parts of a memory. I would suppose that everyone does much the same thing, but in my case it is part of the design process.

TUSCAN HILLS

The process of designing and creating these landscapes means that certain elements take precedence and come into prominence as the work takes shape. In most cases I am unaware until well into the process what features will become key.  Afterwards I always know when it is right, because it fits the memory and feels complete, even if parts have had to be eliminated.

It is a challenge to make these memories come alive, and to be able to share them with others in such a complete way, is very satisfying. Enjoy!

HEAVY WEATHER

HEAVY WEATHER 18X24 $900

The impact of weather approaching over the long flat expanses of the Midwest has a very unique feel, and it is a very strong visual memory.

My family spent some time in Kansas City, Kansas. I was initially amazed that it was so cosmopolitan and yet a heartbeat away you were in the plains … looking at farmland for as far as you could see. That was a long time ago of course, and I’m sure much has changed … but the memory is still as strong as ever.

This piece expresses much the same sense of an unchanging and changeable world. The sense of an invincible and staunch world at the mercy of weather and circumstances is never more visible than in the lone barns and homes that dot the landscape of the plains.

I like the concept of the buildings standing strong against whatever weather comes.  These barns are seasoned warriors.They hang in there whatever comes.

I guess I will never really stop with the landscapes … even as I continue exploring life in precarious times. And, I suppose that this landscape is no different … after all life on a the Great Plains can be precarious indeed.